4GB DDR3/1333 Memory or 8GB DDR3/1333 Memory ?

[mardeona]

I'm building a new desktop computer, and I have 2 options for the RAM. But before the RAM, I have to choose which processor should I get here are the options I have :

Intel® Core™ i5-2300 Quad Core 2.8~3.1GHz w/6MB SmartCache - 5 GT/s DMI
or
Intel® Core™ i5-2500 Quad Core 3.3~3.7GHz w/6MB SmartCache - 5 GT/s DMI
I really don't understand what is the differences between them, anyone can help please ?

And here are the options I have for the RAM :

2GB DDR3/1333 Memory (1 DIMM) < I'm not thinking to get 2 GB at all
4GB DDR3/1333 Memory (2 DIMMs)
8GB DDR3/1333 Memory (2 DIMMs)

First I was going to get 8gb, but than I heard for gaming I don't need the 8gb, so I'm asking, does the 8gb worth the more 79$ or not ? and which processor should I get ?

Yes I'm going to use this computer for gaming, not a hard core gamer, but close to it. < going to run heavy game's as World of Warcraft, Cod..etc >

< I'm newB about building computers and staff >

Thanks

 

[chillin15]

For gaming, a 2500k with 8GB DDR3 1600 MHZ Memory works best. If you OC your processor to something mild like 4.2 GHZ, you will get even more of a performance increase. If you do not plan on OC'ing, then get the non k version. If you are going to OC, I suggest also buying a cpu cooler: CM Hyper 212+ seems to work well.

Processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

Ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

50bucks for 8gb..that is a steal.

As for proof, anandtech did s recent test of memory speeds here:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4503/sandy-bridge-memory-scaling-choosing-the-best-ddr3/8

The summary:
"The sweet spot appears to be at DDR3-1600, where you will see a minor performance increase over DDR3-1333 with only a slight increase in cost. The performance increase gained by going up to DDR3-1866 or DDR3-2133 isn't nearly as pronounced."

 

[chillin15]

Oh, and since you are new to building computers, please watch these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPIXAtNGGCw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_56kyib-Ls&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxaVBsXEiok&feature=relmfu

 

[cadder]

To answer your first question, the i5-2500 is roughly 20% faster than the i5-2300. If you get the i5-2500k then you can overclock it to gain up to 30% more speed than the i5-2500. (The i5-2300 and i5-2500 don't allow overclocking, only the "k" version does.)

You didn't say what OS you are going to run. If you are using a 32bit version of the OS then you won't be able to use more than 4GB of ram anyway, so the rest is wasted. If you use a 64big version of the OS then you can use more than 4GB, but it won't typically help you for gaming. It would only help if you are doing multiple things such as gaming, downloading, virus scanning all at the same time. There can be compatibility issues with the 64bit version of the OS so most people just use 4GB and the 32bit OS.

I would second the recommendation to get the "k" version of the cpu, get a good aftermarket cooler, and overclock it.

 

[jaquith]

I would 100% agree to spend the few extra and get the i5-2500K -> http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html both the i7-2600K and i5-2500K 'K' allow for OC BUT only on a P67 or Z68 MOBO. Hyper-Threading does nothing for gaming but it does add performance to e.g. Adobe; HT is only on the i7 models.

RAM is so cheap now I thinks it's crazy not to get a 2x4GB Kit and DDR3 1600 CAS 8/9 memory. Both >4GB and 1600 MHz are the Sandy Bridge & GPU preferred size and speed:
Size -> http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ram-memory-upgrade,2778-8.html
Speed -> http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/memory/2011/01/11/the-best-memory-for-sandy-bridge/1

HSF - Thermaltake Frio, Prolimatech Megahalems Rev.B, etc are good aftermarket HSF to OC. The Stock is very limited.

MOBO - look for a good 12+2 Phase MOBO e.g. ASUS P8P67 Pro or Gigabyte UD4/UD5 or their Z68 counterparts.

 

[chillin15]

ASrock Extreme 4 is also a good mobo with actually more pcie lanes than asus and gigabyte at the same price. Their Gen3 z68 is also PCIe 3.0 compatible

 

[mardeona]

I'm going to run 64bit OS.
So I should get i5-2500k and 8gb RAM ?
I also have a question about the numbers next to the RAM, like 8gb 1333 and 8gb 1600, is there a big difference between 1333 and 1600 ? if yes, should I get the 1600 for gaming or it doesn't matter ?

 

[jaquith]

I already provided links the answer the 2X4GB 1333 vs 1600. As of today in the USA the best SB RAM Kit for the $:
$60 F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445 with Promo Code

note the Speed -> link above + gaming

 

[chillin15]

I'm going to run 64bit OS.
So I should get i5-2500k and 8gb RAM ?
I also have a question about the numbers next to the RAM, like 8gb 1333 and 8gb 1600, is there a big difference between 1333 and 1600 ? if yes, should I get the 1600 for gaming or it doesn't matter ?

You should get 8gb of ram at 1600mhz. See my first response to you.

 

[jaquith]

The only issue with F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL is in 2 kits = 4x4GB frequently they end-up running at DDR3 1333 MHz; whereas the F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM can be OC to 1866+ MHz and easily run in double sets at DDR3 1600 MHz.

 

[chinoroy]

get the 2500K instead of the 2500non-K. and 8GB ram.