Add 6GB or buy 12GB

[speedyj]

Existing ram is Patriot Viper 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Low Latency Triple Channel (PVT36G1600LLK) with 8-8-8-24 timings if I remember correctly.

Fitted in an Asus P6X58D-E with an i7 930 at 4.0Ghz

Crucial Ballistix Sport 12GB (3x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C10 1600MHz Triple Channel Kit is £68 but the timings are slower at 10-10-10-28. Will this make a huge difference in reality as another 6GB (3x2) of the Patriot is as dear and I assume that 6 sticks is less ideal than 3 for OCing.

 

[Plec]

If you need 12GB and your system is clocked then 3 sticks is always preferable to populating all your DIMM slots as you wont be potentially compromising your existing clock (it's possible your clock may not be effected with 6 sticks).

Plus, you wont notice any speed difference, in day to day usage, with the slightly slacker timings of the Crucial.