Basic GPU question for new PC

[Termie]

Make sure its a i5 2500k and not just a "2500".

It's a Dell. Even if it were a 2500k, his BIOS would be locked and he wouldn't be able to do anything with it.

For the price difference (which is way more than if you were buying OEM), the 2500 is not worth it over the 2400. At OEM, the price difference is $20: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...CE&PageSize=20.

That would clearly be worth it.

 

[RobS10]

As mentioned in previous posts, there is no option for an i5 2***K series processor, only the standard i5 2400, 2500, or i7 2600. Also, the chipset is the H67, which the way I read it, is not overclockable, which is not something I am interested in.

 

[Rezist]

Get i5 2400 for sure if it's more then 25$ to upgrade to the i5 2500.

 

[RobS10]

Get i5 2400 for sure if it's more then 25$ to upgrade to the i5 2500.

It's, I hate to say it, a $110 upgrade. Looking like my computer just got a lot cheaper...drop the video card, save $145, lose 2GB RAM for another $60, and knock the i5 2500 down to a 2400 for $110. Yay:biggrin:

One question though...if I take 2GB of RAM it comes as two dimms. I assume it's OK to add a one 4GB dimm or 2 x 2GB dimms to the other slots? Didn't know if they all had to be the same size to work efficiently.

 

[Termie]

It's, I hate to say it, a $110 upgrade. Looking like my computer just got a lot cheaper...drop the video card, save $145, lose 2GB RAM for another $60, and knock the i5 2500 down to a 2400 for $110. Yay:biggrin:

One question though...if I take 2GB of RAM it comes as two dimms. I assume it's OK to add a one 4GB dimm or 2 x 2GB dimms to the other slots? Didn't know if they all had to be the same size to work efficiently.

Those are some big savings. Memory works in pairs. Make sure that if you go down to 2gb, they give it to you as 2x1gb, not 1x2gb, which would be missing a matching stick. Also make sure it has four slots. Then you can use any second matched pair, even 2x4gb, which by the way costs a few dollars more than dell charges for 2gb.

 

[RobS10]

Those are some big savings. Memory works in pairs. Make sure that if you go down to 2gb, they give it to you as 2x1gb, not 1x2gb, which would be missing a matching stick. Also make sure it has four slots. Then you can use any second matched pair, even 2x4gb, which by the way costs a few dollars more than dell charges for 2gb.

Yes, should be adding RAM in pairs. Don't know why I mentioned adding a single 4GB dimmYou're correct...the Vostro comes with 4 memory slots. The 2GB config is 2 x 1GB dimms, not really great use of the space! I see the savings in your link. To add a mere 2GB (for a total of 4GB) at time of purchase is a $60 "upgrade", which looks like should cost around $10+- per GB for aftermarket dimms, even on Dell's own website. I assume Dell's Certified Memory is a joke, or is there any way anyone would pay $170 for a 2GB dimm? It carries a "lifetime warranty", but still can't see why that much more money.

Looks like to get up to 6GB, I would end up maxing out my RAM slots if I go with the 2GB (2 x 1GB sticks) Dell configuration, and add 2 pairs of 2GB each. I don't know if I want to spend quite $100 on 2 x 4GB sticks just yet, but that creates the problem if I want to get to a total of 8GB, I would have to pull the original Dell 2 x 1GB dimms and replace with 2 x 2 GB. My brain is starting to hurt!

 

[cusideabelincoln]

There's only four RAM slots. You can't add two pairs of 2GB to a pair of 1GB.

Just pony up for 2x4GB. It doesn't have to be 1600 speed. 1333 is only about $80. Or simply get a single 4GB stick. You do not have to get memory in pairs. The memory controller is flexible. With three sticks it will operate part of the RAM in dual channel and part in single channel. I doubt you'd notice the performance difference, but the RAM amount will certainly make the most difference.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2658/5

In the four-slot configuration the first three slots correspond to the first three channels, the fourth slot is simply sharing one of the memory channels. The downside to this approach is that your memory bandwidth drops to single-channel performance as you start filling up your memory. For example, if you have 4 x 1GB sticks, the first 3GB of memory will be interleaved between the three memory channels and you'll get 25.6GB/s of bandwidth to data stored in the first 3GB. The final 1GB however won't be interleaved and you'll only get 8.5GB/s of bandwidth to it. Despite the unbalanced nature of memory bandwidth in this case, your aggregate bandwidth is still greater in this configuration than a dual-channel setup.

This is concerning filling four slots with a triple channel controller. But filling three slots with a dual channel controller should work the same way.

 

[RobS10]

There's only four RAM slots. You can't add two pairs of 2GB to a pair of 1GB.

