Need more ram: 8gb to 16gb

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smilemore

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Hi,

I want to add more RAM to my pc. Currently I have 2 sticks of 4gb(linked below), and I was going to order 2 more sticks of 4gb to make 16gb, but newegg doesn't sell the same exact RAM anymore. What are my other options? Am I able to buy any RAM as long as the numbers are the same, such as: DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800), Timing 9-9-9-24, CAS Latency 9, Voltage 1.5V? Does the brand matter?

Is it worth it to have 4 sticks of 4gb to make 16? People say 2x8 is better, but that's double the price and the RAM I have now would be useless.

RAM I have: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416

Thanks in advance!
 
Solution
Karadjgne
The 1866 is a hair faster, and I mean a really thin hair, the difference being so small you'd not be able to see it, it takes running the formulae to a depth of nano-seconds worth of difference. For all intents and purposes, they are the same thing. You'd only see any slight difference in a side-by-side system, under specific programs that actually benefit from faster ram, such as win-zip or some other compiling apps, and the difference could be measured in seconds over long compiles. You'd maybe see a second worth of difference in boot speeds if measuring exact points of windows ability.

With performance so close to being identical, especially on an intel platform used for mostly gaming purposes, the cheaper ram is the better value.
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Gam3r01

Gam3r01

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The more specs you can match the better, speed, timings, brand, etc.
However, even two identical kits may not work together. Only RAM sold in the same kit are guaranteed to work together.

You can add another 2x4GB kit and see how it goes, but know theres about a 20% chance (average, its really a guess) that it wont work.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
The internal workings are designed for the capacity of the kit.
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.
This is more difficult when more sticks are involved.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.

If you do buy more disparate sticks, they must be the same speed, voltage and cas numbers.
Even then your chances of working are less than 100%

What is your plan "B" if the new stick/s do not work?

Sometimes increasing the ram voltage in the bios will make things work.

If you want 16gb, my suggestion is to buy a 2 x 8gb kit that matches your current specs.
Then, try adding in your old 8gb,
If it works, good; you now have extra ram.
If not, sell the old ram or keep it as a spare.



 
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smilemore

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Are these specs good enough for gaming in 2018?

DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800), Timing 9-9-9-24, CAS Latency 9, Voltage 1.5V

Is there any other speed or timing that is better than what I have currently? If not, I'll just buy the same stuff 2x8.

Is corsair vengeance or g skill sniper better quality?
https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10-Vengeance-Desktop-Memory/dp/B006EWUO22/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1536988851&sr=1-1&keywords=corsair+vengeance+ddr3+ram+16gb

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231609&cm_re=gskill_sniper_ddr3_16gb-_-20-231-609-_-Product

Where would I sell my old RAM sticks? Anyone ever sell ram before?
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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Ebay. I'd not spend the cash to buy new DDR3, not when you can ebay and buy 16Gb (2x8Gb) 1866MHz for $20

1600 is generally Cas9. There are sets that go as low as Cas7 at stock settings, but they are not easy to find, nor cheap. Corsair Dominator is the most used in those timings.

Personally I've been quite happy with 1866MHz Cas10, it's a hair faster than 1600MHz Cas9, but I've got mine OC to 2400MHz Cas 11 which is closer to 1600MHz Cas7 speeds.
 
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smilemore

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I'm going to just buy new.

So these specs are most optimal for gaming, ya?
DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Timing 9-9-9-24
CAS Latency 9
Voltage 1.5V

There is a 1600 set and a 1866 set, which is better?

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231609&cm_re=gskill_sniper_ddr3_16gb-_-20-231-609-_-Product&RandomID=622532425254720180914202519
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231611&cm_re=.SKILL_Sniper_Gaming_Series_16GB_%282_x_8GB%29_240-Pin_DDR3_SDRAM_DDR3-_-20-231-611-_-Product
 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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The 1866 is a hair faster, and I mean a really thin hair, the difference being so small you'd not be able to see it, it takes running the formulae to a depth of nano-seconds worth of difference. For all intents and purposes, they are the same thing. You'd only see any slight difference in a side-by-side system, under specific programs that actually benefit from faster ram, such as win-zip or some other compiling apps, and the difference could be measured in seconds over long compiles. You'd maybe see a second worth of difference in boot speeds if measuring exact points of windows ability.

With performance so close to being identical, especially on an intel platform used for mostly gaming purposes, the cheaper ram is the better value.
 
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