What should I look for when buying memory?

Subnated

Subnated

Subnated

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5 Jul 2011
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Hi,

I've been trying to find suitable RAM for my PC, but I have no idea how I can determine what the best RAM for me is. What info should I look for? Or is that just a waste of time and can I just buy any DDR3 sticks and place them in my motherboard? Thanks.
 
What motherboard do you have and how much RAM are you after?

If you're looking to add more RAM to what you already have what are the specs./model number of the existing RAM?
 
I'm assuming by your post that your computer takes DDR3. In which case i'd go for at least 1600Mhz RAM. The next thing to look from what i'm aware is low latency.

If your motherboard is Dual/Triple Channel then you'll be looking to get matched pairs, which brings us on to how much ram you want and how many slots you have and your budget
 
geon106 said:
I'm assuming by your post that your computer takes DDR3. In which case i'd go for at least 1600Mhz RAM. The next thing to look from what i'm aware is low latency.

If your motherboard is Dual/Triple Channel then you'll be looking to get matched pairs, which brings us on to how much ram you want and how many slots you have and your budget
Click to expand...

The motherboard that I'll be getting supports triple channel and I'm just focused on 8GB (2x 4GB) for now, I may add another 4GB stick in later.
 
Subnated said:
The motherboard that I'll be getting supports triple channel and I'm just focused on 8GB (2x 4GB) for now, I may add another 4GB stick in later.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that would work, to make the most of triple channel you'll need 3 sticks of RAM. So you'd need to have either 6GB or 12GB.

For 6GB i'd recommend http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-293-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1389

Has good latency, reasonably priced and 3 matched pairs. Then if you wanted to add another 3 you'd get 12GB of decent speed, reasonably priced RAM running in tri-channel. I do recommend the vengeance ram, it was featured in this months PC Gamer
 
Lower CAS = faster RAM, depending on the MHz of the RAM, but in this case the jump from 8-9 isn't worth it.
 
reflux said:
Lower CAS = faster RAM, depending on the MHz of the RAM, but in this case the jump from 8-9 isn't worth it.
Click to expand...

So the lower CAS is faster but only really makes a noticable different on factory OC ram for example? not worth extra £10+?

Thats good, saves some money
 
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