Just pony up for 2x4GB. It doesn't have to be 1600 speed. 1333 is only about $80. Or simply get a single 4GB stick. You do not have to get memory in pairs. The memory controller is flexible. With three sticks it will operate part of the RAM in dual channel and part in single channel. I doubt you'd notice the performance difference, but the RAM amount will certainly make the most difference.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2658/5



This is concerning filling four slots with a triple channel controller. But filling three slots with a dual channel controller should work the same way.

Now I'm confused. I thought DDR3 should always be installed in matching pairs? Yanking the 2 x 2GB OEM sticks out and adding 2 x 4GB seems like the best way to go, since that leaves 2 slots empty for the future (or leave original sticks for a total of 10GB). Don't know if I will ever need to run 16GB or RAM though. What about keeping the 2 x 1GB OEM sticks and adding 2 x 2gb. That would give me 6GB. If I needed more later, I pull the 2 x 1GB Dell sticks. My braing hurts moreD:...

 

[Termie]

There's only four RAM slots. You can't add two pairs of 2GB to a pair of 1GB.

Just pony up for 2x4GB. It doesn't have to be 1600 speed. 1333 is only about $80. Or simply get a single 4GB stick. You do not have to get memory in pairs. The memory controller is flexible. With three sticks it will operate part of the RAM in dual channel and part in single channel. I doubt you'd notice the performance difference, but the RAM amount will certainly make the most difference.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2658/5



This is concerning filling four slots with a triple channel controller. But filling three slots with a dual channel controller should work the same way.

He can run 2x1GB (or 2x2GB) plus 1x4GB, but why would he? It's not any cheaper. So he should just get 2x1GB from Dell, avoid all of the ridiculous charges for Dell "special jacked up price memory", and install 2x4GB in addition to the 2x1GB. If he has any trouble, he can just remove the 2GB as throwaway. Still about the same price as buying it direct from Dell with 4GB. Link to DDR3-1333 for $80: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231422.

OP - you're saving a ton of money on the system by avoiding high-priced add-ons, so I'd just go ahead and buy the aftermarket memory in the amount you actually want, to avoid any possible headaches with it not working in combination with the Dell memory. If the full 10GB works, great, otherwise, you've still got 8GB that will work.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Now I'm confused. I thought DDR3 should always be installed in matching pairs? Yanking the 2 x 2GB OEM sticks out and adding 2 x 4GB seems like the best way to go, since that leaves 2 slots empty for the future (or leave original sticks for a total of 10GB). Don't know if I will ever need to run 16GB or RAM though. What about keeping the 2 x 1GB OEM sticks and adding 2 x 2gb. That would give me 6GB. If I needed more later, I pull the 2 x 1GB Dell sticks. My braing hurts more...

It's not confusing nor difficult to understand at all. DDR3 does not have to run in pairs. It will run however you have them. For optimal performance you want to run it in pairs, but of other configurations it will run just fine.

If you get 2 x 2GB OEM you do not have to yank it out. Simply add 2 x 4GB, and you'll have a total of 12GB of RAM. Now if you want 16GB, then you'll have to yank out the OEM sticks.

If you get 2 x 1GB OEM, add 2 x 4GB to get 10GB total RAM. If you ever want more, then yank out the OEM sticks. With 2 x 1GB you could get 2 x 2GB for a total of 6GB, but you'll have to yank out the OEM sticks if you want more.

He can run 2x1GB (or 2x2GB) plus 1x4GB, but why would he? It's not any cheaper. So he should just get 2x1GB from Dell, avoid all of the ridiculous charges for Dell "special jacked up price memory", and install 2x4GB in addition to the 2x1GB. If he has any trouble, he can just remove the 2GB as throwaway.

Why are you acting like we are saying different things, because we're not.

He should get the cheapest RAM option from Dell. That only makes sense.

He can run memory in odd numbered configurations. It's possible. That was my point, and no one addressed that issue directly.

He should get 2x4GB on his own.

Your first sentence doesn't make any sense. The upgrade to 4GB from Dell (+$60) is more expensive than getting the 2GB option and adding 4GB on his own, whether that 4GB be a single stick or dual sticks.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

I would not buy a discrete card for the uses described above, and would recommend adding a retail card later on if required.

you know hardware mpe will help the cpu a lot in video editing

 

[kevinsbane]

The computer wouldn't happen to be a Vostro 460?

If it is, take note that the 350W PSU only comes with a single PCI-e connector. Keep that in mind if/when you get an aftermarket video card. I am running a i5-2500, 12 gig ram with a HD 5450, topped out at ~125W of power usage at the wall.

 

[RobS10]

Why are you acting like we are saying different things, because we're not.

