Computer Gurus - RAM

[JAS6377]

TL;DR at the bottom.

Howdy, all. I just finished a PC build based around my brother in law's old mobo/cpu. It's got a Phenom II 2.8 GHz quad-core, 240 GB SSD, 1 TB HDD, 835 W PSU, Nvidia GeForce GT530 (soon to be a GTX750), dual booting Windows 8 and Ubuntu. The issue (maybe) is that it's only got 4GB of DDR2 RAM (4x1 GB). I'm looking to upgrade the primary channel to 8 GB (2x4 GB) for a total of 10 to reduce swap space on Linux and for overall gaming performance. I found inexpensive RAM online that matches the voltage, timing, and latency of my current sticks.

Main question (TL;DR): Has anyone had any issues using different brands/sizes of RAM, given that each set will be on its own channel?

Thanks!

[jdoorn14]

You should double check the specs on the motherboard to make sure whether it will handle all memory slots full and if it wants the larger/faster in particular slots.

I like g.skill myself. The last 24 GB or so of RAM I've bought has all been this brand. Other than that, I've always like crucial and corsair for RAM.

Which AMD socket did that CPU use? I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better for you to upgrade the motherboard to something that supports DDR3 RAM.


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[yamahonkawazuki]

Ive tried not to mix ram preferred corsair over gskill. Mm that aside the rams speed will default to the slower clocks. Going to add more before long to my tower after I get a psu. Card I have is running on the existing one,  which it shouldn't be doing.  You could mix if you wish, but imho, dont unless its a must. Pull and keep for spares

[JAS6377]

Yeah, I've been looking around and found a couple nice 4x2GB sets that I might consider.

jdoorn, I was thinking about that. It's an AM3 socket CPU that will support DDR3, but I'm going to wait to get an FM2 or similar so I can also get PCI 3.0. I'm running on 1.0 lol. I'm going to save as much as I can so I can drop it all at once on a new CPU, mobo, and RAM.

[yamahonkawazuki]

I miss quadzilla. I built a pc 5 years ago using an amd phenom II 940 black. 3.0 x 4 I clocked it to 3.5 with maybe a 2c increase in temps. I averaged 46c on a heavy load. looking to get another one before too long. picked that one up on eb ay for I think it was 48 shipped. which at the time was awesome. after a bios flash, my mobo saw it for what it was and the corsair supported the OC.

[jdoorn14]

Yeah, I've been looking around and found a couple nice 4x2GB sets that I might consider.

jdoorn, I was thinking about that. It's an AM3 socket CPU that will support DDR3, but I'm going to wait to get an FM2 or similar so I can also get PCI 3.0. I'm running on 1.0 lol. I'm going to save as much as I can so I can drop it all at once on a new CPU, mobo, and RAM.

Only thing about that plan that seems awkward to me is that FM2 processors are integrated CPU/GPU on single chipset. You lose that benefit if you immediately drop in a PCI 3.0 GPU. Unless I'm missing something of course. I haven't looked at processors much lately as my current PC is quite speedy enough for my purposes.


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[Watcher]

You are aware that you don't have to fill all available RAM slots, correct?

In my experience buying RAM that is larger per stick is usually cheaper than buying more sticks with less capacity.  So, 8x2 is cheaper than 4x4.

You don't even have to pair them, you can run a single stick...


+1 on Corsair RAM.  I have 16 GB in my current rig and had 8GB in my last from them and it never had an issue.

[Kijona]

I managed to build my computer when the 3-channel memory thing was...a thing. I didn't really want it but I got it. So my computer has a strange amount, 6GB of RAM (3x2GB). It's Crucial which I personally really like.

Bought G-Skill for my mom's computer. I was reasonably impressed with it as well.

Prior I was a big believer in Mushkin RAM. I don't know how they're doing these days. The power supply I bought from them was really nice too.

[jdoorn14]

The additional piece to keep in mind is that the price of DDR2 RAM is generally higher than DDR3 for the same capacity due to the fact that DDR2 is aging technology and the systems that use it as standard are becoming antiquated.


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[JAS6377]

Thank you all. I've taken a lot of this discussion into consideration. I think I might do what Yama said and grab a 4x2 kit if I can find one cheap enough, and just keep the current RAM as backup. That should negate any compatibility issues. Or I could suck it up and stick with 4 GB for now lol.

