Upgrade to more ram memory, will I be able to use 2x8GB 1600Mhz or only 1333Mhz with my setup?

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ShotInTheHead

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Apr 16, 2016
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My computer is getting on in the years so I am looking to upgrade my memory since I have a low 4GB (2x2GB) and I'm trying to learning to use photoshop and other programs like it, I feel like my memory is lacking quite a bit.

So my question or issue is:
- Will my motherboard (GigaByte GA890GPA UD3H) and/or my CPU (AMD Phenom II X4 955 3.20 GHz) support 2x8GB memory with 1600 MHz or more? (I have windows 7, 64bit. My motherboard is Rev 2.1)
- If it can, will it actually run at 1600Mhz or will it lower automatically?
- If not, am I limited to 1333Mhz?
- Is there a limit to which kind or size of ram, e.g 2x4GB, 4x4GB, 2x8GB. (As far as I understood my motherboard only supports a max of 16GB)

I have tried to read on my own regarding this issue, but I honestly don't know what I am doing when it comes to computers.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Solution
CountMike
I told you about my experience with same MB. I bought 2x8 BG Kingston HyperX 1600MHz RAM and it recognized sticks as 2x4GB. When I put 4x4GB of same memory it worked at 1600MHz with Ph IIx4 965BE processor but because of more load on processor MC, overclock was limited to 4GHz comparing to 2x4GB and 4.2GHz OC because of overheating.
Because of MC on those processors is default 1333MHz everything over that is considered OC but it's doable providing good CPU cooling.
My computer run 2 years and 24/7 on those settings.
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junkeymonkey

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according to that board memory chart 1600 don't ''downgrade so it should run 1600 ,but them AMD chips are just rated for 1333 so you will have to manually set timings and all [1600 speeds is a overclock]

Memory controller The number of controllers: 1
Memory channels: 2
Channel width (bits): 72
Supported memory: DDR2-1066, DDR3-1333
DIMMs per channel: up to 2
Maximum memory bandwidth (GB/s): 21.3

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Phenom%20II%20X4%20955%20Black%20Edition%20-%20HDZ955FBK4DGM%20(HDZ955FBGMBOX).html

as fart as going to the 16gb limit ?? maybe use the 2x8gb ,better overall

http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=64095
[opinion]

http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Memory/mb_memory_ga-890gpa-ud3h_v.2.1.pdf

http://www.overclock.net/t/1203438/amd-phenom-ii-x4-965-ram-limitation

http://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-articles/Pages/ddr3memoryfrequencyguide.aspx
 
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ShotInTheHead

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So if I buy 2x8GB with 1600Mhz, there is going to be no problem to just lower it to 1333 in the bios? But I will also have to do the timings? Sounds like a lot of things can go wrong since I don't know what I am doing.
 
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junkeymonkey

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ShotInTheHead

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Why wouldn't it take the 8GB ram sticks? As I have read 4x4Gb would put more pressure on the system than 2x8GB.
 
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ShotInTheHead

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The thing is that I want 16GB ram if that is possible, as I have read 2x8GB is better than 4x4GB since it is less taxing on the system, maybe it is wrong?
As for downing it to 1333, it is because people have written that my motherboard and CPU cannot handle 1600.
And here is the twist, everyone writes differently, either 1600 will not work, some write it will, some say I can only have 1333 and some say I can have 2100 if I so want.
Some say I can down it to 1333 if 1600 won't work, some say it is not possible to down the ram.
I have no idea who to trust since everyone writes differently.

I am not planning to use my old ram (2x2GB) with the new ram I am going to buy.
 
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CountMike

CountMike

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I told you about my experience with same MB. I bought 2x8 BG Kingston HyperX 1600MHz RAM and it recognized sticks as 2x4GB. When I put 4x4GB of same memory it worked at 1600MHz with Ph IIx4 965BE processor but because of more load on processor MC, overclock was limited to 4GHz comparing to 2x4GB and 4.2GHz OC because of overheating.
Because of MC on those processors is default 1333MHz everything over that is considered OC but it's doable providing good CPU cooling.
My computer run 2 years and 24/7 on those settings.
 
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junkeymonkey

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well its not like Kingston get the most issue threads here at toms that I see [sure seems that way] ? but that's the risk with 8gb sticks I had a asus sabertooth 990fx that just spit and sputtered on gskill 1600 2x8gb flat did not like them , but I got them same sticks running fine and dandy in this z87 build with out issue .

memory can be finicky at times .

 
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