16GB DDR3 1866MHz CL9-10-9-27 OR DDR3 2133MHz CL10-12-12-31

[andiey]

Hi Folks,

I have built a new rig which is a Core i5-9600K based system last November. It's a good system.

BUT my old rig is still functioning. I've figured out that maybe there is a PSU problem which I'm going to fix it with a Corsair CX550M unit purchased recently. The configuration of my old rig is:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K
Mem: Corsair Dominator 2x4GB DDR3@1866MHz C9-10-9-27
Cooling: Corsair H60 Hydro Series 120MM AIO
Mobo: ASUS P8Z77-V Deluxe
GPU: ASUS ROG STRIX RX 570 4GB O/C *very good card

I find it still very capable for some old games and use it for gaming mainly, no media creation that sort of tasks. As such I like to revamp it with a brand new case. In retrospect, when I put together this machine, I was a bit on a budget so it was setup with only 4x2GB = 8GB (Dual channel). It was pricy at the time DDR3 was.

I want to upgrade the memory capacity and would like to get some of your advices and recommendations.

Performance-wise, would increasing 8GB to16GB make any difference when gaming? If yes, then will 2133MHz with the timing 10-12-12-31 be faster than my current 1866MHz with timing 9-10-9-27?

Thanks for your advice in advance!

 

[katinggangseng]

if you dont run out of memory when gaming then no and no, but more capacity and speed always preferable

 

[R0H1T]

Yes to the first part, it prevents paging. Probably no to the second, there's not much of a discernable difference going from DDR3 1866 to 2133 IIRC though you'll want to check reviews from 5-6 years back just to be sure.

 

[andiey]

Probably no to the second, there's not much of a discernable difference going from DDR3 1866 to 2133 IIRC though you'll want to check reviews from 5-6 years back just to be sure.

I have just found a kit the timing of which is 2133MHz C9-11-11-31 , would the faster timing help?

Yes to the first part, it prevents paging. Probably no to the second

I have found some games like GTA V can eat up as much memory you throw at it. So I thought going from 8GB to 16GB might help

 

[Athlonite]

Why not just go whole hog and get DDR3 2400 cl11-13-13-31 I have a set of blackline here from Mushkin which worked really well when I was using them

https://www.newegg.ca/mushkin-enhanced-16gb-240-pin-ddr3-sdram/p/N82E16820226545

 

[R0H1T]

I have just found a kit the timing of which is 2133MHz C9-11-11-31 , would the faster timing help?

Faster timings will help, but again I'm not sure how much because newer titles may not be affected much if at all. With DDR4 the timings & speed difference is generally bigger so it helps in many cases, for older titles again depending on the game it can help a small bit to much more. Also as Athlonite said DDR4 2400 would be a much better & likely substantial upgrade, if you're fine with used stuff you can buy it real cheap these days.

 

[andiey]

Why not just go whole hog and get DDR3 2400 cl11-13-13-31 I have a set of blackline here from Mushkin which worked really well when I was using them

https://www.newegg.ca/mushkin-enhanced-16gb-240-pin-ddr3-sdram/p/N82E16820226545

I have checked the manual, it does support 2400 but requires overclocking. Can I do it in BIOS?

Also, on another forum where I started the same discussion, someone says the structure of 3570K only supports memory up to 1600MHz, and I won't be able to tell the difference even I go higher than this speed, is that true?

 

[R0H1T]

That's probably the official speed they're talking about. It definitely can go higher, depending on your chip (degradation) it could do 2400MHz fairly easily.

 

[andiey]

That's probably the official speed they're talking about. It definitely can go higher, depending on your chip (degradation) it could do 2400MHz fairly easily.

Hey, I have found this thread

max memory speed for i5-3570k

I have an i5-3570k on a Gigabyte Z77X-D3H mobo and am running 8gb of PC-12800 GSkill RAM. I'm pretty sure the mobo will support faster RAM but unsure how to figure out what the max speed the CPU/mobo combo will support. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Not looking to overclock.

forums.tomshardware.com

It seems that according to it, that my current 1866MHz CL9 is just about right if I M NOT OVERCLOCKING. But I really want to know if 16GB is required because in recent years, some games require more than 8GB....

 

[Athlonite]

I have checked the manual, it does support 2400 but requires overclocking. Can I do it in BIOS?

Also, on another forum where I started the same discussion, someone says the structure of 3570K only supports memory up to 1600MHz, and I won't be able to tell the difference even I go higher than this speed, is that true?

yeah it's called XMP set it and forget it just like you're already doing running the 1866MHz ram now as 1600MHz is the highest Jedec speed it''ll go before you need to use XMP profiles

 

[andiey]

But I couldn't find the XMP button, unlike my new 9600K which is built on ROG STRIX Z390-F's BIOS.

Also I just tried overclocking it to 2133 but failed.

 

[R0H1T]

But I really want to know if 16GB is required because in recent years, some games require more than 8GB....

Depends on the game or application, while most recommend at least 8GB these days you're still better of having 16GB if it fits your budget. Also with z77 you can manually set the timings in BIOS, that's generally better if you want lower latencies.

 

[andiey]

Found the XMP profile. It overclocked to 9-10-9-27, RC=48.
But it also overclocks my CPU to 4.1GHz at the same time, I didn't mean that. Fortunately the temperature only rises by 8 degree or so.

 

[Athlonite]

In asus's BIOS it's usually called DOCP and it shouldn't OC your cpu it's only for memory

in your BIOS you'll need to turn on Advanced Mode to be able to set thing in the AI Tweaker section in the section you'll see a setting for AI Overclock Tuner you'll need to change that to XMP from Auto and then you can set the speed of your ram

 

[andiey]

Thanks, I get that now.

 

[Deleted member 185158]

Deja Vu?

Really just get what you need. I wouldn't worry much on the high speed and timings. You probably hurt for capacity if running W10.