4x1gb or 2x2gb with Gigabyte mobo

[hamitaltintop22]

Hello,

I recently got a GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L with OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 1066. It works fine with xp but I want to get 4gb with vista 64-bit. Should I go with another 2x1gb ocz ram or just refund the ocz ram and get 2x2gb ram? The gigabyte memory support page says that the only 2gb it supports is micron. Is this because the site isn't updated.

And if you say that I should go with 2x2gb ram, then should I go with ddr2 800 or 1066? I play games like Crysis, will it make a big difference?

Another possibility for me is to get vista 32-bit, keep the 2x1gb ocz ram and buy another gig of ram.

What should I do?

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[hamitaltintop22]

I would actually prefer the solution with less hassle. Returning the ram seems like alot of work

 

[pinaplex]

if you can go for vista 64, then i would go with that. As for the support page for Gigabyte, don't worry about that. That just lists that micron ram has been tested with that board. It doesn't mean it is the only brand it will support.

If you go for vista 64, then get the 2x2gb modules, so you can upgrade later if you want.

As for Crysis, you won't see much difference between 800 and 1066 in terms of FPS, that is more dependant on your GPU.

 

[hamitaltintop22]

I have a evga 8800gt.
Would filling all four of the slots with the 1gb ocz ddr2 1066 ram create problems?

Also, thanks for the quick reply pinaplex.

 

[pinaplex]

it shouldn't create a problem if you fill all the memory slots as along as you run the memory at correct timings and voltages.

Also, what resolution are you running crysis at? an 8800GT is a good card, but it's gonna be hard to get good framerates at higher resolutions with crysis

 

[geofelt]

If you can return the 2x1gb kit in favor of a 2x2gb kit, I would do that.
1) A 2x2gb kit will preserve your option to go to 8gb which Vista-64 loves.
2) A 2x2gb kit is easier for the motherboard to manage, so it should overclock better, if you are into that.
3) A 2x2gb kit will be matched. A second pair of sticks of the same ram might not come from the same batch, and have slightly different characteristics. Some motherboards will be very sensitive to this.

Otherwise a 4x1gb arrangement will be just fine.

Motherboard QVL memory specs do not get updated often, if at all after launch. Go to the ram vendor's web site and access their configurator. Enter your mobo, and you will get a list of their parts that will run properly. Corsair, Kingston, and Patriot have these configurators. Others may have them also.

Core 2 processors are not very sensitive to ram speeds. There is very little difference in real(vs. synthetic benchmark) application performance between DDR2-800 and much faster ram. Think 1-2%. It's not worth it to me, unless you are looking for maximum overclocks.

 

[hamitaltintop22]

The 8800gt is the superclocked version. I am actually playing on low resolution but with high setting because it was automatically set to that. I think it was about 1000 to i don't know 800. I have a small 17" monitor anyway.

So for the timing and voltages I just set it to what it is supposed to be in the bios after I install OS, right? So do I use 5-5-5-15 for timing. That is what it has as specs on newegg. But for the voltage it has 2.1 to 2.3. Which one do I use?

OCZ Ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227178

EVGA 8800gt sc
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130319
It is deactivated now, lol. But newegg still has the non-superclocked version.

 

[hamitaltintop22]

Core 2 processors are not very sensitive to ram speeds. There is very little difference in real(vs. synthetic benchmark) application performance between DDR2-800 and much faster ram. Think 1-2%. It's not worth it to me, unless you are looking for maximum overclocks.

Thanks a lot! I have a core 2 duo e8400 at clock speed of 3.00ghz.
Do you think vista 32-bit will have any problems, memory wise, running crysis with 4x1gb (since it only sees 3gb)?

 

[geofelt]

From a software point of view, there is no difference between 4x1gb and 2x2gb. A 32 bit os will have about 3.3gb to work with. Crysis should run fine with that amount of ram. It will be the vga card that limits your frame rate in crysis.

 

[hamitaltintop22]

So what about the timing and voltage. Should I make them what they are supposed to be according to newegg in my bios? Timing 5-5-5-15 and voltage 2.1 or 2.3?

 

[geofelt]

The ram you mentioned is really ddr2-800 ram that has been binned, and is certified to run at a higher speed if you give it additional voltage. 1.8 or 1.9 volts is the normal spec.

The timings do not make a whole lot of difference. I would return it and get a 2x2gb kit of basic ddr2-800 ram for less$ that runs at the stock voltage of 1.8 or 1.9v.

 

[hamitaltintop22]

Is going with a 2x512mb ram for the two empty slots worth a try?

I understand that the 2x2gb ram is the best option, but I want to know all my options.
For the 2x2gb kit of basic ddr2-800 ram what would you recommend? Its got to be cheap.
how about this:
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

 

[geofelt]

Adding 2x512mb of the same ram will almost certainly work. You will then have 3gb in dual channel mode.

The Corsair memory works just fine. I have 8gb of those modules in my DS3R. It's cheap, and they have good support also.

 

[hamitaltintop22]

For the the 2x512mb ram is it okay if the ram is of a different brand and speed? What has to match with the existing 2x1gb ocz 1066 ram?
Can you put a link to one you would recommend (from newegg preferably)?

 

[califmike2003]

You cant run 4 1gb sticks on that board, i know i have that board and tried it, wont post, i would get 2 2gb sticks of 1066 thats what im running, if it did run on 4 1gb sticks its alot more work for the memory controller anyway, get 2 2gb sticks, you will be in good shape.

 

[hamitaltintop22]

You cant run 4 1gb sticks on that board, i know i have that board and tried it, wont post, i would get 2 2gb sticks of 1066 thats what im running, if it did run on 4 1gb sticks its alot more work for the memory controller anyway, get 2 2gb sticks, you will be in good shape.

Thanks man. That answered my question perfectly. I was a little worried that that would be the problem. I am going to sell the 1gb sticks and get 2 2gb sticks.

 

[bilbat]

Would recommend Mushkin memory if you're buying new - very thorough Gb forum at tweaktown indicates that Gb boards are generally 'happy' with Mushkin RAM; certainly doesn't mean anyone else's WON"T run, just seems Mushkin needs fewer 'tweaks' to run, and if you're interested in DOING tweaks to OC, you might be able to push the Mushkin further...

 

[califmike2003]

Im running 4 gb of corsair dominator 1066, works great.