Can a faster DDR4 memory module improve the GPU performance in an entry level rig?

caiokn

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Greetings!

I'm currently thinking of building a rig with a Pentium G4400 paired with a mini-itx mobo and a GTX 950 or R7 370 to serve as media center and casual gaming (JRPGs, GTA V, MGS V, older games). I recently saw a video of the i3 6100 in Digital Foundry's channel where it showed that faster memory (2666 Mhz) helped boost the fps and frame times by a significant amount (paired with a strong gpu). In my case, would a memory that fast help me extract more performance from the GTX 950 or R7 370? I already have a rig with an older Pentium G850 that runs fine for my needs, but since my cousin will be travelling to Europe in a couple months I'd like to seize the opportunity to get some good components for cheaper than they usually cost in Brazil (where I live). Note that I won't be OCing the G4400 nor the GPU.

Any help is much appreciated!
 

Dugimodo

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The only Time I've seen significant fps gains from memory speed is when using the integrated GPU. Even going from single to dual channel which would seem like a major change often has little noticeable effect depending on the application.

If you can get faster RAM for close to the same price it might be worthwhile, but as CBender says if the price difference could get you a faster CPU or GPU instead then that's the smarter choice.

Also bear in mind RAM speed will default to the standard for the CPU with intel chipsets and you'll need to use the XMP profile in BIOS or manually set the clock speeds to actually get it to clock at it's fastest speed.
 

caiokn

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I know what you mean, but the difference from a 2133 Mhz to a 2400 or 2600 Mhz module would be very small, less than 10 euros. Unfortunately with that I can't really get a better CPU or GPU, and I don't really need another SSD (already have a 120GB one, with less than half used, forgot to mention in my first post). I thought about it because I believe the GTX 950 is a bit too much for the G4400 to handle in some situations, so I thought about a way to minimize a possible bottleneck without having to change components, since the Pentium G4500 is 20-25 euros more expensive, and a GTX 750 Ti would seem too much of a downgrade from the GTX 950.
 

caiokn

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Well, the difference between the 2133 module and the 2400 one would be less than 10 euros, so I guess it will be worth it. I'm not sure if the mobo I'm gonna get (MSI H110I-PRO) supports XMP but it has something called DDR4 Boost, which I didn't really understand what does, but may be helpful, I guess. I have no problems with tweaking a few settings on BIOS though. Theoretically speaking, wouldn't faster RAM help the CPU work faster and minimize bottlenecks in case of a GPU being one tier higher than the CPU?

 
This seems highly questionable, can you provide the link. On the integrated GPU it would matter a great deal as the iGPU uses the system RAM as VRAM but not on a discrete GPU, the GPU carriers its own dedicated VRAM.

Now total RAM available can matter. If your current pool is to low then the CPU+GPU will have to hit up the hard drive to get more information which is significantly slower then pulling it from the system RAM pool. Recommended is 8 to 16 gigs these days.

RAM speed made a much bigger difference in the DDR1 and DDR2 eras but stopped being a major factor in DDR3 and 4.
 

caiokn

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Hello, yes, here's the link to both the video and written review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G-7bfPG2dE

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-intel-core-i3-6100-review

My intention is to get 8GB RAM, probably a 2x4GB kit.
 
okay I see the problem you're attributing an average fps increase of 5 as "significant". Most users would consider that a minor or mild improvement. Not to mention their test was just the averages without max/min and 99th percentile so we have no idea if their performance is spiking or dipping wildly which is what an end user actually cares about (and is probably what was happening to Ryse).

Anyways if you are desperate for that 5 fps go ahead but most people would recommend saving money for a better GPU or CPU and get a much greater performance increase. But if you are completely strapped for cash you can if you want to. Just don't expect a night and day difference.

Remember to be sure you're board can actually handle faster RAM.
 

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Faster DRAM most often increases overall performance when using the iGPU, it can increase performance in certain games even with a discrete GPU i.e. Fallout $ loves fast DRAM

http://wccftech.com/fallout-4-performance-heavily-influenced-by-ram-speed-according-to-report/

will be seeing more of this as developers utilize DRAM more and more
 

caiokn

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Well, obtaining 10% to 15% more performance just by changing RAM speeds surely looked nice, since I'm on a short budget and the difference between 2133 Mhz modules and faster ones is kinda small... But yeah, I didn't consider the possibility of spikes and other stuff, so I completely agree with you on the lack of min. framerates and percentiles - if it stutters a lot it wouldn't do me any good. It's not that I'm really desperate for 5 more fps, but since it would be a new build I'd like to push it to the limits of its capacity, without running into severe bottlenecks.

Now I'm thinking that a GTX 750 Ti and normal 2133 Mhz memories would make the system more balanced, and then I could save some money to buy a better CPU or an aftermarket cooler, a LED strip or some fancy cable extensions.

Thx all for your help, sorry if I made some grammar mistakes XD
 

caiokn

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Hello

Just now I was thinking that going with a Pentium G4400 + GTX 750 Ti and a pair of 2133Mhz RAM sticks would make the system more balanced than it would be with a G4400 + GTX 950 and 2666 Mhz RAM, what do you think? Based on the info from the link you posted, faster RAM could help minimize CPU bottlenecks, which I believe is the case of the latter build.
 

caiokn

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lol, I guess there's just no way that a faster memory would reeeeally help a dual core CPU handle a GTX 950 better, right? I guess I'll settle with the G4400, basic DDR4 RAM and GTX 750 Ti (or maybe an AMD RX 460 if is already available at the time of purchase)

Thx all :)