Need Suggestions on buying RAM

fictionyuuka · Dec 1, 2015

Hi, I'm planning to upgrade my computer RAM to 16gb and I'm wondering if I should buy another set of Ram modules with better memory frequency (GSkill RipjawsX 8GB (4GBX2) DDR3 1600 - F3-12800CL7D-8GBXM) or just buy another set of Ram identical to the one I'm currently using right now (GSkill RipjawsX 8GB (4GBX2) DDR3 1333 - F3-10666CL7D-8GBXH)

Proc.: I5 4690
mobo: lga1150 MSI H97-Gaming 3
VGA: Inno3d gtx 960 Herculez x2 2GB
RAM: GSkill RipjawsX 8GB (4GBX2) DDR3 1333 - F3-10666CL7D-8GBXH
HDD: Kingston SSDnow 128gb
PSU: Seasonic G 550w
Case: Aerocool GT-A Black Edition

I've been reading some post about the relations of the CAS latency and the memory frequency, the GSkill RipjawsX 8GB (4GBX2) DDR3 1333 - F3-10666CL7D-8GBXH has a better CAS Latency but has a lower memory frequency compared to (GSkill RipjawsX 8GB (4GBX2) DDR3 1600 - F3-12800CL7D-8GBXM) also I don't know if the (GSkill RipjawsX 8GB (4GBX2) DDR3 1600 - F3-12800CL7D-8GBXM will work on my motherboard as looking at the website of g skill it doesn't seem to show on the ram Configurator

http://www.gskill.com/en/configurator?manu=55&chip=2147...) as a compatible

Luminary · Dec 1, 2015

From your motherboard specification page: Support four DDR3 1066/1333/1600 MHz DRAM, 32GB Max

This would be a great pair to get. Supported by the motherboard, 1600MHz, CAS latency of 9:

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $59.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-01 16:53 EST-0500

fictionyuuka · Dec 1, 2015

Luminary :

I've read that memory modules with lower latency is more faster so I was thinking if there is a notable increase in performance if I buy a memory with a more memory frequency but has a lower CAS Latency

Luminary · Dec 1, 2015

If you can afford it, these would be a great pick then, still supported by your board, CAS of 7:

Memory: G.Skill Trident X 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($90.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $90.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-01 17:02 EST-0500

geofelt · Dec 1, 2015

There are two issues:

1. How to insure compatibility.
Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.
It is safer to get what you need in one kit.

You want documented ram compatibility. If you should ever have a problem, you want supported ram.
Otherwise, you risk a finger pointing battle between the ram and motherboard support sites, claiming "not my problem".
One place to check is your motherboards web site.
Look for the ram QVL list. It lists all of the ram kits that have been tested with that particular motherboard.
Sometimes the QVL list is not updated after the motherboard is released.
For more current info, go to a ram vendor's web site and access their ram selection configurator.
Enter your motherboard, and you will get a list of compatible ram kits.
While today's motherboards are more tolerant of different ram, it makes sense to buy ram that is known to work and is supported.

2. What specs?

For the most part, ram specs are of interest only to overclockers.
Real app performance is not much impacted by ram speed. Think a couple of % difference.
That is because faster ram requires higher latencies, negating most of the benefit.
Here is an article on haswell ram scaling:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell

My suggestion is to go ahead and buy a 2 x 8gb kit of supported ddr3 ram. I think you will find that 1866 speed or less will be the most economical.
A 2 stick kit will cost less and perform better.
Lastly, do not pay more for fancy heat spreaders; they are mostly for marketing.

Here is what I would buy from newegg. G.skil ares 1600. It has a good 9 cas number.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231606

fictionyuuka · Dec 1, 2015

geofelt :

There are two issues:

1. How to insure compatibility.
Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.
It is safer to get what you need in one kit.

You want documented ram compatibility. If you should ever have a problem, you want supported ram.
Otherwise, you risk a finger pointing battle between the ram and motherboard support sites, claiming "not my problem".
One place to check is your motherboards web site.
Look for the ram QVL list. It lists all of the ram kits that have been tested with that particular motherboard.
Sometimes the QVL list is not updated after the motherboard is released.
For more current info, go to a ram vendor's web site and access their ram selection configurator.
Enter your motherboard, and you will get a list of compatible ram kits.
While today's motherboards are more tolerant of different ram, it makes sense to buy ram that is known to work and is supported.

2. What specs?

For the most part, ram specs are of interest only to overclockers.
Real app performance is not much impacted by ram speed. Think a couple of % difference.
That is because faster ram requires higher latencies, negating most of the benefit.
Here is an article on haswell ram scaling:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell

My suggestion is to go ahead and buy a 2 x 8gb kit of supported ddr3 ram. I think you will find that 1866 speed or less will be the most economical.
A 2 stick kit will cost less and perform better.
Lastly, do not pay more for fancy heat spreaders; they are mostly for marketing.

Here is what I would buy from newegg. G.skil ares 1600. It has a good 9 cas number.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231606

Then I'll buy a 2x8gb memory module
thanks geofelt

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