RAM Compatibility and Recommended amount

[LetsOlympics]

First question is whether this:

Kingston HyperX 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104244


is compatible with:
ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3067296&SID=

The pin-sizes are right but the motherboard's standard doesn't include 1600. I don't actually know what "standard" refers to.

Secondly, is it worth buying 2 sticks of this RAM for a total of 8GB of memory? Or will one suffice? The only downside I can think of for having "too much RAM" is excess heat for unnecessary memory but will I notice a difference when gaming?

 

[nikorr]

First question is whether this:

Kingston HyperX 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104244


is compatible with:
ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3067296&SID=

The pin-sizes are right but the motherboard's standard doesn't include 1600. I don't actually know what "standard" refers to.

Secondly, is it worth buying 2 sticks of this RAM for a total of 8GB of memory? Or will one suffice? The only downside I can think of for having "too much RAM" is excess heat for unnecessary memory but will I notice a difference when gaming?

Hi there,

While the price is great, it may not work without a problem, because it is @ 1.65V and u need 1.5V.

 

[nikorr]

Get this one instead ... And do not get less than 8GB! Your system will like it.


G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model F3-8500CL7D-8GBRL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231308

 

[inzone]

GeIL Enhance CORSA 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model GEC38GB1333C9DC
$39.99 and free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144484

You could go with the ram that nikorr has sugested or you can go with this one. You may not use the full 8gb when gaming but you also may use more than 4gb and with the heat spreader it will dissapate the heat so that your fans will circulate it out of the case. Usually one 8gb stick is more expensive then two 4gb sticks.

 

[LetsOlympics]

I read another thread and they said if your voltages are different you can go into BIOS and bump up your motherboard's to match the RAM's required. They made it sound like it was no big deal so I might actually try that.

 

[inzone]

What voltages are you talking about? The Sandy Bridge cpu's want ram sticks that are 1.5v and the memory controller is on the chip so if you start messing around with that voltage you are risking your cpu.

 

[nikorr]

I read another thread and they said if your voltages are different you can go into BIOS and bump up your motherboard's to match the RAM's required. They made it sound like it was no big deal so I might actually try that.

That is correct, but what if your mobo will not boot at all?

Your mobo is Micro ATX H61 Motherboard.

Its not the same workhorse that $150 ATX mobo delivers.

 

[nikorr]

What voltages are you talking about? The Sandy Bridge cpu's want ram sticks that are 1.5v and the memory controller is on the chip so if you start messing around with that voltage you are risking your cpu.

He was talking about the Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3/4G, that one is 1.65V : )

 

[nikorr]

I read another thread and they said if your voltages are different you can go into BIOS and bump up your motherboard's to match the RAM's required. They made it sound like it was no big deal so I might actually try that.

Also, even if u OC the RAM, lots of people have the BSOD's, so it is not what u want, especially when u have a choice.

If the price is the preference,

get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144495

@ $33.99 + FREE SHIPPING

 

[LetsOlympics]

When checking to see if the motherboard and the RAM are compatible, what am I looking for? Anything besides the standard, pin-size and voltage?

 

[LetsOlympics]

I haven't purchased that motherboard yet, it was just the primary one i was looking to buy because it was such a great value. But I'm looking into Z68 ones now and they all seem to be compatible.

 

[nikorr]

Also, if u have a large aftermarket cooler and u choose the high profile RAM, it may not fit under, in some cases.

If u have XMP and your mobo supports it - get it.

If it is Dual Channel Kit or triple or quad.

 

[nikorr]

I haven't purchased that motherboard yet, it was just the primary one i was looking to buy because it was such a great value. But I'm looking into Z68 ones now and they all seem to be compatible.

If u can afford Z68, get it!

 

[LetsOlympics]

I was hoping to build a $500 computer but things got out of hand.
Before I knew it, I'd purchased an SSD and an i5 processor instead of an i3 so now I figure I might as well throw in the extra $50 and get a better mobo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271&RandomID=982437610244120120202185605

This one doesn't have a voltage listed though but I'm really hoping it's compatible with that Kingston I listed earlier. Mostly because I already bought it on an impulse.

 

[nikorr]

You know LetsOlympics, the PC's are endless money pit : )

That mobo, is great, I recommend it a lot.

 

[nikorr]

But, tell us, what is the primary usage of this PC?

Games?
No games, but want it to be fast : )

 

[LetsOlympics]

But, tell us, what is the primary usage of this PC?

Games?
No games, but want it to be fast : )

Yeah, gaming. Maybe some BF3 but mostly ME3 and GW2.

 

[nikorr]

What components do u own so far?

 

[LetsOlympics]

Sapphire AMD Radeon 6850
Intel 80GB SSD
Some old HD i'm taking out of my current computer
Lian Li Case.

If you want specifics I can also get you the links.
Actually, here's another change of events. Newegg was generous enough to allow me to cancel the order on those Kingstons. It must be a sign from the Lord that I was overstepping my budget.

TLDR: I'm still leaning towards the ASrock H61M and some 15V RAM, probably one of the ones people have listed above.

 

[nikorr]

Sapphire AMD Radeon 6850
Intel 80GB SSD
Some old HD i'm taking out of my current computer
Lian Li Case.

If you want specifics I can also get you the links.
Actually, here's another change of events. Newegg was generous enough to allow me to cancel the order on those Kingstons. It must be a sign from the Lord that I was overstepping my budget.

TLDR: I'm still leaning towards the ASrock H61M and some 15V RAM, probably one of the ones people have listed above.

OK, and 1 more time how much money is left and what is needed to be bought?

PSU? Keyboard+mouse? LCD? ...

 

[LetsOlympics]

$400-$500. Coming in below budget just gives me more cash for the screen.

processor, motherboard, RAM, Battery, CD-Drive.

I still need a keyboard and screen but those are on a separate budget.

Planned:
ASRock H51M Motherboard ($70)
Silverstone Strider 500W Battery ($55)
Some kind of RAM (circa $40)
Asus CD-Drive ($20)
Intel i5 2400 ($170)

The reason why I don't have many parts is because I've been waiting for these parts (or alternatives) to go on sale and it's actually been working well for me.

 

[nikorr]

So did u buy it already?