Obviously a memory question

Shibbzy

Shibbzy

Shibbzy

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I'm not as clued up as I used to be with RAM.

I currently have;

OCZ Special OPS 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (OCZ3SOE1600LV4GK)

What would go best with this?

Looking at something like;

Crucial Ballistix Elite 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (BLE2CP2G3D1608CE1TX0CEU) [BLE2CP2G3D1608CE1TX0CEU]

Or could I go for another 2 sticks, which are both 4GB each? What would be the best combo for the best output without paying too much?

Thanks in advance
 
The OCZ have a recommnded test volatge of 1.65V at 8 8 8 24, 1600MHz. And the Crucial Ballisyix Elite, as far as i can tell, run at exacly the same timings/frequency at exactly the same recommended voltage.

So in theory they should just slot right in next to each other. You could get the Kingston or the XMS 3 too - but you would probably need to slacken the timings of your OCZ to 9 9 9 24 to marry them up with the OCZ. I only mention this as the Crucial are out of stock.

If you're only using your machine for gaming and general appas use then 8Gb total will be more than enough memory. But if you need more memory you could put in 2 x 4Gb along side you 2 x 2Gb if required.

The best price to performance combo would be adding another 2 x 2Gb - for general gaming/apps use.
 
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Yeah it'll be for gaming and what not, nothing too strenuous. Thought i'd boost it up a little more for BF3 and MW3 as I think they recommend 4GB, so i'd like more :P

Is it not a waste to change my ocz to C9? Or would I not see much of a difference in performance?

From what I understand you wouldn't need to alter the timings as they would both work at the slower timing by default.. :S
 
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Shibbzy said:
From what I understand you wouldn't need to alter the timings as they would both work at the slower timing by default.. :S
Click to expand...

You wont need to change anything if you get the Crucial memory - in theory.

Shibbzy said:
Is it not a waste to change my ocz to C9? Or would I not see much of a difference in performance?
Click to expand...

If you did have to get the XMS3 or Kingston etc... you wouldn't notice any difference between 8 8 8 24 or 9 9 9 24 timings.
 
Aloha, only me again. Memory came today, fitted no problem, PC registers it with no problems. I have looked round the forum to see what programs I could use to see if the memory is working properly but I cannot see one mentioned? As the timings were different as discussed.

Any heads up from anyone?
 
Download CPU-Z.

Click on the Memory tab and you'll see what speed and timings your RAM is currently running at.

Remember you have to double the speed shown in CPU-Z as it's Double Data Rate RAM.
 
Hmmm, my little knowledge of memory still tells me that my memory isn't where it should be? Even when I double it.

CPU-Z reading:

Freq - 668.9MHz
FSB: DRAM - 1:5
All 9 clocks + 24 (Which was expected as my OCZ 8 timing, would run at my corsair 9)

Any MORE assistance?

Plec, CPU-Z looked easier, no offense :D

Thanks
 
Shibbzy said:
Plec, CPU-Z looked easier, no offense :D
Click to expand...

It certainly is for the info you were after - i misinterpreted your post as asking for stabilty test.

You need to bump up your DRAM frequency to 1600MHz in the BIOS - so that it reads 800MHz in the memory tab.

EDIT: while you're in the BIOS check the voltages.
 
Ok I changed to frequency to about 1648MHz in bios, and increased the voltage to 1.65.

Having looked at CPU-Z, My OCZ still runs at 1.5v and my Corsair 1.65V

Also, DRAM Frequency is still running low at 686.7MHz.

If I go into SPD tab, Memory sticks 1 + 3 (OCZ) JEDEC #5 is 666MHz
Memory sticks 2 + 4 (Corsair) XMP-1600 is 800MHz

Something wrong with my OCZ memory? Gunna swap them over and see if that helps
 
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I think you're getting confused between the SPD tab and the memory tab in CPUz.

Did you remember to save and exit after changing the frequency to 1600MHz? (Why 1648?)

You should only be looking at the 'memory tab' for your present memory settings..

And it should read:

800
9
9
9
24
2T
 
See above post too

EDIT: But out of interest look at the OCZ sticks under the SPD and list the XMP-1600 values from the timing tables.
 
Not confused about the different tabs, just like to nose around programs hah. I did save and exit in BIOS yes, and 1648MHz was the closest option I could choose? It doesn't let me type anything in the available box.

Under Memory tab:

686.7MHz
9 9 9 24.

SPD TAB
Slot 1 + 3 are my OCZ memory sticks. When I look at those, there is no XMP-1600, it is listed as JEDEC #5 and those values are 666MHz. (also noted here under slot 1 + 3, 9 9 9 20 with a voltage of 1.5v)

However, slow 2 + 4 are my corsair sticks. When I look at those there IS XMP-1600, the values are 800MHz. (with a voltage of 1.65v what it is set to in bios) So spot on.

Hope this makes sense, can take screenshots if it helps
 
And what does it list the OCZ part number in the SPD?

Your BIOS seems to be rejecting 1600MHZ and setting it at 1333MHz - which makes sense if the OCZ is 1333MHz and not 12800 rated memory - but the part number should clarify the memory's capability.
 
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Both sticks have the same part number yep. Ok I will try without OCZ sticks in.. have to pop afk for a tiny while so i'll report back in a bit :)
 
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