Looking for a match to unavailable RAM

Celebryn · 7 Jul 2011 at 17:56

Hello all

I currently have G.Skill PC3-12800c8 1600Mhz F3-12800CL8D -4GBRM on an Asus M4A79XTD evo.

I have 4GB (2x2) and on desktop Windows 7 i am using around just under 40% RAM. I have cut back on what programs I dont use and wonder if I should buy some more RAM.

As the above is no longer available which other G.Skill sticks can I put with it?

Thanks.

EDIT: Little confusion with the type of RAM. The above sticks on the G.SKill website are black, but mine are blue.

This is mine http://www.gskill.com/products.php?index=221

Plec · 7 Jul 2011 at 18:23

If your present memory can run at i's frequency (1600MHz) and timings (8-8-8-24) at 1.55V then these G.Skill - link would compliment your existing G.Skills timings and frequency perfectly.

If not, and assuming you want to keep the tight timings, you would need to consider these - link - very expensive for DDR3 but have a higher voltage to match your existing memory (i would certainly test your existing memory at 1.55V before considering this option).

However, personally, i would drop your present G.Skills timings to match the XMS3 - link @ ~£32.

Celebryn · 7 Jul 2011 at 18:30

I would prefer the cheaper two! £100 is more then I was hoping.

I do seem to remember that I went in to change my timings in BIOS. Maybe I was changing it to run at that freq. and timings.

EDIT: this is the topic about it: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18218469&highlight=username_Celebryn

Not sure if this helps. I am not sure how to answer which of your suggestions is best.

Plec · 7 Jul 2011 at 18:43

Celebryn said:
Not sure if this helps. I am not sure how to answer which of your suggestions is best.

The safest (for voltage reasons) and cheapest option is the XMS3 as it operates up to 1.65V (your present G.Skill 1.6V).

The XMS 3 is quality memory and should sit quite happily by the side of your G.SKill with adapted settings - see below.

You would 'probably' have to loosen the timings of the G.Skill (8-8-8-24) to match that of the XMS3 (9-9-9-24) but you wouldn't notice any difference in performance.

N.B. Be sure to set your memory's frequency, timings and voltage manually when setting up 4 sticks.

Celebryn · 7 Jul 2011 at 18:52

So I cant just put in more sticks? I dont want it complicated

So I would have to go back into BIOS and change the settings again? from all 8's to all 9's. am I undertanding this right?

Plec · 7 Jul 2011 at 18:58

Celebryn said:
So I cant just put in more sticks? I dont want it complicated

Not really, not unless you get memory with the exact same XMP - basically the same set as you have.

Celebryn said:
So I would have to go back into BIOS and change the settings again? from all 8's to all 9's. am I undertanding this right?

You don't need to back up your BIOS settings (although i would for conveniance).

All you would have to do is input a few setting, which i (and other members) would happily talk/write you through, before installing your new memory.

Celebryn · 7 Jul 2011 at 19:03

That would be great. If you could.

Plec · 7 Jul 2011 at 19:08

Celebryn said:
That would be great. If you could.

Really not a problem - there's enough helpful members about that would happily talk you through the process - Admiral Huddy, Surveyor (to name a couple of regulars) are also usually knocking about too.

List your spec - your motherboard being the main component and once you have your memory post back and we'll hopefully get you up and running.

Additional: Can i just confirm that you have a 64 bit OS and that you will make use of 8Gb?

Also is your system is clocked?

Celebryn · 7 Jul 2011 at 19:14

I am using:

Windows 7 64bit.
MB= Asus M4A79XTD evo.
CPU = Phenom x4 Black edition 3.2..ish with aftercooler
Corsair 650W PSU
Nvidia 570

PC is used for gaming, MSN, music - usually all at once!
The CPU is OC but using AoD and only at basic/auto at.. I think it was 3%???

Plec · 7 Jul 2011 at 20:37

From what you've listed your spec shouldn't have any problem accomodating/running 8Gb.

Your minor clock 'shouldn't' suffer but when you come to install the memory revert everything back to stock. And once you've established that everyting is stable with 8Gb then try and re-introduce the clock.

As for whether you need 8GB - that's open to debate. But from your 'usage description' you wont really see any benefit.

Having said that, DDR3 is cheap, and if an extra 4GB will benefit you, even in a minor way, then at ~£30 it's relatively little money for an upgrade (if you can afford it.).

Celebryn · 8 Jul 2011 at 10:03

I was just checking things on my PC (was on my netbook before).

I looked at my BIOS 'DRAM Timing/driving' and it was all set to auto with the numbers

9-9-9-24-5-33-10-4
then
8-2-5-4-2-0-11

I thought I had changed all these? Even the Freq/Volt was set to auto.. I took off the clock on the CPU already.

