16gb RAM v 8GB RAM, do I need the 16?

[Frantic]

Hey, Steam. I'm looking to do a speed upgrade throughout my build (for now, I'll be adding in an SSD as the boot drive + am changing out the RAM). I'm currently conflicted about whether I should go for 8gb or 16gb of RAM, as 16 seems a bit overkill for current gaming & the other things I use the PC for. Future proofing is a factor in the decision, but if 8gb will last me for ~2 years without any real need for an upgrade then it'll have done what I want it to do.

The two products I'm looking at are:

http://www.dabs.com/products/crucial-16gb--2-x-8gb--1600mhz-ddr3-pc3-12800-dimm-240-pin-cl9-80XF.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product%20search&utm_content=Q200

http://www.dabs.com/products/crucial-8gb-kit--4gbx2--ddr3-1333-mt-s-800R.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product%20search&utm_content=Q200

Do any of you own these products? Did you get a significant speed boost moving from 8-16gb when doing normal tasks or playing games?

Thanks in advance.

[¤☣wing☢zeяo☣¤™]

Games dont even use 4GB so your more than safe with 8GB for now.

[banzaigtv]

Greater RAM amounts are not necessary for most games, but the RAM clock speed does affect system performance. You should go for 8 GB 1600 MHz RAM for now. If you could afford 16 GB, I don't see why not. Max Payne 3 is the only game I've seen with system requirements up to 16 GB RAM, anyway.

[¤☣wing☢zeяo☣¤™]

Publicado originalmente por banzaigtv:

Max Payne 3 is the only game I've seen with system requirements up to 16 GB RAM, anyway.

lol never noticed that, just bought it in the sales and the game is a 30GB download!!

Metro 2033 says 8GB but that's B/S iv'e never seen it use near that fully maxed at 1080p, maybe it's if your running at some silly 5760x1200 res or somthing.

[_I_]

for most 8g is overkill, but its dirt cheap
find a 1600+ cl9 kit (1.5v or lower for intel, amd can use 1.65+v kits)

this is cheaper and faster than then one you linked
Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) Ballistix Sport DDR3 1600MHz CL9 1.5v 240pin £28.99
http://www.dabs.com/products/crucial-8gb--2-x-4gb--ballistix-sport-ddr3-1600mhz-cl9-1-5v-240pin-7Y8S.html?q=ddr3%201600&src=16

[Frantic]

Publicado originalmente por _I_:

for most 8g is overkill, but its dirt cheap
find a 1600+ cl9 kit (1.5v or lower for intel, amd can use 1.65+v kits)

this is cheaper and faster than then one you linked
Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) Ballistix Sport DDR3 1600MHz CL9 1.5v 240pin £28.99
http://www.dabs.com/products/crucial-8gb--2-x-4gb--ballistix-sport-ddr3-1600mhz-cl9-1-5v-240pin-7Y8S.html?q=ddr3%201600&src=16

This does most definitely look a better solution than the two I've linked, thanks. The only issue I have with it is that on my MB's specs page, it says it can do 1600mhz (O.C/Overclocked); does this mean that it will by default run @ 1333mhz & if I want it to move up to 1.6k, I'll have to force it to via the BIOS?

[¤☣wing☢zeяo☣¤™]

Yeah any RAM over 1333Mhz is classed as overclocked, you will just need to change a few settings in BIOS like you said.

[_I_]

if its an amd am3 setup, itll say 1333 because am3 c2 series cpus have a limit of 1333 when running 4 dimms

but c3 or better cpu and c2(with 2 dimms) can go to 1600+

what board and cpu do you have?

[[☥] - CJ -]

Well main thing is do you have a 64bit OS?

2nd thing is, ive noticed that Crucial kinda has a high faulty rate compared to Corsair n other brands.

8GB is plenty, but theres nothing wrong with 16GB in general.

[Frantic]

Board: http://uk.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3/M4N68TM_V2/#specifications

CPU: X4 955 (stock) http://www.amd.com/uk/products/desktop/processors/phenom-ii/Pages/phenom-ii-model-number-comparison.aspx

[[☥] - CJ -]

Read the Memory/Device Support QVL, it'll give you an idea on if you should use only 2 DIMMs or all 4.

[Frantic]

Publicado originalmente por - CJ - DSS:

Read the Memory/Device Support QVL, it'll give you an idea on if you should use only 2 DIMMs or all 4.

The QVL shows a very limited selection, from what I understand this is due to the fact that "due to massive memory models on the market, we can only verify some of them." There's not 4 DIMM slots, there's two.

[_I_]

the board only has 2 dimm slots, so 4 is not possible


for the love of god get a better board for that cpu

run cpuz and make sure its a rev c3 ver of the 965, the c2 ver is 140w and will kill the board
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

a good read on high wattage amd setups here
http://www.overclock.net/a/about-vrms-mosfets-motherboard-safety-with-high-tdp-processors
amd board database here
http://www.overclock.net/t/946407/amd-motherboards-vrm-info-database


tldr: your board should have a 95w cpu limit, but asus boards have vrm protection and will underclock and undervolt the cpu when they get too hot

[Frantic]

Publicado originalmente por _I_:

the board only has 2 dimm slots, so 4 is not possible


for the love of god get a better board for that cpu

run cpuz and make sure its a rev c3 ver of the 965, the c2 ver is 140w and will kill the board
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

a good read on high wattage amd setups here
http://www.overclock.net/a/about-vrms-mosfets-motherboard-safety-with-high-tdp-processors
amd board database here
http://www.overclock.net/t/946407/amd-motherboards-vrm-info-database


tldr: your board should have a 95w cpu limit, but asus boards have vrm protection and will underclock and undervolt the cpu when they get too hot

I didn't know a 955 could magically transform into a 965. Thanks for the help.

[_I_]

oops, typo, same rules still apply tho, 955 is 125w for c2 and c3 revs

[darthmichael7]

If you are ever planning on hosting any type of Minecraft server, i would definately get the 16. But if you really dont need it it does seem to not be worth the money. I run 8g and am perfectly fine.