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[Solved] Upgrading Memory - Need Experience

Forum Motherboards & Memory : Memory - [Solved] Upgrading Memory - Need Experience

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Best answer from mongox.

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Hey guys,

I'm tuning my home computer more towards video editing, this is my last semester before getting my BS in Television Production.

This computer will be used primarily for video editing.

I am contemplating upgrading to either 4g or 8g of memory, but I'm not entirely sure if 8 would be my best option.

Can my computer run 8g of memory? Also, would it be necessary?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122

This is the memory I was looking at, I am also open to suggestions for brands of memory, as I just usually go to the bestselling on Newegg.

SPECS:

Computer Type ACPI x64-based PC
Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2

Motherboard:
CPU Type QuadCore Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200, 2333 MHz (7 x 333)
Motherboard Name Asus P5N-D (2 PCI, 2 PCI-E x1, 2 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Gigabit LAN, IEEE-1394)
Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce 750i SLI
System Memory 2048 MB (DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM)
DIMM1: Corsair XMS2 Pro CM2X1024-6400PRO 1 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-18 @ 400 MHz) (4-4-4-13 @ 270 MHz)
DIMM2: Corsair XMS2 Pro CM2X1024-6400PRO 1 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-18 @ 400 MHz) (4-4-4-13 @ 270 MHz)

Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ (512 MB)
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+ (512 MB)
3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX
Monitor Acer AL2216W [22" LCD] (L74090386340)

Thanks

Add a reply

Your motherboard specs are here:
http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=yQYfAtkxxZMjR79G

It supports 8GB. This would be 4 - 2GB modules at 800MHz max.

I couldn't find your Corsair model with a "PRO" on the end. But it's likely this:
http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/CM2X1024-6400.pdf

If so, note the important spec of 1.9V. If you can match this and the other specs, no reason you can't try system at 6GB.
This is the 2048 version of your module:
http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/CM2X2048-6400C5.pdf
Or in the 2 module kit
http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets [...] 6400C5.pdf

The specs on the RAM you have are good enough to not toss them out. You might be able to OC them now to a CL=4 anyway.

I'd try adding the 2 new 2GB modules and see how you like the system. There's always a chance the motherboard won't like having 2GB and 1GB RAM in at the same time, but not likely as long as voltage is the same or close. If you're running all those functions on Auto now, reading the SPD, I'd say it'll all work fine

But but but... you're running Vista Home? Isn't this a 32.bit version of Vista? If so, it's not going to address more than just over 3GBs anyway - with 4 or 6 or 8GBs installed. Need a 64-bit version of Vista, or Win7, to take advantage of more than 4GBs of RAM.

From what I read, video editing would enjoy having LOTS of RAM.

Sounds like it's time to investigate upgrading to Win 7.

Best answer

Your motherboard specs are here:
http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=yQYfAtkxxZMjR79G

It supports 8GB. This would be 4 - 2GB modules at 800MHz max.

I couldn't find your Corsair model with a "PRO" on the end. But it's likely this:
http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/CM2X1024-6400.pdf

The specs on the RAM you have are good enough to not toss them out. You might be able to OC them now to a CL=4 anyway.

From what I read, video editing would enjoy having LOTS of RAM.

Sounds like it's time to investigate upgrading to Win 7.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by mongox on 09-30-2009 at 05:23:38 PM

Reply to mongox

mongox wrote :

Your motherboard specs are here:
http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=yQYfAtkxxZMjR79G

It supports 8GB. This would be 4 - 2GB modules at 800MHz max.

I couldn't find your Corsair model with a "PRO" on the end. But it's likely this:
http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/CM2X1024-6400.pdf

If so, note the important spec of 1.9V. If you can match this and the other specs, no reason you can't try system at 6GB.
This is the 2048 version of your module:
http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/CM2X2048-6400C5.pdf
Or in the 2 module kit
http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets [...] 6400C5.pdf

The specs on the RAM you have are good enough to not toss them out. You might be able to OC them now to a CL=4 anyway.

I'd try adding the 2 new 2GB modules and see how you like the system. There's always a chance the motherboard won't like having 2GB and 1GB RAM in at the same time, but not likely as long as voltage is the same or close. If you're running all those functions on Auto now, reading the SPD, I'd say it'll all work fine

But but but... you're running Vista Home? Isn't this a 32.bit version of Vista? If so, it's not going to address more than just over 3GBs anyway - with 4 or 6 or 8GBs installed. Need a 64-bit version of Vista, or Win7, to take advantage of more than 4GBs of RAM.

From what I read, video editing would enjoy having LOTS of RAM.

Sounds like it's time to investigate upgrading to Win 7.

Thank you so much for your input.

As for my windows, I have the 64bit vista. I honestly didn't know Windows 7 was out, that will definitely be included in my upgrade.

With memory as cheap as it is, I'm not concerned with keeping my old memory, I'll toss this memory in a backup computer.

Should I be aiming at primarily Corsair RAM? Would that be better than what I found on Newegg?

Reply to Stealthrx

you should consider a mild overclock on that processor. it can easily get to 3.2ghz(if the multiplier is changeable)

400mhz * 7 = 2.8 or just up the multiplier to x8 if possible

you would need a new head sink the stock ones for those are pretty terribad.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to rand_79

rand_79 wrote :

Appreciate the input, but my processor has been functioning just fine.

I'm more concerned with my memory questions.

Reply to Stealthrx

If you're not going to keep the old Corsair, then any brand is up for grabs.

Most would list these as the "best" brands in no particular order - Corsair, OCZ, G.Skill, Crucial. I'm sure folks could argue this too!

Since we know you're getting 800MHz, look for low CL, low voltage (usually means newer design, better quality) and price.

Here's a list at NewEgg showing all their 800 @4 DDR2. Note the voltages.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] rder=PRICE

This G.Skill set jumps out at me due to 1.8V-1.9V and price is good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231219

Reply to mongox

well I was just mentioning it because that processor with the low speed will have more of an effect on video editing than memory.

a 20% overclock will translate very well into 20% faster video editing

they also overclock very easy.. I've had my q6600 at 3.2ghz for 1.5 years now (max 3.6ghz)

Message edited by rand_79 on 10-01-2009 at 12:06:12 AM

Reply to rand_79

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