Upgrading from 2x4GB RAM to 16GB total

[ALIEN109]

MB : Gigabyte GA-B72-D3V
CPU : Intel Core i5-2400 CPU @ 3.10GHz
GPU : NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti (MSI) 2048MB
PSU : Fortron Blue Storm II 500W
RAM : 2 x 4GB Corsair DDR3 1333MHz CMV4GX3M1A1333C9
HDD : ST2000DM001-1CH164

OS : Windows 7 Professionnel 64-bit SP1

Hello,
I need help/opinion regarding RAM upgrade and I though that you guys could help me

I recently tried to fiddle with my graphics settings in ARK : Survival Evolved (yes, I know this is kind of a special case) and managed to get some "decent" settings (read as "17fps without too much ugliness"). Hower I got really annoying freezes/hiccups which render it uplayable (17fps is "fine" compared to this)

The short story is that my 8GB RAM is running above 90% on some maps and/or on multiplayer server.
Also, the RAM usage is 25%-50% when I'm on the desktop with only Steam, Discord and Google Chrome running (20% without Chrome). I

So I think increasing RAM cap would be quite useful without being too expensive, don't you ?
I think 16 GB should be enough for now.
To avoid any compatibilty issue, I would take the same brand (Corsair)

However, I'm not sure if I should:

• add 2 extra 4GB sticks (exactly same model as I already have, not sold as a dual kit, no cooler) : 75 €
  
• add 2 extra 4GB sticks from a dual kit (same brand, specs, have cooler): 80 €
  
• remplace the 2x4GB with 2x8GB : 144 € (not sure if I could sell the old ones so it's quite expensive at the end, I don't like this option)
  
• add one 8GB stick : 70-72 € BUT will it give me 12GB (loosing half the poential of this 8GB stick) or 16 GB ?

I plan to buy on this website (never had issues with them,I'm from Belgium so transport cost is quite cheap) :
Possible selection on LDLC[www.ldlc.be]

What do you think ?
Thank you for your advices ! o7

[candyboy]

some motherboards don't take 16 gb ram sticks it says max so why not 2 sticks of 8

[Omega]

I say get a new GPU and CPU instead.

RAM isn't going to impact FPS.

[just.kamk /idle]

Cheapest way: pick a 2x4 GB set with same frequency / timings (or better), around 30 bucks on ebay (which is basically anything, i.e. Kingston Value Ram, or same brand you currently have).

I feel like another 2x8 would be overkill for you, and replacing the 2x4 will be quite pricy anyways for "dated" DDR3 (ram prices are insane atm. sadly :/ )

Avoid a single 8GB stick, considering you already use dual channel, might come in handy here and there.

Originally posted by Omega:

I say get a new GPU and CPU instead.

+this. Better save the 100 bucks for a new GPU instead.

[ALIEN109]

Thank for your quick answers guys :)

Originally posted by candyboy:

some motherboards don't take 16 gb ram sticks it says max so why not 2 sticks of 8

Most expensive option !
144 € to get 16GB in total
While only 80 € max if I add 2 extra 4GB sticks
But I don't know if 4 sticks can cause issues especially if they aren't bought in dual kit

Originally posted by Omega:

I say get a new GPU and CPU instead.
RAM isn't going to impact FPS.

Originally posted by kamk /idle:

Better save the 100 bucks for a new GPU instead.

The thing is that it's not really a FPS issue (even if quite low), just freezes.
I wanted to "smooth" the whole thing. You think more RAM wouldn't change anything ?
The 90%+ usage looked like the cause of the freezes for me but I might be wrong
(25%-50% usage on desktop, something wrong here ?)

I don't have FPS issues with other games. I don't fel like I need to "evolve now" ^^

Originally posted by kamk /idle:

Cheapest way: pick a 2x4 GB set with same frequency / timings (or better), around 30 bucks on ebay (which is basically anything, i.e. Kingston Value Ram, or same brand you currently have).

