Which memory to upgrade gaming build

joe_be · Feb 1, 2015

This is my build minus RAM (edit: I upgraded that power supply already):

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/f3JCK8

I didn't list memory in there because the chip wasn't selectable. It has a 1x8GB PNY 1333 that I got from Frys. CPU-Z details of said memory are here:

https://imgur.com/t9PP1od
https://imgur.com/7v6uis2

I've read that a gaming build need not more than 8GB, however I'm noticing that when playing newer games (Dying Light, Dragon Age Inquisition) my memory usage is capped out and I experience stuttering.

The question is - what RAM should I add to this build? I'm confused about whether using two different memory speeds would be an issue, and I've read that dual channel can be faster but it's best with the same memory type. Or, if this is easier to answer, if you had this build - what memory would *you* add to it?

Thanks!

Tradesman1 · Feb 1, 2015

Any mixing of DRAM from different packages can be and often is problematic. Best bet is to get a full set of 16GB and then sell the old, put it in another rig or if you can get it to play with the new sticks it's a bonus

joe_be · Feb 1, 2015

Tradesman1 :

[edit] - my question is answered by your signature, you have a z87 with 2666, I'll mark you, thanks!

I think your advice is good and it's probably the route I'll go. A quick second question if you don't mind - I've read (on this site) that buying DRAM above a certain speed is a waste on certain mobos (or is it processors). Do you know if that's the case with the mpower z87 I have? Specifically I saw 1600 as a max, although on mpower's site for that mobo they say it "supports ddr3-3000 memory".

http://game.msi.com/product/motherboard/z87-mpower

Tradesman1 · Feb 1, 2015

It's more the CPU that determines what you can run, the Memory controller is in the CPU these days. On Intel with a K CPU you can normally run 2400 and higher where non-Ks tend to top out about 2133. On AMD the 8350 and up can often run 2133-2400 where lesser FX CPUs will top at 1866 (with individual exceptions of course)

joe_be · Feb 1, 2015

Tradesman1 :

I see. I have a 4790k, and like the 4770k that you have in your sig, it says this: "Memory Types DDR3-1333/1600"

Does that mean if I were to buy, say DDR3-2400 ram that it would only run at 1600?

http://ark.intel.com/products/80807/Intel-Core-i7-4790K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-4_40-GHz

Karadjgne · Feb 1, 2015

Also important is the ram voltage as pertains to the cpu. Haswell and later cpus have on-board memory controllers as Tradesman1 mentioned, and do not play well with voltages above 1.5v. Most of the faster memory, 2400+ and about 1/2 of the available 2133 runs at 1.65v, so for newer Intel, 1866 is about as fast as you'll get, unless you get lucky and find a 2133 at 1.5v and the motherboard supports such. For Sandy/Ivy Bridge cpus and older, the memory controllers were board mounted, not cpu, so 1.65v memory upto 3000 is available for use depending on board support, same with the FX Cpus.

Intel certifies their cpu's for 1600 or 1333 usage, so for the least amount of worries/trouble, this is the norm, with lower CL being the faster memory instead of clock speed. AMD uses 1333/1600/1866 for the most part although the APU's run best at 2133, but only because of the on chip gpu.

For the fastest memory, you'll want to look for 1600/CL 7, 1866/CL 8 or 2133/CL 9, but expect to pay more for these premium memory.

Tradesman1 · Feb 1, 2015

joe_be :

______________

No, the 1600 is the suggested DRAM freq for your CPU at stock, , the 4790 should be capable of running 3000+ sticks, right now the 2800 set I have on my Z97 is the highest that was available in a 32GB set, otherwise I prob would have gone higher

With your CPU the 2400 shouldn't be any problem - it will OC the MC (memory controller) a bit and may require a slight CPU OC

Karadjgne · Feb 1, 2015

Btw, imho I consider Tradesman1 a ram Guru, so you can pretty much guarantee that the ram in his signature has been prodded, poked and tweaked in ways most normal people could never understand, let alone be brave enough to attempt. That said, if the board supports upto 3000,but the cpu supports 1333 / 1600, then stick to 1600 as your best bet, at 1.5v and CL9 or below. If the cpu supports upto 3000 but the board only supports 1333/1600 then stick to 1600. Going out of the box will lead to problems, for most normal people.

Tradesman1 · Feb 1, 2015

Not really

if the mobo can run it, most K models can run up through 2666 anyway 4690Ks can often run 2800 and up and 4790Ks 3000 and up - not to say all will, but generally. I generally try to keep to 50 builds a year max, but haven't used less than 1866 in almost 3 years, and very few 1866 sets in the last 2 years. Today with Haswell 1866- 2133 is basically the entry level based on price/performance and in many cases 2400 is right there

joe_be · Feb 1, 2015

Greatly appreciate your responses guys, you have left me plenty to ponder. If Tradesman1 says it will work, and he is the guru, maybe I'll give it a shot

FWIW I certainly don't consider myself normal, I do software for a living and could certainly learn this stuff if I really wanted to, just have to decide if I want to invest the time.

Looking at the Q/A on various 2400 sets, I see folks mentioning they work fine in their z87 mobos. I suppose they could have pre-haswell processors, or not know how to check how fast they are running.

For example, this set 2x8GB 2400 Corsair set is 150$ at the moment, cheaper than similar yet slower memory. It makes me want to experiment at least.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233600

joe_be · Feb 1, 2015

Tradesman1 - from snooping your posts here, you like the Trident ram. I assume you'd recommend Trident between these two?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231589

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233600

Tradesman1 · Feb 1, 2015

The Vengeance Pro are good sticks - here you have CL11 vs the CL10 of the Tridents and the Vengeance don't really have any OC headroom - I got a set of there 32GB 2400/10 sticks (the Red VP) which are a bit better, but still don't have the OC headroom of the Tri's

Tradesman1 · Feb 2, 2015

I wrote an article for Tom's comparing AMD and Intel in how they perform with 2400 sticks (in 8 GB, 16GB and 32GB configs - among the sets I worked with was the VP Red in 2400/10 and the Tri's performed a bit better at 2400 and had more OC headroom. On Haswell you might look at the Team Xtreem 2400/10 set it was really good also, it was the best performer on the AMD rig and right with the Vengeance Pro on the Intel platform (it had a little more headroom than the VPs, was able to run the Team Xtreem smoothly at 2666

joe_be · Feb 2, 2015

The Team Xtreme's are currently even cheaper at 142$. I really appreciate your time, have a good week.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313325

Tradesman1 · Feb 2, 2015

Very good sticks, as seen there on the Egg's web page the label is nice looking but is on the one side and it's the side that faces the CPU - I know many like to show off their rigs and suggested to Team that put the labels on both sides - it's sort of a mirrored finish that changes colors as the light changes - I've already started suggesting and using them in builds.

joe_be · Feb 10, 2015

Hey @Tradesman1, just wanted to thank you again for your recommendation. I picked up those Team Group sticks that I linked above and they are working flawlessly. Cheers!

Tradesman1 · Feb 10, 2015

Great, glad to hear, have fun!

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