RAM 1600 vs 1866mhz

[Incorruptible]

Hello, I will be building a computer soon and I had some questions about RAM.

I am most likely going for 8GB since I have heard that 16GB is overkill and even 8GB is plenty. The computer will be used mostly for web browsing/youtube/watching movies and gaming(BF3).

Would it be a good idea to get 16GB to future proof the PC or should I just stick with 8GB?

As well is there a noticeable difference between 1600 mhz vs 1866/2133 mhz? I am leaning towards 1600mhz but if 1866mhz is better significantly then I will go with it.

Lastly I have some questions about SSD's. I am almost positive I will be getting an SSD.

I know that SSD's are faster than HDD's but is there a big noticeable difference though? And would 60GB be too small or should I go with 128GB? I will be installing Windows 7 and BF3 and not much else since I will also get a 1TB internal HDD as well.

 

[dma0991]

8GB is plenty. Should you need more, get a 4 slot motherboard, you can always add in more sticks later. No noticeable difference unless you're benchmarking. There are 1600MHz sticks(refer to sig) that would go to 1866MHz with minimal tweaking.

SSDs will give a major boost in responsiveness. Preferably 240-256GB as 128GB does get cramped. Prices have dropped quite a bit, 128GB back then will get you a 256GB now.

 

[Incorruptible]

8GB is plenty. Should you need more, get a 4 slot motherboard, you can always add in more sticks later. No noticeable difference unless you're benchmarking. There are 1600MHz sticks(refer to sig) that would go to 1866MHz with minimal tweaking.

SSDs will give a major boost in responsiveness. Preferably 240-256GB as 128GB does get cramped. Prices have dropped quite a bit, 128GB back then will get you a 256GB now.

Thanks, I was leaning towards 8GB of RAM and I'll keep it that way.

The only things I plan to put on the SSD are windows 7, BF3 and maybe a couple other programs like AVG anti-virus, malware and the vast majority of my other things will go on the HDD.

I was originally planning on going with a 64 GB SSD but then found it wouldn't be sufficient. Would the 120GB be enough for this?

 

[tweakboy]

Like boot up times of 15 seconds, adobe photoshop cs6 launches in 1 second and half

launching other apps everything happens instantly due to the 0.1 seek time, youll feel like you put a supercharger on your rig.

60GB is not enough, at least 120GB for Win7 or Win8 and BF4 ,,, to be future proof sorta how you say hehe,

Grab a 16GB RAM kit which are very affordable... gl

 

[aarontpx]

I was originally planning on going with a 64 GB SSD but then found it wouldn't be sufficient. Would the 120GB be enough for this?

Battlefield is enormous (like 30gb+) but if you don't plan on installing many other games on your ssd then 120gb should be fine, though if you have the money or will soon have the money holding out for 240gb+ would probably not be the worst thing ever.

Just get 1600MHz in cas latency 9 or less...you will not see a difference.

 

[dma0991]

Would the 120GB be enough for this?

Hard to say. The speed is like a drug. Once you've experienced the boost it gives, all of a sudden you want every program to run fast. Using my secondary PC with similar specs but with a HDD, loading feels like its taking too long.

There are times where I felt that I could do with more than 128GB as I do have games that are installed in HDD and loading felt slow. Then again, if you know your needs well and uninstall old games before installing new ones, 128GB should do just fine.

 

[lagokc]

8GB of RAM is fine. 1600 is fine if you have a dedicated GPU, the only time you'll see a significant improvement from faster memory is if you're using the integrated graphics on an AMD APU for some reason.

An SSD will give you a more significant performance improvement than any other possible thing you could do. 128GB is the minimum that is really usable but try to get a 240/256 if possible.

 

[Jimzz]

Yea 120/128gb is the min I would go for in a SSD. I have a 128 and am waiting for the 256 to drop a little more.

1600mhz is fine if you are using a dedicated GPU and will have limited overclocking. If you have a AMD Trinity or need options for crazy overclocking then 1866 or faster will be better.

 

[Incorruptible]

Hard to say. The speed is like a drug. Once you've experienced the boost it gives, all of a sudden you want every program to run fast. Using my secondary PC with similar specs but with a HDD, loading feels like its taking too long.

There are times where I felt that I could do with more than 128GB as I do have games that are installed in HDD and loading felt slow. Then again, if you know your needs well and uninstall old games before installing new ones, 128GB should do just fine.

Yeah, I would like to buy a bigger SSD but its too much though. I am only planning on having Windows 7 and BF3 on the SSD along with some anti-virus/malware.

I know that if the OS is installed on the SSD then BF3 must be as well but what about other programs do they have to be on the SSD?

Also which brands are the most reliable? I am looking at Sandisk, Samsung and OCZ as my top choices

 

[dma0991]

Your basic set of programs shouldn't take up too much space. Its the games that are the bigger culprits. All my programs goes to C drive including a few Steam games. Steam games are transferable to a secondary HDD partition but I prefer not to as it loads faster on the SSD. 128GB should be able to accommodate 3-4 normal sized games.

Reliable ones IMHO are Crucial and Intel. Samsung SSDs are just as good. Any Sandforce based SSDs are quite reliable after it has matured. My Corsair Force GT(Sandforce) hasn't given me any trouble at all.

 

[Incorruptible]

I will be going for a 128GB SSD. What are everyones thoughts on getting an SSD but no HDD?

I will have BF3 and windows 7 on the SSD and I already have a 1TB portable hard drive which has my movies and tv shows which I dont always need on a regular basis.

It will cost around $70 for 1TB HDD and I was thinking just forget that and then either cut my costs by $70 or use the money for some other part

 

[lagokc]

If you have an SSD but no HDD I'd really try to go up to a 180 or 240GB SSD. If you already have an external 1TB to store your stuff on consier taking that $70 and getting a bigger SSD, you will be happy you have it later.

 

[Incorruptible]

If you have an SSD but no HDD I'd really try to go up to a 180 or 240GB SSD. If you already have an external 1TB to store your stuff on consier taking that $70 and getting a bigger SSD, you will be happy you have it later.

The stuff that I have on my portable hdd isn't really things I need on a constant basis. Most of the stuff on it are my tv shows and movies and if I want to watch something I can hook it up but otherwise for me the 120GB will be plenty.

All I plan to have on the SSD will be Windows 7, BF3 and a couple small programs like anti-virus/malware.

 

[bleucharm28]

I say just keep an eye out on 250's 256's ssd. Is always good to invest a bit more space then you intentionally want. I have the Samsung 840_250GB, and it was on special for like 159.00 or 149.00. Anyhoos, I have Win7 64 ult, installed with virus program, MSO 2013, SCII, and other stuff realtemp, EVGA precision and stuff. I'm currently at 65GB used, with 168GB free space left. I the 500GB ever goes on sale, I think am gona get it.