I feel like another 2x8 would be overkill for you, and replacing the 2x4 will be quite pricy anyways for "dated" DDR3 (ram prices are insane atm. sadly :/ )

Agree for the last point; DDR4 is out now so I don't think I'll ever re-use those old DDR3 on my next PC, no real point to get 8GB sticks
Yeah, the 2x4GB looks like the cheapest option
Have to stick to 1333MHz (need another CPU with Ivy for 1600 MHz) so CL9 too
GA-B75-D3V[www.gigabyte.com]

Can get this kit for 53 € (or 58€, not sure what price is correct)
Corsair CMV8GX3M2A1333C9 Value Select 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1333 Mhz CL9[www.amazon.fr]
Worth it or you think it won't fix the freezes anyway ?

[Omega]

Originally posted by ALIEN109:

The thing is that it's not really a FPS issue (even if quite low), just freezes.
I wanted to "smooth" the whole thing. You think more RAM wouldn't change anything ?
The 90%+ usage looked like the cause of the freezes for me but I might be wrong
(25%-50% usage on desktop, something wrong here ?)

I don't have FPS issues with other games. I don't fel like I need to "evolve now" ^^

ARK has terable optimization and suffers from memory leaks it will run like crap even on high-end rigs. Even if you had 32gb RAM ARK will somehow manage to fill it all up. More RAM isn't going to make any difference.

[HEART]

going from 8gb to 16gb will not solve a freeze issue

if 8gb cause Ark to freeze, the would not list it as the minimum.

The totality of your system is the issue.

[just.kamk /idle]

Originally posted by ALIEN109:

The thing is that it's not really a FPS issue (even if quite low), just freezes.
I wanted to "smooth" the whole thing. You think more RAM wouldn't change anything ?
The 90%+ usage looked like the cause of the freezes for me but I might be wrong
(25%-50% usage on desktop, something wrong here ?)

Don't know Ark, so can't tell. Could be as well your GPUs vram filling up, and it starts caching into Ram, or as mentioned the game has some overall memory leak anyways.

Heck, use GPU-Z and log usage.

Either way, i'd pick some 2x4 1333/9 from ebay / classifieds for around 30 bucks, and save the 100+ bucks for a nice little GPU upgrade - or do the latter first actually.

Let's face it, your GPU doesn't even meet minimum requirements, so... this might be your primary concern.

[Long Ago [Linux]]

Your limiting factor is your GPU. When I went from 60 watt MSI Twin Frozr Gaming GTX 750 Ti OC to 120 watt Asus Dual GTX 1060 OC, graphics benchmarks were significantly faster. And when I upgraded my old i5 650 to still old i7 870 along with 16 GB DDR3 1333 RAM (somewhat slower than newer i5 with faster RAM), some tests were twice as fast as the 750. But it depends whether a game is CPU or GPU intensive. For example with the old i7 870 games may use 90-100% of my GPU (and half of its 3 GB, due to texture compression) while using 60% of my CPU. Your CPU is probably faster than mine using less power.

GTX 750 Ti is at the low end of high end graphics.

[ALIEN109]

Originally posted by Omega:

Even if you had 32gb RAM ARK will somehow manage to fill it all up. More RAM isn't going to make any difference.

Originally posted by kamk /idle:

Could be as well your GPUs vram filling up, and it starts caching into Ram, or as mentioned the game has some overall memory leak anyways.

Heck, use GPU-Z and log usage.

I have read several people saying their RAM was filled even after doubling RAM pool with ARK. So you might be completely right, VRAM saturated and flowing on RAM

I'll try GPU-Z, thanks for the head up
--------------------
Tested GPU-Z and as you guessed it ..99% VRAM usage most of the time, when not falling to 0% due to freeze.The GPU is too old for this game, got lot of sound bugs too ; with my old 9500GT I had big sound issues on WarThunder, when I switched to a GTX 550 Ti (for free) it was fixed thus it might be a good indicator.

You were all correct guys, RAM is not the weakest link here; most of the time CPU was at 30% but I had some huge 100% CPU usage pikes too


Thank you each of you, you saved me quite a few bucks (and frustration)
I'll wait a little bit more before replacing whole rig though, got some softwares and data I need to keep for my studies

Have a great day !