Guess I read another posters comment that RAM should be installed in pairs (for optimal performance) to mean it must be. I'd still like to keep things "optimal".

He should get the cheapest RAM option from Dell. That only makes sense.

That's what I plan on doing.

He can run memory in odd numbered configurations. It's possible. That was my point, and no one addressed that issue directly.

But not "optimally" I take it?

 

[RobS10]

The computer wouldn't happen to be a Vostro 460?

If it is, take note that the 350W PSU only comes with a single PCI-e connector. Keep that in mind if/when you get an aftermarket video card. I am running a i5-2500, 12 gig ram with a HD 5450, topped out at ~125W of power usage at the wall.

Why yes, it is a 460 ;-). Only going to run a single GPU if I need to. I asked another question earlier about the PSU wattage and video card limitations issue...http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2156462
What are you using it for and how do you like it? I see you chose the i5 2500 over the 2400.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Guess I read another posters comment that RAM should be installed in pairs (for optimal performance) to mean it must be. I'd still like to keep things "optimal".

If you want the best possible performance you would install them in pairs of equal size and get the fastest speed supported by the memory controller/motherboard with the lowest latency.

But it's not a requirement. And really, mismatched sticks shouldn't be much of a performance. It's not like you're computer is going to run half as fast or not at all.

The last RAM that was required to be run in pairs was RDRAM.

 

[iCyborg]

I was just browsing through the Dell site, lol, some of the upgrades are ridiculous. Like $500 for an upgrade to an i7 2600K from i5 2300 or 2400, 2600K alone costs ~$300 retail. OK, it comes OC-ed, but only by like 0.2-0.3GHz, my mom could change multi from 34 to 37.

That Vostro for $620 is a pretty good deal though since you get an i5 2400 and Win 7 Professional. 2x2GB RAM is ~$50 nowadays, even 2x4 isn't much more, and you can upgrade it yourself easily (not sure about their policy, for some stores opening a case voids the warranty on the complete build, so you're left with the manufacturer warranty for parts). Upgrade to U2311 isn't pricey either.

Have you thought about some local stores? A lot of them will assemble a build per your specification and often not charge anything if you bought all the parts from them. That way you could get the exact components you want, like 2500K or a better GPU for a market price. The downside is no 24/7 tech support.

 

[Termie]

I think we're all on the same page here. Order 2x1GB from Dell, order a separate pair of memory sticks aftermarket, in the amount that fits your needs/budget. I think a total of 6GB should be sufficient for your needs, but a total of 10GB would certainly be, and you could then use the 8GB set by itself in case of compatibility problems with the Dell memory (which is unlikely).

 

[kevinsbane]

Why yes, it is a 460 ;-). Only going to run a single GPU if I need to. I asked another question earlier about the PSU wattage and video card limitations issue...http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2156462
What are you using it for and how do you like it? I see you chose the i5 2500 over the 2400.

I am using it for CAD (AutoCAD Civil 3D) work. Company computer. So far, it's been treating me well, although the video card chugs for a bit of my work (the rest of the systems we got have much beefier graphics cards). The wattage itself shouldn't be a problem, it's just the power connectors. Theoretically, the gtx 460 would work just fine as far as wattage is concerned, you just won't be able to connect it. It only has 1 pci-e connector, and 4 SATA power connectors in addition to the MB power and a 4-pin CPU power cord.

I got this particular system (2500, win7pro, 5450, 3 year NBD warranty, 500 gig HD, +8 gig ram aftermarket) for $950. We managed to snag the new ones for only a minor increment in price: $1140, but i7-2600, HD 5750, 1.5 gig HD, full microsoft home & office business licence.

 

[RobS10]

I was just browsing through the Dell site, lol, some of the upgrades are ridiculous. Like $500 for an upgrade to an i7 2600K from i5 2300 or 2400, 2600K alone costs ~$300 retail. OK, it comes OC-ed, but only by like 0.2-0.3GHz, my mom could change multi from 34 to 37.

The on the Vostro I'm looking at the upgrade from a 2400 to 2600 is "only" $210. Hmmm, didn't see any K series CPUs though.

Have you thought about some local stores? A lot of them will assemble a build per your specification and often not charge anything if you bought all the parts from them. That way you could get the exact components you want, like 2500K or a better GPU for a market price. The downside is no 24/7 tech support.

Looking for the tech support, otherwise I think I'd take a stab at putting it together myself;-).

 

[iCyborg]

The on the Vostro I'm looking at the upgrade from a 2400 to 2600 is "only" $210. Hmmm, didn't see any K series CPUs though.

I was looking into other models as well, there are some Sandy Bridge ones for Home/Gaming or something like that.