memory noob - have I gone wrong?

Tazzfalcon

Tazzfalcon

Tazzfalcon

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Joined
8 Mar 2011
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Location
London
Hi,

as you can see from my sig I have 8gig dual channel OCZ gold 1333 RAM (all be it two different variants)

My question in a nut shell is this: is that any good? I always thought RAM was important for a fast sytem but I've noticed virutally no system performance increase since I got the second 2x2gig.

its CL9 and I know nothing about RAM timings - would my system actually run better with less, faster RAM? i.e. some g-skill ripjaws or something? :confused:

Many thanks all.
 
Hi there,

It is important to have enough RAM, however once you have enough RAM for your needs then any extra doesn't really get used or provide a speed boost. Hence why the recommendation is usually to stick with 4/6GB unless you use applications that need more.

As for RAM timings, you will get a performance boost in some applications with lower CL RAM, However, this performance boost will only be a few % and only really be apparant in memory-heavy applications. If you are mainly gaming then upgrading to lower CL RAM would not yield any noticeable performance boost.
 
Which operating system are you using? If it's not a 64-bit version then your PC isn't using the RAM at all. Does your OS see all the RAM?
 
unless you are doing a lot of multi-tasking or photo/video editing/rendering then you probably wont notice a great difference over about 3GB. if you use multi-displays with lots of apps then yes, more ram, more speed.
 
But there is no reason to immediately take out a stick or two? Or think about upgrading (tbh I’d probably have to change my mobo to get a lot faster RAM anyway)
 
Windows unlike mac or unix based OSes is not using all RAM, and it is said the not used RAM is a wasted RAM :(
 
Memory should always be in matched sets of two or three, depending on the motherboard chipset. You shouldn't remove a single DIMM as this would prevent dual- or triple-channel interleaving from working, reducing performance.
 
The other replies are correct - just because you have all that ram doesnt mean it will be used.

However, seen as you have 8gb, it does mean you could look at running a ram disk or something with all the extra space?
 
You want a quicker machine then get yourself a good ssd or the hybrid maximus seagate drives are awsome not quite as fast as ssd but is much more practical

I was shocked how this drive made my laptop feal so much more snappier

they are 2.5" drives but are compatible with the desktop system with sata cables

Ram will make systems faster IF you had a minimum amount and it was all used to run the system etc but after you have around 4gig the system is very well provided for unless like others say you do a lot of memory hungry tasks

Get a ssd drive you will LOVE it

500gig hybrid seagate has 4gig ssd the remainder makes up to the 500gig size physical drive and cost aroun £90

we all know the price of the SSD drives and for only a 3 year life span :eek: but worth it as it is unbeleivably FAST

:edit: Using ram as a ram drive is really like an ssd drive
 
Last edited:
cmndr_andi said:
It is important to have enough RAM, however once you have enough RAM for your needs then any extra doesn't really get used or provide a speed boost. Hence why the recommendation is usually to stick with 4/6GB unless you use applications that need more.
Click to expand...

yep, on an average day, i only need about 3GB of RAM, so 4GB is fine and any more is just a waste :)

e.g. currently: 2688MB used, 4096 Total :)
 
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