RAM questions...

NF7-S · 24 Apr 2013 at 14:46

I currently have a Q6600 + GTX460, I know this is getting a little long in the tooth for the newer games but can do without the expense of upgrading. As such I have done a quick and dirty overclock which has produced some nice results and am now looking at RAM options ahead of the release of Battlefield 4.

My current RAM is OCZ2P8004GK (DDR2), due to the overclock this is currently sitting at 800Mhz with a multi of 2.4 - I assume this is correct with my CPU @ 333Mhz. So with the newer games starting to ask for more RAM (and with my OS being 64bit) I thought I'd look at my options in detail.

What's best for me? Do I just get the same RAM again and stick it in the 2 spare slots or different faster RAM - say 2x4GB sticks that go above 800Mhz and up the multiplier to get the fastest speed I can get...will I notice any difference!? Mobo is Gigabyte GA-P31-DS3L.

I've no idea what's the best thing to do so appreciate any input.

Thanks in advance for any input

Scotteh · 24 Apr 2013 at 14:50

I'd get more of the same or completely replace them all

I'm sure it'll get brought down to the lower speed (might just be dual channel? not sure so don't take my word for it), you'd notice a difference in the extra RAM, how much do you have atm? going over 8GB you wouldn't notice it (assuming you have 2x4gb atm)

NF7-S · 24 Apr 2013 at 15:28

d'oh, sorry - it's currently 2x2GB in dual channel configuration, thinking of upping to 8GB so not sure if to just get 8GB of new (and faster) RAM...what's the best solution?

Scotteh · 24 Apr 2013 at 15:59

I'd get 8GB of faster RAM and just stick them in

NF7-S · 24 Apr 2013 at 17:44

Cheers but I'm still a bit confused:

What's the advantages?
If I get the faster RAM - eg if I buy some that goes 1066Mhz should I adjust the multi within the BIOS to match that?
Should I get 1 stick of 8GB or 2x4GB in dual channel?

I ask because price-wise there's potenitally a big difference in what I'll spend and I want to try to understand if it's worth it.

Thanks again

horrorwood · 25 Apr 2013 at 09:16

Considering it seems 8gb of DDR2 is around £100 new, I don't think it is worth it.

You could get a socket 775 board with DDR3 support and 8gb of ram for pretty much the same price. Atleast you would not be buying dead end tech in DDR2 - you could re use the DDR3 at later date.

But even that seems pointless, with the amount you'd get for your old Q6600 and parts second hand you could probably add some extra and get an i5 setup second hand.

A quick look and it seems you can get an i5 750 + motherboard + 8gb ddr3 for around £150, yep its still a dead end socket but atleast you'd have a much bigger upgrade from it.

NF7-S · 25 Apr 2013 at 13:54

Yeah, seems I'm stuck at a bit of a dead-end. I saw 4GB sticks (ie 2x2GB) going for ~£25 so assumed 2x4GB would be ~£50...no such luck!

Think I'll just keep an eye out for some 2nd hand RAM and see if anything turns up, I tried adding some of my sons RAM but can't even get into the BIOS...maybe I need to update the BIOS but I'm not sure.

Thanks anyway, I'm pleased with performance of Crysis 3 so I'm sure Battlefield 4 will be fine, and if not I'll be in a better position to upgrade the CPU as well.

Thanks guys