6GB RAM vs 8GB RAM?

[hunt]

I currently use 6GB (one 4gb, one 2gb) RAM, and wonder if an upgrade to 2x4GB Ram will make my computer faster. Help please, what is the difference between 6gb ram and 8gb ram?

[The Muppet Surgery Special]

The difference between 6 GiB and 8 GiB is 2 GiB :)

Well, the more the merrier, depends on your usage, if you are tight on ram with 6 GiB, sure add the extra 2 GiB.

What is your memory usage now? Windows generally sits in approximately 1.8 GiB to 2.5 GiB (Linux around 500 MiB) idle without apps.

It is not unheard off to have 16 or 32 GiB in laptops for example.

If you can add more, I would do that, I don't think 2 GiB is a big step. Maybe there are other bottlenecks in your system if speed if your worry. Which OS? Storage? CPU? GPU?

I would never ever say no to more memory though :) Check out SSD's also (I recommend Samsung 850 Pros/Evos).

I would never have a system with less than 16 GiB today, and push to 32 GiB minimum in future. I use a lot of memory in my usage, not just games though.

I would recommend minimum 8 GiB today for all new machines if you're gaming. You can get by with 4 GiB (and this is pushing the lower boundary nowdays) or 6 GiB for casual use.

What games / apps do you use?

[76561198146916803]

Getting 8GB would help with some newer games that use close to 6GB. Windows can use whatever memory you have for temp data cache. Some early access games can use more than 8GB already. You should have extra memory for all the extra programs/processes running in the background while gaming or any multi-tasking.

[upcoast]

More ram won't make it faster, currently you're running in single channel with the mix you've got, if you want dual channel you'll need to run your ram in pairs, get your 2x4GB kit then find a matching 4GB stick to go with your current 4GB stick and just put the 2GB stick in a drawer then you can get dual channel happening.

[hunt]

I've already bought a 4GB stick because it can go along with my current 4GB. This is possible, isn't it?

[Azza ☠]

What motherboard are you using?

If it's duel channel memory - then use slots 1+3 or 2+4... in other words, replace the 2GB with the 4GB. Do NOT place all 3 sticks in, as this will disable the duel channel (using two sticks at the same time for more performance).

When mixing/matching memory - it's also critical they are the same specs. You need to check MHz speed, CL timing, and voltage. Else it might not work, or just default to the slowest settings.

If you know how to access and use your BIOS upon booting. Check under Advance Memory Settings and ensure XMP profile is enabled to the highest / most optimal settings available for best performance.

[_I_]

that also depends on the board

some can run 3 dimms with dual ch for 2, and the 3rd dimm in single ch mode
it will fill the dual ch kit first, then the lone dimm will be at single speeds when needed

[hunt]

Right now I'm using a laptop (Lenovo G505s). Specs include:

AMD A10-5750M
6GB RAM (currently one 2GB and one 4GB)
Radeon HD 8650G + 8750M Crossfire GFX

[Andrius227]

Going from 6gb to 8gb ram will not make your pc faster. But if you feel that your pc is slow, there are better things to upgrade. For me personally, the thing that made the biggest difference was the SSD (Solid State Drive).

[hunt]

What about this dual channel thing?

[_I_]

more ram will not help the apu at all
since its dedicated gpu has its own ram

[Azza ☠]

Originally posted by ✯Hunt✯:

What about this dual channel thing?

Most standard motherboards these days have duel channel memory. There is also tri-channel and quad-channel on a few.

Dual-channel-enabled memory controllers utilize two 64-bit data channels, resulting in a total bandwidth of 128-bits, to move data from RAM to the CPU.

In simple words - Your PC can access two memory sticks at the same time and use them together to be faster.

[hunt]

Originally posted by Azza ☠:

Originally posted by ✯Hunt✯:

What about this dual channel thing?

Most standard motherboards these days have duel channel memory. There is also tri-channel and quad-channel on a few.

Dual-channel-enabled memory controllers utilize two 64-bit data channels, resulting in a total bandwidth of 128-bits, to move data from RAM to the CPU.

In simple words - Your PC can access two memory sticks at the same time and use them together to be faster.

Both sticks would have to be the same amount (i.e. 2 sticks of 4GB), right?

[Septevar]

make sure all your ram is running at same frequency/speed (MHz)

[Azza ☠]

Originally posted by ✯Hunt✯:

Originally posted by Azza ☠:

Most standard motherboards these days have duel channel memory. There is also tri-channel and quad-channel on a few.

Dual-channel-enabled memory controllers utilize two 64-bit data channels, resulting in a total bandwidth of 128-bits, to move data from RAM to the CPU.

In simple words - Your PC can access two memory sticks at the same time and use them together to be faster.

Both sticks would have to be the same amount (i.e. 2 sticks of 4GB), right?

Ideally yes...

Currently as long as the motherboard supports FLEX mode, you still get faster-than-single channel operation, but not entirely dual-channel operation. Basically with Flex operation, the person would have the single 2GB module plus a 2GB portion of the 4GB module operating in dual channel mode, with the remainder 2GB operating in single-channel mode. This is probably what it's doing now.

Therefore 2GB Duel Channel / remaining 2GB (of the 4GB) is still running as Single Channel.

By replacing the 2GB memory stick with 4GB memory stick...

You would get the full 4GB of both in Duel Channel (4GB + 4GB).

Note: Asymmetric channel configuration will cause the board to operate memory in lower-performance interleaved mode. Simply put: Ensure both memory sticks match CL timing, etc - so you don't lose any performance. Do you know the specs of your current memory and the one purchased? Are they the same?

[hunt]

The current ones are 1600mHz SODIMM 12800, and I am buying a 4GB with the same specs. It should be here tomorrow, so I can update y'all tomorrow.