I'm stuck! Would like to add more RAM but my old stuff isn't made anymore!

TheBigCheese

TheBigCheese

TheBigCheese

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Hi guys

I have a Gigabyte EX58-UD5 motherboard with x3 2GB sticks of Corsair DDR3, I'd like to upgrade to 12GB - x6 2GB sticks but I don't know which RAM I should get as mine has been discontinued.

Speccy tells me it's:
Type DDR3
Size 6144 MBytes
Channels # Triple
DRAM Frequency 539.7 MHz
CAS# Latency (CL) 8 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 8 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 8 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 20 clocks
Command Rate (CR) 1T
SPD
Number Of SPD Modules 3
Slot #1
Type DDR3
Size 2048 MBytes
Manufacturer Corsair
Max Bandwidth PC3-10700H (667 MHz)
Part Number CM3X2G1600C7
SPD Ext. EPP
XMP-9433700
Frequency 4716850 MHz
JEDEC #3
Frequency 666.7 MHz
CAS# Latency 9.0
RAS# To CAS# 10
RAS# Precharge 10
tRAS 25
tRC 34
Voltage 1.500 V
JEDEC #2
Frequency 592.6 MHz
CAS# Latency 8.0
RAS# To CAS# 8
RAS# Precharge 8
tRAS 22
tRC 30
Voltage 1.500 V
JEDEC #1
Frequency 444.4 MHz
CAS# Latency 6.0
RAS# To CAS# 7
RAS# Precharge 7
tRAS 17
tRC 23
Voltage 1.500 V

To be honest I haven't a clue what that means, RAM is an arcane magic as far as I'm concerned!

Could someone point me in the right direction to the set I should get please!

Thanks! :)
 
That's a lot of reading.

What I think you have is this:

CMX6GX3M3C1600C7

1600MHz, Timing 7-8-7-20, 1.65 Volt.

You could try this:

corsair xms3 6gb (3x2gb) ddr3 pc3-12800c9 1600mhz triple channel (cmx6gx3m3a1600c9)

1600mhz, timing 9-9-9-24, 1.65 volt.

or this:

kingston hyperx genesis 6gb (3x2gb) ddr3 pc3-12800c9 1600mhz triple channel (khx1600c9d3k3/6gx)

1600mhz, timing 9-9-9-27, 1.60-1.65 volt.

these work at a similar voltage to your existing ram so should cause less problems setting an appropriate voltage.

the timings are looser than your existing ram so you would have to adjust accordingly.

your current ram appears to be running at much slower than its rated speed (539.7mhz doubled to 1079.4mhz).

download CPU-Z.

Click on the memory tab (not SPD) and post back with:

DRAM frequency
FSB:DRAM
CL
tRCD
tRP
tRAS

Click on the SPD tab and post back with the part number.

Also what processor do you have and what speed are you running it at?

You should also note that if you do have an overclocked system the overclock may be affected by using all 6 RAM slots.
 
Last edited:
Hi Surveyor, thanks very much for the help. :)

The processor is an i7 920 running at stock.

Timings etc., are a bit above my head and the machine is going to be used for work, editing and encoding HD videos etc., so I want something that I can just plug in and it's stable.

I haven't attempted overclocking and to be honest I wouldn't like to attempt it, especially on this machine.

I thought it would be easiest to post screenshots of the info you asked for, I've checked and the info on slots 1,3,5 are exactly the same (they should be I think they were bought as a matched three).

Memory



SPD

 
Your existing RAM is severely underclocked running at about two thirds of its rated speed.

I would suggest getting the Corsair RAM I linked to above as it's the closest to what you have now.

At such a low memory speed you should just be able to plug it in and off you go.

If you want to try and tweak your RAM to run faster you'll need to come back for some further advice. The settings you'll need to use will need to be tailored for the different timings of the 2 sets of RAM.

I assume you're using a 64 bit operating system to be able to use the extra RAM?
 
Thanks again for the reply, that's the one I'll go for then, you can't go wrong at those prices!

I'm shocked to hear it's performing so badly but I do wonder if something else is going on. Partly what's prompted me to get the extra RAM is that I seem to be filling up 6GB and the computer is grinding to a halt every so often.

True it does just sleep at night rather than cold boot in the morning but this has become more noticeable lately, I wondered about just swapping the RAM over at first and running the new 6GB and see if it still does it.

I'm not always doing video work, today for example I was working in Dreamweaver, had Winamp playing, email open, and Chrome/Firefox open with multiple tabs in each...certainly nothing to challenge 6GB but it seemed to manage to fill up...it's been doing it for around three weeks now.