According to AMD Overdrive on

Freq 667MHz
Trp 9
Trrd 4
trcd 9
tras 24
twr 10
twtr 5
Trtp 5
trc 33
tcl 9
Max bandwith 10.7GB#

Whether I need it is irrelevant to me. Upgrading PCs is a hobby and I have been after more RAM for a while and while its so cheap, I thought I would treat myself ;P

Plec · 8 Jul 2011 at 11:34

Celebryn said:
According to AMD Overdrive on

Freq 667MHz
Trp 9
trcd 9
tras 24
tcl 9

Your memory is running under stock - 1333Mhz 9-9-9-24 (however the slightly lower timings match the XMS3.).

If you would like to input settings so that your present memory is ready for the XMS3 then you need to input the following BIOS settings manually:

1600Mhz (your frequency at present is reading as ~1333MHz i.e. 2 x 667)
CL - 9
tRCD - 9
tRP -9
tRAS -24
Command Rate -2T
1.6V (max voltage – for your present memory and within range of the XMS3)

Remember to save and exit. If you get stuck/confused post back and i'll download your manual and try and talk you through it.

Celebryn said:
Upgrading PCs is a hobby and I have been after more RAM for a while and while its so cheap, I thought I would treat myself ;P

You don’t need to justify your purchase – I too buy unnecessary bits for my PC, it’s all part of the fun of overclocking/hobby. But note that filling all the DIMM slots will effect future 'potential' clocks - but shouldn't effect minor clocks.

And, as I mentioned previously, you may notice a slight improvement but I suspect that will be mainly due to your memory running at its full 1600MHz, once you’ve updated the settings.

Celebryn · 8 Jul 2011 at 11:50

Thanks.

When I check the BIOS under DRAM TIming/Driving Configuration, it is only the first line I need to change 'DRAM 1st Information'?

I was sure I had changed it all from auto when I bought it.

Well, I changed it as stated.

Even on idle my RAM usuage shows are near 40%. Just seems a lot. Goes up to 80% with just a game and music running.

Plec · 8 Jul 2011 at 13:51

Celebryn said:
Well, I changed it as stated.

So you're running at 1.6V, 1600MHz, 9-9-9-24 and 2T?

If so then you're XMS3 will 'hopefully' slot straight in (no guarantees of course) but in theory you shouldn't have any issues.

Celebryn said:
Even on idle my RAM usuage shows are near 40%. Just seems a lot. Goes up to 80% with just a game and music running.

40% is a little high at idle (mine is approx 30%) - perhaps you should take a look at what’s running in the background and also what is enabled at ‘start up’ (config.sys).

The above is only necessary if you’re worried – but a clean out, every now and then, is usually worth while.

Remember, that Windows 7 uses a lot of memory just to operate and allocates unused RAM for things like superfetch. The OS preloads applications that its identified that you use regularly into the memory – the end result is that the computer feels/is more responsive.

Celebryn · 8 Jul 2011 at 15:08

I have already gone through my start up programs. If I start to stop anymore I will be stopping programs that run to enable me to use things I have bought - so there is not much point.

The RAM Volt - you could not set min or max - so I just set it to 1.60.
Just checked BIOS and it is set to the above.

Plec · 8 Jul 2011 at 17:45

Celebryn said:
The RAM Volt - you could not set min or max - so I just set it to 1.60.

That's the only option you have.

When i mentioned max voltage i was refering to the maximum recommended voltage that your present memory can be set at. It's probable that it could run at a lower voltage but the XMS3 has a tolerance upto 1.65V so i thought it best to use the max recommended voltage of 1.6V to start with.

Celebryn said:
Just checked BIOS and it is set to the above.

Great - hope the XMS3 installs without any hiccups.

Out of interest, have you noticed if the system feels punchier now it's running at 1600Mhz?

Celebryn · 9 Jul 2011 at 10:42

My RAM should be coming today.

I cant say I have noticed. Infact, now, with my background programs, MSN and 3 IE windows it says RAM usage is 48%.

I might, out of interest, turn of some stuff and see if it make a difference. THough it means I wont be able to use me bits :0

Plec · 9 Jul 2011 at 10:55

Celebryn said:
I cant say I have noticed.

It's not unsurprising - it's why i & others only recommend 1600Mhz kits max (plus they're great value as they're the biggest sellers) as from forum feedback there is very little 'real world' speed difference between a few hundred MHz.

Still, at least it's running at full spec now and in tune with the XMS3...

Celebryn · 9 Jul 2011 at 13:27

Well, they arrived and I installed them. What a pain that was. I had to lift up the intake fan on my CPU to slide it underneath. Anything with taller heat sink and I would have been up the creak.

Well BIOS registers 8MB and no beeping and it all seems to work. Idle RAM usage 25%. Sounds a lot better!

Thanks for your help.

Plec · 9 Jul 2011 at 14:48

No problem - glad the install went smoothly.