On the subject of the FM2 socket, I completely agree. But I've never been a huge fan of integrated GPUs, especially for a performance machine. If I could afford it, I'd go Haswell. But that's a bit out of my price range lol. Basically what I'm looking for is DDR3 and PCI 3.0 support so I can use the full potential of that 750. That's a ways down the road, though.

Edt: Wow, so after doing some more thorough research, it seems that PCI 3.0 doesn't have much over 2.0, besides a slight speed boost. So I may as well keep my CPU and grab a new AM3+ mobo with some decent DDR3. For around $300, I could have a 2600 MHz FSB mobo with 16 GB DDR3. Time to save those pennies lol.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Well 4gb now is what 2gb used to be. The standard. Im running 2gb atm. Which foreverything except arma 2 at full tilt ai battle, runs everything decently. Am waiting to upgrade . Anything till I grab a better psu. What youve listed seems to b e a decent build imho

[Watcher]

I'm running 16 gigs and even with Battlefield 4 at max burn I only use about 20% of it...

[yamahonkawazuki]

THAT would be awesome.

[Kijona]

THAT would be awesome.

That WOULD be awesome, or is awesome? 

[JAS6377]

Is. We'll go with is lol. With that being said, though, it seems like 8 is the sweet spot for about 40-50% usage on heavy loads.

[Watcher]

I couldn't resist.  At the time and with the brand/type I wanted it was a negligible amount more for twice the RAM.

I got Corsair Vengeance 2x8GB 1866 for $109.99.  Now the same RAM is $189.99. How I got so lucky I don't know.
The same speed RAM in 2x4GB is currently $104.99.  I don't remember what it was at the time for that size, I think it was only at most a $20 difference.

16GB for $110?  Would you all say no?


I made off like a bandit that day!  I also got an EVGA Z77 FTW motherboard, which had an MSRP of around $310, for about half that at $169.99 AND it had a $20 mail in rebate!  It wasn't even a refurb or out of box or anything, brand new with the factory seal still on the box!

Intel Core i5 3570K unlocked processor, EVGA Z77 FTW motherboard, and 16 gigs of Corsair Vengeance RAM all for less than $500 including tax?   

My whole PC was a steal.  I bought a pair of GTX570s and an Antec 1200 off a friend for $350, put in a $150 Corsair HX850 PSU, and called it a night at ~$1000.

[Kiwingenuity]

Edit - double up

[Kiwingenuity]

Ram prices can be amazingly fickle depending on exchange rates and shipments. 

I remember back a while after the Kobe earthquake which levelled a bunch of RAM factories including probably the only one that was still producing 72pin EDO - NZ$600 for 512Mb of EDO ram.. I had a bunch of it since my system had migrated to SDRAM by then, swapped a bunch of it for new monitor, PSU and video card.

I currently have 8Gb of Corsair vengeance in my home PC clocked at 1666 FSB, seems to be fine in Win7.  I know some boards get very upset it you mismatch ram, especially if you have 1666Mhz ram clocked back to 1333. (I.E a pair of 1333 + 1666).

Speaking of making off like a bandit - I just got offered an upgrade to my old 560Ti up to a GTX580.  A friend of mine just upgraded to an R9 270x - US$100 for a reasonably new GTX 580.. I am not complaining...

[yamahonkawazuki]

dayamn. remember the tsunami?, before, I could buy, a 1tb hdd, for around 75 shipped to my door. ( needing to find one.) after my previous employer sold out, the systems were going to be reloaded, converted to new owners. the guys wouildnt evben keep the win 7 pro dvd and key. so they bought new one. so I kept the old one lol. cant beat the price. now, waiting til I can get a decent psu, ( very much needed) then build upwards. the psu, plus the recent card upgrade  which would migrate to new comp. I run the display using hdmi through an old 1080p 46" lcd tv.  works great for gaming. it even passes the atomic bomb test in garrys mod
similar to this. when I set off one I MIGHT go down to 25 fps. I set off 4 at same time the computer cries.  aka 2-5 fps. a mega lag fail. id build a pc for somebody, and temporarily install this program to test it. ( bought gmod 3 years ago at Christmas for my gaming pc named quadzilla. the amd phenom x2 940 black cpu. stock @ 3.0x4, clocked it to 3.5 on air. IT did a 4 bomb test at 20 fps. temps never went above 48 c  btw futuremakr also has a good testing program even the free edition.