new 2x4gb ram

adam1234

adam1234

adam1234

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Joined
10 Dec 2009
Posts
35
Hi,
I'm thinking of getting 2x4gb ram sticks to upgrade my computer.

motherboard: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3502#ov

current 2x2gb: http://www.geil.com.tw/products/showSpec/id/189

I'd really not want to have to go into bios and change settings so do i have to make sure all the CAS values are the same and the MHz value?
I'd actually not mind if I just don't use the 2x2gb anymore
What do I have to make sure matches the motherboard? is it only the ddr3 and p55?

Thanks.
 
Do you want to use the 2x4GB along with the existing 2x2GB to give 12GB?

Do you have a 64bit operating system?

Is your system overclocked?
 
yea would prefer to use the exsisting 2x2gb, though i think I've heard that having all slots taken is slightly bad?
Yea its a windows 7 64bit. and no its not overclocked at all.
Thanks.
 
Using all 4 slots can cause problems with overclocking. As you've not overclocked it doesn't make any difference but it would be more difficult in the future.

Running 2 different types of memory is an issue. They would all have to run at the same timings and voltage.

The fastest 8GB kit OcUK sell is this one:

Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-15000C9 1866MHz Dual Channel Kit

This is 1866MHz, 9-9-9-24 at 1.5V.

You would have to overclock the Corsair or downclock your existing RAM (or both) so they matched.

You would also have to match the timings and voltage that both sets would happily run at.
 
Last edited:
To set up pretty much all RAM sticks you will have to go into the BIOS at some stage to set the timings, voltage, frequency manually or enable an XMP memory profile to do it automatically (your board does support this).

If you aren't overclocking the CPU then you should be OK running four memory modules at once, however - due to the extra strain on the memory controller due to four sticks you may not be able to run the modules at such high frequencies (I would aim for 1600MHz at the maximum). Also, you may have issues with compatibility going with a 2x4GB kit from a different manufacturer.

Personally I would suggest going for this kit, it's good quality, low profile, good price, xmp enabled and gets along with most boards well.

may i ask what frequency and timings your current ram is running at? you can check using CPU-Z and going into the "memory" tab.
 
adam1234 said:
Only just noticed your reply cmndr andi.
CPUZ shows:
NB freq: 2103.8MHz
DRAM freq: 665.9MHz
Click to expand...

Your existing memory is running at 1331.8MHz (665.9*2).

You'll need to adjust the memory multiplier in the BIOS.

You might as well wait until you get your new RAM before doing this.
 
Surveyor said:
Your existing memory is running at 1331.8MHz (665.9*2).

You'll need to adjust the memory multiplier in the BIOS.

You might as well wait until you get your new RAM before doing this.
Click to expand...

+1

RAM doesn't automatically switch itself to the correct settings, when you initially plug it in the motherboard sets it to a (relatively) low frequency, low voltage mode. Hence why your "2133MHz" RAM is still running at 1333MHz.

As surveyor mentions, if you are going for more RAM you may as well leave the settings as they are until you install the new kit.

If you are doing a straight swap of kits, then you could install the Corsair XMS3 memory and go into the BIOS and activate "XMP", this will fill in all the memory voltage, frequency and timing information for you and will save you time/hassle.
 
Where do I find the switch for the XMP thing? So this will make the ram run at its best stats?
Concerning the current ram, do I go into bios and under memory just type in a 2133 where it says 1333? Though I guess after this I have to change the voltage as well or something?
Would It be the same for the voltage setting? as in just change the number and done?
 
XMP can be enabled within the BIOS. It will work with the memory I mentioned above, but your existing kit doesn't seem to support it. So to get your 2133MHz kit to run at its rated speed you will have to do this manually.

As well as increasing the memory frequency (technically raising the memory multiplier), you will also have to set the DRAM voltage to 1.65V and the timings to 9-9-9-28. Also, since your system is not overclocked you may not be able to hit 2133MHz, since your BCLK will only be at the stock 133MHz. Also, it is possible that your CPU's integrated memory controller can't run memory stably at 2133MHz (since it is only technically rated to 1333Mhz) - so the RAM sticks themselves can run fine at this speed, but your system may not be able to take them there.
 
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