Help With RAM upgrade

Skellz · 8 Jun 2012 at 13:27

Currently running 2x2GB of 1600mhz DDR3 Dual chan stuff on my P55: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3161#sp motherboard and I would like to switch it out for an upgrade to preferably 16GB or maybe 8GB.

Probably going to sound noob, but just wanted to confirm that I could run either:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-346-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1387

or

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-054-PA&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1387

or
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-321-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1387

It says on the mobo description that it supports "4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 16 GB of system memory" so i assume i cant buy anything that exceeds this? Does it mean I can use just 2 x 8gb sticks or am I forced to use 4 x 4gb sticks to achieve 16GB total. :confused:

Nightglow · 8 Jun 2012 at 14:02

Be careful with memory, will the board support 8gb DIMMS?
Total memory is 16gb for your board, you have four slots, so you might be limited to 4gb sticks per slot, making 4x4gb =16gb.

Couldn't find anything in the manual about memory configurations.

Could use two sets of Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) if your set on having 16gb, but 8gb should be enough.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-094-KS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

Pointless having memory faster than PC3-12800C9 1600MHz.

Skellz · 8 Jun 2012 at 14:15

I couldn't find anything to say that it did or didnt, although in the list of "compatible memory" the highest set is 4GB, so assume that this must be the limit and that like you say i'd be limited to 4x4 if iwanted 16Gb.

Edit: Also why's it pointless having faster than 1600mhz? does the increase after this point not gain many benefits?

shawsy109 · 8 Jun 2012 at 14:59

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3161#sp

Your board i think. 16gb is the max, so 4gb sticks in 4 slots = 16gb.

It supports 2200mhz ram, but the difference between that and 1600mhz isnt even visible really, real world terms 1600 would be good enough. Kingston hyperX is brilliant ram, i had 8gb, now got 16gb but thats when it was 40 quid for 8gb.

Skellz · 8 Jun 2012 at 15:02

Ok I understand it, thanks a lot for your help guys! I'll get some of that Kingston memory then and it ends up costing me less!