Expensive RAM Vs. Cheap RAM

Boozebeard

Boozebeard

Boozebeard

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I use my PC mainly for gaming and running applications like Photoshop, 3DS Max and Zbrush. I bought my current rig, pre-built, almost 2 years ago, when I didn't really know anything about computer hardware.

It's got 8GB of this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-097-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=144

(Q9450 @ stock, 9800 GTX)

I've been thinking of upgrading (mainly for gaming) but I've been focusing on my graphics card. So the question is: would I see much of a difference with some better RAM?
 
No you wouldn't. Although, you will be able to overclock the ram far better than the cheap ones you bought. Also, the cheap rams run hot which could also casue problems for some.
 
A new graphics card would make a big difference but new Ram only a minimal difference compared to stock speeds if not overclocking
 
Ben-Irvine93 said:
No you wouldn't. Although, you will be able to overclock the ram far better than the cheap ones you bought. Also, the cheap rams run hot which could also casue problems for some.
Click to expand...

Am I right in thinking that to overclock your cpu you have to overclock the RAM to? I tried overclocking it ages ago and couldn't get it very far so just put it back to stock, I always assumed it was cause of the RAM.
 
Boozebeard said:
Am I right in thinking that to overclock your cpu you have to overclock the RAM to? I tried overclocking it ages ago and couldn't get it very far so just put it back to stock, I always assumed it was cause of the RAM.
Click to expand...

Not entirely; though I think that is the case for your set-up.

You overclock by upping the clock in the CPU core. This can be done by upping the system clock speed, or by upping the core clock multiplier (though most chips don't allow this.)

If you have to up the system clock, everything that runs off it also increases, so you would likely need better rated memory (and likely a better Mainboard).
Some motherboards (used to?) let you run a divider on the memory clock, so you could play around with higher system clocks, yet still run the memory a bit slower if you where having problems.

If you are fortunate enough to have a chip that allows you to up the core multiplier, doing so only increase the clock in the CPU, so everything else runs at stock, so you don't need better memory.
 
Boozebeard said:
Am I right in thinking that to overclock your cpu you have to overclock the RAM to? I tried overclocking it ages ago and couldn't get it very far so just put it back to stock, I always assumed it was cause of the RAM.
Click to expand...


Welcome to OcUK Boozebeard although I read that as BoozeyBird :p
Sounds like you are Bang on to me, Budget Ram is good & reliable these days but if you want to push your system & get the best Clocks you do have to spend a bit more on the Ram & the Cooling. This will give you more headroom for the initial clock & enable you to drop back to High but Stable clocks.

Also I can't argue with the others that have said the GFX card is the most noticeable upgrade but this can cause a bottle neck which can be sorted with Decent Ram/cooling & a Mega Clock.
It's all about finding a decent Balance. :)
 
Your ram won't limit you with overclocking if you put it on a divider. I would say switching your ram out for a better one just so you can clock it would be more of a side grade than a real world noticeable improvement.
 
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