RAM CAS And Speed - Need help choosing

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xclone

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Jul 25, 2014
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Hello,

I know this question has been asked to death before, but having read a lot of previous answers and posts on other forums, I am still just as (or even more) confused than before.

I have just assembled a new PC for my home based on the very kind advice provided by Karsten75. Now I am working on upgrading my work PC. The machine works fine for most part but it struggles with Visual Studio projects over 1GB+ in size. This more apparently when I am compiling larger C++ projects. I think my processor is fine (Intel Xeon E5 v2). It's the RAM that is constraining it. (16 GB). I would like to upgrade it to 64 GB. I found Corsair's 64 GB RAM (XMS 3 1600/11) for 374 pounds. Is this a good purchase? I am not looking to play games or run benchmarks. I just want to be able to do my work and be able to multitask.

Regards

Alex
 
Solution
Tradesman1
Packaged sticks are tested to work together, hence a package of 4 sticks will cost a little more (often) than two pairs of 2 sticks as it is easier to find two that play nice, You could pull 10 sticks off an assembly line and possibly only find 4 out of the ten that will play together, so No, mixing DRAM from different packages is not a good idea, can be and often is problematic
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MeteorsRaining

MeteorsRaining

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Jul 27, 2014
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In terms of 3D modelling/ Programming/ developing/ designing/ VFX, the RAM is plays a crucial role. It'd be better to buy 32GB 2400MHz/CL10 RAM which would do wonders considering your Project files are not gigantic.

Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory (£260.66 @ Ebuyer)

Also, 64GB seems like too much, they're usually used in servers and 32GB is the norm for professional workstations.

Anyways, whatever be the size, get the RAM with higher speed (MHz), they're pretty much the deciding factor for CPU intensive tasks in terms of RAM. If you've made up your mind to get 64GB, then get this one:

Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 64GB (8 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory (£436.79 @ Amazon UK)

Its more costly than XMS but worth it. High latency can be managed by a good memory controller, but speed at which the RAM delivers the data to memory controller matters the most here.

I'd still say get 2400MHz 32GB, you'll feel the difference.
 
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xclone

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Jul 25, 2014
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Hello,

Thank you for your kind replies everyone :

MeteorsRaining :

So the 2400 Mhz RAM is at CAS 10 and the 2133Mhz is at CAS 11. I was under the impression that the higher the CAS rating the lower the performance of the RAM will be?
I think I will take your advice and stick with 32 GB for now. If I still find that I am struggling I guess I can then add some more RAM? I am also a tad confused by Quad channel RAM. I know what manufacturers suggest is Quad Channel is just the fact that the four sticks in the package have been tested together and they work well. But if I am correct, getting 4 individual RAM sticks from the same manufacturer with the same ratings (ideally the same model) will work just as well? Am I correct in thinking that?

Tradesman1 :

cheers for the link mate. I might just get 32 GB for now and then add another 32 if my PC is still struggling.

Thanks again guys.

Alex
 
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MeteorsRaining

MeteorsRaining

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As far as I know, MHz is very much fundamental for the performance of RAM, CL is largely immaterial as higher latency can be made up by a good memory controller, and since you're thinking of 32/ 64 GB modules, I hope you've a good MoBo too. Yes high CL will deter a RAM's performance, but the term PERPFORMANCE itself comes from its speed, which is then enhanced or deteroited by a good or bad CL resp. 1600/8; 1866/9; 2133/10; 2400/11 is fine for CPU intensive tasks, however, a lower CL will definately increase RAM's performance, but its a pretty penny too. My suggestion, if you don't wanna pay 500+ GBP, get higher speed RAM with moderate CL. Yes 2133/12 RAM is not a good choice.

I assume your MoBo will have atleast 8 slots (as you wished to accomodate 64 GB which is 8X8GB sticks). Most mainstream CPUs (The FX, Broadwell/ Haswell, etc) support dual channel meaning that 4 8GB sticks is nothing but 2X2 channels. But some (like some Xeons/ Sandy bridge/ Ivy bridge) also support quad channels, meaning that 4 sticks do mean a single quad channel. You need to specify your CPU so that I can be sure if its quad or dual channel.

About the pairing of RAMs, yes they're RAM which are not only tested but garuanteed to work well with each other. Getting exact same models of RAM is never a wise choice, it can result in either a normal system (unlikely) or weird stuff (likely). They won't work better performance wise either, the channel for memory is DIMM which means a pair of sticks will work best in a config. As mentioned earlier 32GB or 4X8GB is nothing but 2 pairs of 2 sticks each, verified to work together. I'd only recommend getting a single stick if someone, by mistake, has a single stick (stick failure, etc) and not planning to get it removed for 2 new sticks.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Packaged sticks are tested to work together, hence a package of 4 sticks will cost a little more (often) than two pairs of 2 sticks as it is easier to find two that play nice, You could pull 10 sticks off an assembly line and possibly only find 4 out of the ten that will play together, so No, mixing DRAM from different packages is not a good idea, can be and often is problematic
 
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