Memory performance: 12GB vs 24GB

[simplefranco]

Hello everyone, as usual, my #1 advisors for hardware upgrades!

So, I have successfully assembled my very 1st home build PC, and one of the choices I made was to leave memory for last.

Tthe machine has shown very great performance and stability compared to my old rig and is now problems free, so I have some money saved and I thought I should start using triple-channel DDR3 (currently using 2 * 2GB @ 1333).
I have an EVGA x58 that should handle up to 24GB @ 1600 Mhz.

Now my main concern is I believe there are some sort of boundaries where it's just not worth spending so much. I was thinking about going for 6 * 2GB @ 1600Mhz, which will fill the whole 6 slots but I am not sure if I am throwing performance away. I say this because I use this computer for gaming and will need it for video & post-production rendering and "time is of the essence".

I want to make rendering as fast as possible, so far I think I have decent specs for the job, except for memory:

EVGA x58
i7 950 @ 3.06GHz
nV GTX 460 1GB
SAMSUNG F3 @ 7200
4GB @ 1333 Mhz

running on a 64-bit Windows 7

As usual, thanks in advance!

 

[jaquith]

Unless you're rendering 3X2GB on Windows 7 x64 is plenty, but since you're rendering start with 12GB or if the $ is there 24GB, but you'll need 4GB sticks to leave your options open. I would recommend 3X4GB over 6X2GB the switching "more sticks" is slower with 6X_GB.

I would look at the CORSAIR DOMINATOR 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3 1600CMP12GX3M3A1600C9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145321
or if OC'ing the CORSAIR DOMINATOR GT 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3 2000 CMT12GX3M3A2000C9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145329

If you 24GB the best is to get a fully match 6X4GB set -> G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 24GB (6 x 4GB)DDR3 1600 F3-12800CL9T2-24GBR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231359

Corsair as of now is not Mfg'ing 6X4GB matched sets.

 

[simplefranco]

Unless you're rendering 3X2GB on Windows 7 x64 is plenty, but since you're rendering start with 12GB or if the $ is there 24GB, but you'll need 4GB sticks to leave your options open. I would recommend 3X4GB over 6X2GB the switching "more sticks" is slower with 6X_GB.

I would look at the CORSAIR DOMINATOR 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3 1600CMP12GX3M3A1600C9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145321
or if OC'ing the CORSAIR DOMINATOR GT 12GB (3 x 4GB) DDR3 2000 CMT12GX3M3A2000C9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145329

If you 24GB the best is to get a fully match 6X4GB set -> G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 24GB (6 x 4GB)DDR3 1600 F3-12800CL9T2-24GBR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231359

Corsair as of now is not Mfg'ing 6X4GB matched sets.

I was unsure if someone would say "Nah, you won't notice much difference from 12GB to 24". I hope it's not the case.

I'll start with 12GB see how it handles.

Thanks!

 

[jaquith]

I was unsure if someone would say "Nah, you won't notice much difference from 12GB to 24". I hope it's not the case.

I'll start with 12GB see how it handles.

Thanks!

I don't render, BUT I task the RAM + CPU + SSD equally if not harder with 'trial' SQL runs on my i7 930's that take up to several hours to flatten a HUGE SQL database; in a 4 hour run I'm shaving-off on 1600 MHz CAS 8 Dominator about 10~20+ minutes plus. Your 'Production' rig is 'unique' for a rendering rig. For my production runs everything is done on large servers.

Q - What are you 'rendering' - "I want to make rendering as fast as possible..."

 

[JackNaylorPE]

You're a bit "whacked" at the moment as the 1366 platform is built to use triple channel memory in a 3 x 2Gb configuration. You're bit "gimped" w/ 2 x 2G.

If the stuff is "new" perhaps you can return it for a proper set. Try out the 3 x 2G and if ya find yaself wanting.

If it's from newegg, here's the return policy

http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#41

As to what it might do for you, 6 vs 12 vs 24, I'd consult your software vendor.

 

[simplefranco]

Heya, thanks for all the feedback!

Q - What are you 'rendering'

For now, mostly motion graphics in After FX, but I am moving on to 3D (considering AE is 2.5D). The performance is ok, but as JackNaylorPE said, I am supposed to be running triple-channel, so nothing to lose there.

You're a bit "whacked" at the moment as the 1366 platform is built to use triple channel memory in a 3 x 2Gb configuration. You're bit "gimped" w/ 2 x 2G.

Yep, long story short, when building the machine I thought I could take most of my components to the new system and keep upgrading it whenever I had the extra money for it. Thing is, the mainboard is not DDR 2 compatible, haha, so when I was plugging in the memory sticks, I immediately noticed something was wrong. So the very next day I bought the cheapest (which were not cheap at all!) DDR 3 sticks I could find.

Thanks for the info, but it's not from newegg, heh. How is it by the way? I am quite happy with my hardware supplier, but if I can find cheaper, hey
Good reputation?

Thanks once again!

 

[jaquith]

Since your rendering, I would recommend selling your Dual Channel Kit and use one of the kits I linked above. Yeah, it's the first thing I noticed {2x2}; you could simply add another IDENTICAL 2X2GB Kit for a total of 8GB if 8GB is adequate. Yes, you are running Dual Channel mode but it's not the end of the world. {see below}

Good Luck!

 

[pshivdikar]

Don't think only memory increasing means increased your coversion speed or rendering. Now try to get good SMPS with dual rail. Choose good brand and minimum 800 watts