How much RAM should I add to my PC?

11alex11

Distinguished
Dec 15, 2009
18
0
18,510
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate - 64bit
CPU Type QuadCore AMD Phenom II X4 945, 3000 MHz (15 x 200)
Motherboard Name Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H (2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR3 DIMM, Audio, Video, Gigabit LAN, IEEE-1394)
System Memory 4096 MB (DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM) - DUAL
Video Adapter ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series (1024 MB)
------------------
I almost don't play games only Assasins creed and Prototype.
Most of my work is with Visual studio 2012/3 and Eclipse.
Lately I noticed that my PC uses about 70% percent of the ram and it became lagish. So I decided to add some ram.
I don't know how much ram should I add 2x2GB (Total: 8GB) or remove the ram that I have and put instead 2x8GB (Total: 16GB). (The ram is 1333Mhz)

What do you think?
 
G

Guest

Guest
16GB is more than you'll ever use. 8GB seems to be the medium and sweet spot today.
Unless you're doing some super hardcore video editing or something, you won't ever see the benefit to having more than 8GB.

I would suggest 2 modules each at 4GB at 1600Mhz (the sweet spot!).

Such as:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313353&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
 

11alex11

Distinguished
Dec 15, 2009
18
0
18,510
According to what I saw my MB supports only 1333Mhz or 1666Mhz...
Another things, Is it matter if I use the dual-channel or not?
 
G

Guest

Guest


Your mobo should be able to support 1600MHz ram. 1333MHz will be fine though, 1600MHz will be noticable about 5-8fps in gaming and usually in benchmarks.
So go ahead and get the 1333MHz.
Dual channel allows processes to run more efficiently, I can guarantee you nearly all the users here run dual channel ram.
You can run a single stick if you'd like though, nothing wrong with that; but I'd recommend dual channel.