Memory for first gaming PC

Suoermansdad · Nov 13, 2013

Ive been looking at RAM for building a PC and I understand the difference between DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 but what is PC3 and PC3L? Can I mix them i.e. have two sticks of 4GB PC3 and 2 sticks of 8GB PC3L? Is one better than the other for gaming? I know very little about PC's and this will be my first build, help would be great, thank you

IRONBATMAN · Nov 13, 2013

Which are the 2 RAMs you are looking at ? I could recommend some good RAM provided you tell me where you live , and what your budget is

bad_eyes83 · Nov 13, 2013

DDR3 or PC3 is the Standard Voltage memory module that operates at 1.50V (JEDEC compliant)
DDR3L or PC3L is the Low Voltage memory module that operates at 1.35V (JEDEC compliant)
DDR3U or PC3U is the Ultra Low Voltage memory module that operates at 1.25V (still not JEDEC compliant)
Most, if not all PC3L modules can support 1.50V operation

Suoermansdad · Nov 13, 2013

IRONBATMAN :

Initially I was going to buy this as I thought it would be sufficient http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-BLT2CP4G3D1608DT1TX0CEU-Ballistix-Tactical-Memory/dp/B005Y8C8JO/?tag=logicaincre05-21#productDetails

But I've managed to get my hands on 2 8GB sticks of PC3L-10600R-9-11-E2
And was wondering whether that could be of use?

Suoermansdad · Nov 13, 2013

bad_eyes83 :

Oh alright thanks! So does the fact its low voltage mean anything performance wise or?

bad_eyes83 · Nov 13, 2013

Suoermansdad :

Nope, just designed to run at lower voltages which means less heat

Suoermansdad · Nov 13, 2013

bad_eyes83 :

Suoermansdad :

Nope, just designed to run at lower voltages which means less heat

So I imagine if anything its better designed for gaming? Also is it fine to mix different types of RAM? I.e. different sizes, models/types?

IRONBATMAN · Nov 13, 2013

8 GB of RAM is all you really need. Unless you're doing 3D animation or Video Rendering 16GB would be good

Suoermansdad · Nov 13, 2013

IRONBATMAN :

The only thing being that I got this RAM for free so using the 2 8GB sticks would save me buying the 2 4GB sticks, I was just wondering if it would work alright, would you be able to tell me if PC3L-10600R-9-11-E2 RAM is compatible with this mobo? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-Z87-A-Motherboard-Express-6-0Gbps/dp/B00CXK57MG/?tag=logicaincre05-21

bad_eyes83 · Nov 13, 2013

you can mix different sizes, I personally wouldn't mix different makes and models though, that would be like buying a ferrari with a rolls royce suspension setup for your car, it could work but in another way it wouldn't. as well if the motherboard doesn't use the lower voltage it will just increase the voltage to 1.5 which is fine

Suoermansdad · Nov 13, 2013

bad_eyes83 :

I guess that makes sense! Thanks for the help man and sorry for being so clueless hahaha. One last thing, would pc3l-10600r-9-11-e2 RAM work fine with this mobo and work alright for gaming? Might sound stupid asking so many questions but I want to make sure im absolutely certain of everything before ordering parts if you can understand that hahaha

Mobo link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-Z87-A-Motherboard-Express-6-0Gbps/dp/B00CXK57MG/?tag=logicaincre05-21

bad_eyes83 · Nov 13, 2013

you should have no issues, if it doesn't run at the 1.35 volts then it will run at the normal 1.50 volts. And 1.35 volt ram is fine for gaming, no problem

your graphics card does almost 90% of the work anyways

Suoermansdad · Nov 13, 2013

bad_eyes83 :

Awesome! Thanks a lot man! Im new to this site is there any way I can give you some sort of feedback rating or? Again you've been really helpful thanks a lot

bad_eyes83 · Nov 13, 2013

click on the pick solution button is how it works when you get your answer

Suoermansdad · Nov 13, 2013

bad_eyes83 :

I did nothing but you got picked anyway hahaha, thanks again man, have a good day

bad_eyes83 · Nov 13, 2013

you too

Suoermansdad · Nov 13, 2013

bad_eyes83 :

Im really sorry to bring this up again but I just googled the info I found on the RAM sticks and its saying its server RAM and ive heard that if the RAM is ECC registered and the mobo isn't then it wont work?

bad_eyes83 · Nov 13, 2013

ASUS says non-ecc ram on there website
Memory
4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 3000(O.C.)/2933(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2600(O.C.)/2500(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1800(O.C.)/1600/1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
* Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).

Suoermansdad · Nov 13, 2013

bad_eyes83 :

But isn't that referring to the mobo? Im saying that I think the RAM is ECC registered so it wont work with the desktop mobo?

bad_eyes83 · Nov 13, 2013

not on that motherboard, some desktop mother boards accept ECC ram some don't, and its not company related, all companies do this

Suoermansdad · Nov 13, 2013

bad_eyes83 :

Yeah so the RAM wouldn't work with that motherboard? Therefore ill buy the 2x4GB ballistix that I showed earlier

bad_eyes83 · Nov 13, 2013

No the ECC Ram will not work, go ahead with the 2x4gb ones, just use those ones don't mix the ram up you will have less headaches... I have had less headaches I had A-Data and G.skill same timings but it wasn't as stable as running all G.skill

Suoermansdad · Nov 13, 2013

bad_eyes83 :

Alright will do, thanks again hahaha

bad_eyes83 · Nov 13, 2013

no problem, anytime

Memory for first gaming PC

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