RAM Upgrade Path

deadfolk

deadfolk

deadfolk

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Joined
28 Jan 2005
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237
Location
Ireland
Okay, so RAM is somehow something I've never gotten my head around, compatibility-wise! I would be grateful for any advice on the following.

I have 2x4GB DDR3 in my PC right now. If I want to go to 16GB total, what are the rules/recommendations/considerations?

1) Is it best to throw out the 8GB I have and replace with 2x8 or just add another 2x4?

2) If the latter, does it need to be the same as the existing stuff?

3) Do I need to worry about speed? I'm not overclocking right now, but possibly in the future. I'm running an i7-4770k.

4) Anything else I need to consider?
 
Hi,

What board do you have? do you need 16GB?

Generally it is going to be easier to sell the current RAM and get a matching 16GB kit rather than trying to find RAM thats roughly similar in speed/timings/voltage than your current ram.
 
If I were you I would just grab another 2x4gb kit (try and get the same kit you already have) and pop it in. By the time you need >16gb you'd be upgrading to a DDR4 platform anyway to be honest.

That's assuming you're the average Joe and not a video editor and stuff, in which case that's a different matter.

You don't need to get the same kit, you don't need to get the same frequency either, but it helps compatibility. If you can't get your hands on the same kit, try and get a kit with the same frequency and timings, it should do the job just fine.

If you would like to do the 2x8gb option, DDR3's at its cheapest point for a long time so you may as well do it now - You can always sell on your 2x4gb kit.
 
This fellow: Gigabyte Z87-D3HP Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard
With this RAM: Avexir Core Blue Series 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (AVD3U16000904G-2CW) - Blue Light
 
stulid said:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-078-AR&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1392

Still sell that RAM.
Click to expand...


I'm confused - that's a 8GB kit. If I went with that I would need to keep the RAM I have.

To be honest I doubt I'd sell it anyway - too much hassle.:p

What about this stuff?
TeamGroup Vulcan GOLD 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLYED316G1600HC9DC01)

It's 16GB for only ~£12 more than another 8GB of what I have.

Edit: Is that the stuff you were talking about?
 
Yeah so add that kit to your kit to fill up all four dimm slots on the board and that gives you 16GB.

Or spend more to keep two dimm slots free for any more future RAM increases?

That Teamgroup RAM is like what I was talking about, but maybe in black to match the board if thats a concern?
 
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