@@Answered@@ Upgrading RAM, getting most out of memory

[Ocarina007]

@Thanks you guys, I'm guessing I won't be able to select best answer for a little while?@

*This is part of my post from graphics and displays, where I posted by accident lol.*

Hi. First I'd like to give you some specs about my machine. I have a Dell XPS 9100. The motherboard is a Dell 05DN3X( http://tinyurl.com/lrgz697 ) with an intel core i7 930 @2.8GHz . I have a 525 watt power supply. The computer came with a Radeon HD 5670, and I upgraded to a HD 6870( http://tinyurl.com/ohqed82 ). I have a triple channel DDR3 Ram thingyD ) with 4 2-gig cards(assholes, right?) I'm pretty sure that's all you need to answer my questions.


1.) Picture YAY( http://imgur.com/zt0Aews ) 1a.) I'm a little confused about the RAM situation. From what I understand, a triple channel works best when you have 3 ram cards of the same type. I'm assuming that, for example, if I had 3 8-gig cards, I would place them in the Red or blue slots, and not mix them, for maximum usefulness? Is this correct?

Due to its recent increase in price, I don't think I can afford 3x8gb and I'll have to settle for 2x8gb(http://tinyurl.com/kf8rr6y) take that for an example. 1b.)Would I take a hit in performance because I'm not using 3 cards of the same type(size wise, as in 2gb, 4gb)? 1c.) Let's say I wanted to keep my 2gb cards. Should I place the 2 8gb cards in the red slots, and (3) of (4) of my 4 2-gb cards in the blue slots. Or should I fill all the slots, including the last 2-gb in the last red slot? Or get rid of the 2-gb cards altogether? 1d.)These are just nitpicky questions, I know, but while I'm asking I might as well be through. What setup with Ram do you recommend for $130 or less? I'd like to have at least 16gb.

 

[PyjamasCat]

What are you using you PC for? If it's for gaming, you can leave out that extra RAM stick and stay with 6GB in triple channel or two sets of dual channel. You may find a benefit in that for the mean time.

If this is for workstation purposes, video editing or CAD, then I'd say the 3x8GB would be helpful. The thing is though, RAM sticks aren't actually made for Dual or Triple channel. They are just test for it in the package you buy. So if you buy a dual channel pack, both sticks were tested together. So you could get the 2x8GB the one extra later, but you won't know for certain if the performance will be 100%. It is possible though.

The next thing is, mixing RAM. I'm not sure how you memory controller will handle it, but you should probably go with 2x2GB in dual with 2x8GB in dual over anything else if you want to keep the older RAM sticks, but it's probably better to just stick to the new. I had an old desktop with four sticks once. 2x512MB and 2x1GB. I worked just as well without the 2x512MB, but you never know until you try.

The best option right now would be to buy the 2x8GB. Test the RAM in various settings and maybe later you can test with a new 8GB stick.

Hope this helps.

 

[Tradesman1]

The mobo takes up to 4GB sticks, max 24GB so a 3x4GB tri-channel set is the best option, something like the Ripjaws - F3-10666CL9T-12GBRL, as 1333 is the highest the mobo is rated