Any ideas what could be causing it and do you think it could be related to how slow the RAM is performing?
 
Do you never switch off the PC?

Over a period of time Windows can get bogged down as applications are open and closed perhaps not releasing all the RAM they've used.

A shutdown and restart every now an again will let you start with a "clean slate" as it were.

You could also try running CCleaner to clear out all the temporary files etc. which accumulate over time.

As I said, come back if you want help setting up your RAM.
 
If it has not already been said, I'd suggest buying a 3 x 4GB kit. If the kits will mix, you get 18GB. However, if they won't mix and run together, then you are stuck with 2 kits you can't mix and also still stuck at 6GB. This way, the least memory you'll get is 12GB.
 
Yellowbeard said:
If it has not already been said, I'd suggest buying a 3 x 4GB kit. If the kits will mix, you get 18GB. However, if they won't mix and run together, then you are stuck with 2 kits you can't mix and also still stuck at 6GB. This way, the least memory you'll get is 12GB.
Click to expand...

If, for some reason, the OP can't get them to run together then they can DSR them and look at other options.

They won't be stuck with 2 kits.
 
Either way is fine but my way involves less shipping and hassle in the event that there is a problem and the upgrade to 12GB+ is guaranteed. But, as noted, it's only a suggestion.
 
Hi guys

Thanks very much for your continued replies. :)

I like the idea of buying x3 4GB sticks for 12GB + 6GB...if it will work together.

Sorry but as I mentioned I am rather a noob when it comes to RAM...you'll have to explain the ;) and why the Kingston RAM wouldn't be a first choice or the kit you had in mind.

Would there be a better / more compatible set of RAM to go with what I have or should I stick with the original 6GB option Surveyor suggested?


Thanks!
 
TheBigCheese said:
Hi guys
Sorry but as I mentioned I am rather a noob when it comes to RAM...you'll have to explain the ;) and why the Kingston RAM wouldn't be a first choice or the kit you had in mind.
Click to expand...

I work for Corsair so I NEVER recommend one brand over another. It's just not professional to be a forum "pimp". My brand of choice is of course obvious but I was simply passing on my recommendation for the density of modules to buy.

It's rare these days but occasionally you will see a combination of 2 different types of modules that simply won't work. If you just happen to get one of those combinations, then you'll still get an upgrade to 12GB. 4GB and 2GB modules can coexist on 1 MOBO. But the only way to know for sure is to install and test.

If you take this route, use the 4GB modules in the same 3 slots that your current memory is in. Then, run the 2GB modules in the other 3 slots. You may have to do a bit of BIOS tweaking, particularly the memory controller voltage. You may a small bump there as you are doubling the number of modules.

Good luck with whatever brand you choose. :cool:
 
lol I see, I should have paid more attention to your sig!

Well Corsair has always been my memory of choice over the years so that would be my preferred choice.

Just having a nose at what's available two sets caught my eye, can you tell me if if you think either would be suitable?

Either the:
Corsair DDR3 1333MHz 12GB (3x240) DIMM Unbuffered 9-9-9-24 XMS3 with Classic Heat Spreader

Or:
This

They are both more expensive than the Kingston but if they are more likely to be compatible then I could go along with that. If you don't think they would be more/less compatible then Kingston it'll be!

Thanks! :D
 
Kingston is certainly a trusted brand and as I noted above, I can't engage in any debate over our brand being better than any other just to make a sale. Both Corsair modules you listed are great choices. If it was my rig, I'd get 1600s of some type.
 
No no, don't worry I'm not asking you that and I appreciate your no bias stance. :)

So as far as you can tell, all the models listed above *should* be compatible with what I already have, giving me a whopping 18GB if all goes to plan, but for speed 1600s would be better for system speed?

Would they not be slowed down to the speed of the original 6GB, or if I put the new ones in slots 1,3,5 would the original 6GB only be used if the new 12GB were filled?

If that's a yes can I ask you about BIOS memory tweaking...I'm a little stumped on what that would involve and what I would need to change.

Finally (sorry for the barrage of questions!) would tweaking / improving the memory speed give me a noticeable difference in the real world? I don't do benchmarks etc., I don't do overclocking either but I do shift around massive video files importing/exporting between Adobe Premiere/Encore/After Effects etc etc.

Thanks! :D
 
Is your memory the list Corsair 1600C7s? If yes......

You'll most likely have to run your memory settings at 8-8-8-24 , 2T (or 2N on some boards) command rate. If it runs but is unstable, you'll probably need a smalll bump in CPU VTT, aka memory conroller voltage. 1.25v -1.4v range should do it. You'll have to figure that out on your own once you have the new memory.
 
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