And the answer is...?

[DynaE]

Hey guys,

Need your help in answering a question. Anyways,I have a triple channel mobo w/12Gbs of DDR31866 ram. I would like to have 16Gbs. Running Corsair Dominator at this time but the issue is I haven't been able to find 16gig modules in 1866. So I have been thinking about using dual ch. modules in 1600 to achieve the 16gigs.Mobo will support single,dual,tripple channels up to 4gigs per module. (4x4gig modules) Memory I will be purchasing is Corsair Vengence 16 gig module @1600Mghz. all the same 9-9-9-24,latency 9. Good,Bad?Same? Only change is voltage  is 1.65 to 1.5 which is easily corrected. Should I just not upgrade? Will i be ok? Your advice is highly considered .

Thank You in advance,
Dyna

mobo is a evga 141-gt-e770 a1 x58 classified 3

[TequilaChaser]

I used to use Corsair's System ram in all my  builds, until I switched to Crucial.... I love Crucial 10 times more now

Edit: that is for me, personally, not for computers I've built and gave to other players

[Bizman]

I'm in the belief that going from 12 to 16 GB is pretty much insignificant. Not knowing what you're doing with your computer it's hard to say how much would be sufficient. For everyday use and most gaming 12 is already plenty. For heavy photoshopping and video editing you may struggle with 16 as well.

As a rule of thumb, if you're having issues with any of your current specs, double the amount. So if you now have 3 sticks of 4 GB, get another similar triplet for a total of 24 GB. The cost can be even less than getting an entire new set of four sticks and the difference should be evident.

[TequilaChaser]

Not knowing right off hand if your Motherboard is capable of using more than 16 GB system ram.... I would recommend reading up/ research what the maximum amount of Ram type/quantity variations that your MB is capable of using... Also check out all bios updates for your MB, might find some important and useful things there...

Bizman is pretty much spot-on again, about switching your 4GB modules out for 8GB DIMM modules

Hope this helps

TC

[Bizman]

Umm, TC, I'm not recommending 8 GB modules. The motherboard doesn't support them. I was suggesting a total of 6 x 4 GB ones as per the manual:

Installing Memory Modules
Your new motherboard has six 240-pin slots for DDR3 memory. These slots
support 256 Mb, 512 Mb, 1 Gb, 2Gb, and 4Gb DDR3 technology.  There must
be at least one memory bank populated to ensure normal operation. Use the
following the recommendations for installing memory.  (See Figure 1 on page
16 for the location of the memory slots.)
  One DIMM: If using 1 DIMM (Single Channel), install into: DIMM slot 1.
  Two or Four DIMMs: If using 2 DIMMs (Dual Channel), install into:
DIMM slots 1 and 3. If using 4 DIMMs (Dual Channel), install into:
DIMM slots 2, 1, 4, and 3.
  Three DIMMs: If using 3 DIMMs (Triple Channel), install into: DIMM
slots 1, 3 and 5.
 Six DIMMs: If using more than 4 DIMMs, use: DIMM slots 2, 1, 4, and 3
then proceed to occupy the following DIMM slots in this order: 6 and 5.
 

[TequilaChaser]

Gotcha Bizman,  my hands were typing ahead of my thinking I guess...

I know I have done a lot of research on those triple-channel Intel Motherboards but dang if I can barely remember any of it....

Ty for the correction

Sorry about that

~S~

TC

[guncrasher]

he's got ram triple channel switching to dual.  maybe this is wrong.



semp

[Bizman]

Just clarifying to prevent purchasing incompatible hardware.

You probably know more about any motherboards than I do, I just managed to find the right manual. 

Semp, the motherboard supports single, dual and triple channel so that's not an issue. Logically four sticks would be dual channel and six modules would again be triple channeled.

[DynaE]

Hello again Gents,

I apologize for any confusion,my system is currently running fine, I was just thinking that with gaming,(DCS)and some others,Elite Dngrs,etc.,that I was at the minimum and that 4more gigs of ram would help . The 6x2 gigs I currently have in now is working just fine. My mobo will handle 24 gigs max. And I have thought about making and editing a few simple video's for the family with free software (HitFilm/Express),nothing to elaborate. I can more afford the 16gigs rather than 24,and with the age of my system ,to me it doesn't make sense cost wise.And were talking about DDR3 ram here. Maybe getting a little long in the tooth,like my comp. ...just sayin. Trying to get your opinion on going 1600mghz from 1866mghz,im not doing any o'c.           If I do this,would there be a significant difference?

thanks for the quick reply's
Dyna

[Denniss]

I'm running a similar-age AMD Phenom II system which runs fine with two 8GB modules so it would be surprosing if that X58 system does not support them too.
Plus the manual speaks of 4Gb DDR3 technology (4 Gigabit), not of a limit to 4GB per module. An 8GB module with 16 chips should work, one with just 8 chips won't. Max memory is still capped at 24GB though

[Bizman]

I believe it's max 4 Gb per module, the word "technology" referring to DDR3. Thus replacing the 6x2 Gb sticks with 3x8 Gb ones is somewhat of a gamble. Also, the price for Gb is pretty much the same in smaller sticks.

Since you're already populated all six slots, replacing half of them with 4 Gb modules might be the most cost effective answer. If you can, try to find the 1866 version with similar latency. However, you can use slower ones as well. The faster ones will slow down to that speed either automatically or by adjusting the speed in the BIOS. The difference between 1866 and 1600 is insignificant especially if the latency can be decreased which often is the case in underclocking RAM.

[DynaE]

Thank you guys,

I think that i will just do more research. I will consider all of the valuable advice and opinions,I was considering 4x4gig@1600mghz,and i still might pull the trigger,dunno.

The stupid price of Ram,Im so tight, when i rub two nickels together,the buffalo poo's! That said,

May you all have a Merry Christmas, and a Healthy, Happy, and Prosperous, New Year!!!

Dyna

[TequilaChaser]

I've got a set of (4) Corsair Vengeance 1600 mhz DDR3 4GB DIMM modules with the tall heat shields blue anodized color

Edit: nope, those already went to someone else and they were low-profile....what I have are (4) 8GB DIMM modules with tall heat shields

If you are interested


TC

[DynaE]

First of all,Thank You!!!


I'LL be ok for now. Your Generosity,Kindness, and Thoughtfulness  is very much appreciated. TC,Sir you are a true gentleman,God Bless.

Sincerely,
Dyna

[Denniss]

Gb is Gigabit and refers to density of the memory chips on the modules, GB would be the total capacity of a module.
4Gb is 512MB per chip and with 16 chips per module this is 8GB