RAM upgrade: Buy more similar RAM or buy new faster RAM?

[Black Panther]

I'm unsure which would be the best option for my Bengal build (see system specs).
Currently I have 3 x 2GB Mushkin PC3-12800.

I have space for another 3 x 2GB.
I have found identical RAM on ebay.. should I go for it or would it be better to scrap the Mushkins altogether and go for better and faster RAM?

 

[bonehead123]

From what I have read over the years, Mushkin has a fairly good reputation for quality products, although I have never used them myself.

I have however, used ebay, and have become VERY, VERY leary of it due to the alarming increase in the number & severity of fraudulent deals that occur there nowadays. Their new return policy is dreadful at best and has undoubtably contributed to this problem in a major way. So NO, I would not go there for anything atm. You can most likely find what you need in the marketplace here (or over at (H)ard or Anandtech) which is where I have bought almost all of my components recently for 3 different computers, all without a single issue and ZERO drama.

But going from 6GB to 12GB is a significant jump IF you need it.... and depending on what you use your system for, it could make a big difference in its performance. PC3-12800 seems to be the sweet spot right now for price vs. performance. And from what I have read lately, going for faster ram than you have now will ONLY benefit heavy-duty gamers or other ram-intensive apps in any significant way.

But as always, YmMv

 

[RCoon]

From experience more RAM in more RAM slots decreases overclocking potential, so for those purposes I'd lean towards scrapping them and buying 3 x 4GB sticks instead (or 3 x 8GB if you're feelin' baller). If you're not wholly bothered about that sort of thing, then I see no reason why 6 x 2GB sticks would cause any problems in gaming or w/e you're doing. 1600mhz is certainly "good enough" for games and photoshop if that's all you're doing. No reason to get anything fancier.

 

[Capitan Harlock]

I'm unsure which would be the best option for my Bengal build (see system specs).
Currently I have 3 x 2GB Mushkin PC3-12800.

I have space for another 3 x 2GB.
I have found identical RAM on ebay.. should I go for it or would it be better to scrap the Mushkins altogether and go for better and faster RAM?

When i buyed my ram on ebay too i was going for the same idea buy some time later the same ram Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz ddr3 3x2gb but i didnt find it identical and not at the same good price , If you can go for it if they are the same but if you have the money and the support for the motherboard is there go for faster if you find it cheap.
I have see some benchmark and memeory frequency in gaming does not effect performance talking about ddr3.

 

[Aquinus]

Are you running out of physical memory or are you just looking to upgrade?

 

[arbiter]

either buy another kit of same ram, or if you want to go but more as one said could go with 3x8gb. I wouldn't worry so much about getting ram any faster mhz wise as performance benefit is minimum at best. get what ever fits what you are willing to spend.

 

[Schmuckley]

In this case, I'd say anudder kit of same RAMs.

If you wanted to get the proper/best kits for the platform you will be using,that would be Hypers..
And that could get real pricey real fast.

 

[rtwjunkie]

I would say instead of populating all your RAM slots, get a set of 3x4GB. Twelve would be a significant boost in capacity, and is likely to gain you more than speed will, so I would stay at 1600 also.

If you are limited on funds though, just get another identical set of Mushkins. The above on increased RAM capacity helping overall performance still applies.

 

[Schmuckley]

Hmm.. 4gb sticks=less stress on IMC.
Do you already have that 930?
bcuz a w3530 is about $20 less, and binned higher..
or for about $70 you could get an X5650.

 

[Ferrum Master]

From experience more RAM in more RAM slots decreases overclocking potential, so for those purposes I'd lean towards scrapping them and buying 3 x 4GB sticks instead (or 3 x 8GB if you're feelin' baller). If you're not wholly bothered about that sort of thing, then I see no reason why 6 x 2GB sticks would cause any problems in gaming or w/e you're doing. 1600mhz is certainly "good enough" for games and photoshop if that's all you're doing. No reason to get anything fancier.

From my experience not... just you need to give more voltage to uncore. Some motherboard bios actually does that on AUTO if more modules are present... Crappy boards doesn't do that. And actually it is documented in intel design recommendations to do so. There for there is this kind of assumption that more causes some sort of instability. Actually there should not be one, just the resistive load needs to be compensated.

