New Ram? Advice/Suggestions

The Scop · 5 May 2013 at 23:01

Hi, the current spec of my pc is (custom build from OcUK back at the end of 2009)

i7 920 @ 3.4GHz
Gigabyte EX58-UD3R motherboard
XFX 4890 1GB GPU
Corsair XMS3 6GB (tri channel 3x2GB sticks)
1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm HDD
Windows 7 HP 64-Bit
Corsair TX650w PSU
etc

On some of the software I use (Photoshop, Manga Studio, Paint Tool SAI, etc) I've noticed a bit of lag at times. I tend to draw on big canvas sizes/edit large photos, etc. I have 2 monitors running off the pc. I was wondering if perhaps the RAM was the reason for the lag and if it is worth upgrading. If so what would guys recommend that would be compatible with my system and hopefully not exceed my budget of £100. I'm guessing be it dual channel/tri channel, etc surely the ram of today is plug and play compatible for a quick change over and bingo?

Any advice/suggestions greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Mark

davidfrankland · 6 May 2013 at 21:46

Hi all, same question for myself, brought a custom build from same spec.

Would like to achieve 16Gb RAM without degrading the performance, any advice pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks,
David

8 Pack · 6 May 2013 at 21:52

All degrade in one way or another due to extra stress on IMC from either higher density modules or more modules. If you have a strong IMC you can run the same timings but not always and defaults will be slacker.

The Scop · 7 May 2013 at 19:38

Perhaps this is something I should go for?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-294-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1389

Its triple channel like my current memory, twice the amount (6gb increase to 12GB) and I think the timings are the same, current may be 9-9-9-28???

Sal0hcine · 10 May 2013 at 23:48

When you are running some of these intensive things in Photoshop etc open up task manager and just see how much ram you are using.

I consistently use 4GB at work the moment I open Photoshop and cannot wait for my upgrade to 12gb to be completed.

Also if I am not mistaken you should have 3 spare slots on your motherboard? So you could just buy more XMS3 ram as it will play nicer due to the memory being identical. The dominator memory you linked has lower voltage and I am not sure if you can set the voltage on individual sticks of ram.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-205-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1389

The Scop · 12 May 2013 at 01:15

Cheers for the suggestion. Yeah I have 4 ram slots on my motherboard and 3 are currently in use with the Corsair xms3 ram (3 x 2gb sticks). Will the current ram only work as it is (3 sticks triple channel) or can I add a 4th stick of the the same make/type and it still work. The ram slots on my motherboard are coloured white and blue, three slots white, one slot blue.