I run eight 1333Mhz modules on my X79 near 2000Mhz mark mate... (got them all for around 70quid) they do the same stable max in any config(those are ECC, no benching needed, I can see any errors in windows log as OC goes too far immediately)

I would recommend to do the cheapest. It is the end for DDR3. There are really no gains past 1600Mhz CL8 on X58. If you have crappy timings - maybe, haven't had anything that bad. Don't invest there much money as this thing won't carry over to Skylake anymore.

And the identical thing is overhyped. Just run them the same as the worst timed module performs, haven't had any issues with doing so.

 

[rtwjunkie]

@Schmuckley: She's had the 930 since 2012- http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/great-white-bengal.168996/

 

[Schmuckley]

@Schmuckley: She's had the 930 since 2012- http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/great-white-bengal.168996/

That's Mushkin PSC

I would definitely get another kit of that if I was Black Panther.
..that just didn't sound right to me

 

[rtwjunkie]

"PSC"?

 

[Schmuckley]

"PSC"?

Powerchips.Made for about 11 mos..kits were selling for around $40 back then..
All the SuperPi enthusiasts use it if on ddr3 platform.
Triple channel kit would have been $60
I don't have any.

i.e: http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-skill-PI-...618?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2edec2eaa2

 

[bonehead123]

well, well....lookie here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2424421

Hate to say it but..............

told ya so, hahahaha

 

[Schmuckley]

well, well....lookie here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2424421

Hate to say it but..............

told ya so, hahahaha

You have to be very quick on the draw to get something before Reefa.

Personally I think he might use some kind of program..maybe RSS feeds or something.

 

[jsfitz54]

Go with faster ram. My daily driver (i7 970) was 6x2gb of ddr3 2000 and I changed it to 3x4gb of ddr3 2133. Machine runs great.
These sticks bought in pairs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231476

 

[Schmuckley]

Go with faster ram. My daily driver (i7 970) was 6x2gb of ddr3 2000 and I changed it to 3x4gb of ddr3 2133. Machine runs great.
These sticks bought in pairs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231476

X58 isn't going to want to run RAM daily @ those speeds.

 

[jsfitz54]

X58 isn't going to want to run RAM daily @ those speeds.

You are wrong. It works fine and has been that way for a very long time. Theory does not count.

 

[Frick]

More memory IMO, you won't exactly notice the speed increase but if you run out of RAM you'll definitely notice the extra amount of memory.

 

[Schmuckley]

You are wrong. It works fine and has been that way for a very long time. Theory does not count.

Show me 10 rounds of IBT with RAM @ 2133Mhz on x58.
You can downclock your CPU...lower voltage so you're not damaging your chip.
I simply don't believe you.
Seriously..This is a "pics or it didn't happen" scenario.
X58 IMC is about like AMD k10..but a little bit better..not much..

 

[jsfitz54]

Show me 10 rounds of IBT with RAM @ 2133Mhz on x58.
You can downclock your CPU...lower voltage so you're not damaging your chip.
I simply don't believe you.
Seriously..This is a "pics or it didn't happen" scenario.

You seem to like to BS here so if the OP has any legitimate questions, she can ask.

 

[Schmuckley]

Post a valid of it right now

http://valid.x86.fr/410ylj

^just like that.

..must be within 2 mins or I call shens.
I'm not speaking from Theory.
Time's up,you fail.
You're not running 2133 daily on x58.

 

[jsfitz54]

But

Post a valid of it right now

http://valid.x86.fr/410ylj

^just like that.

..must be within 2 mins or I call shens.
I'm not speaking from Theory.

That's not an X58 system.

 

[Schmuckley]

No..and x58 will not run 2133 for daily.
That may not be..
http://valid.canardpc.com/15s2lz This is, though.
http://hwbot.org/image/1320654.jpg ..and this..
http://valid.canardpc.com/ruup13 ..and this..
http://valid.canardpc.com/ev925l ..and this.
http://hwbot.org/image/1140791.jpg ..and this..where one wants the RAM to be as high and tight as possible.
http://hwbot.org/image/1144697.jpg ..and this..32m

Now..I've tried quite a few chips and motherboards.
You're not going to tell me that alll that hardware just didn't like to run over 2000Mhz and it was just bad luck...and yours somehow magically does ..daily.