RAM

[xXzombieXx]

So I wondering if I should get 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB.

I have a ASUS M5A97 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 motherboard and a AMD FX 6300 processor. I know it can handle 2133 memory sticks. Should I get that kind or just get 1866 or 1600? Could I have 8GB 1866 and 8GB 1600 or will that not work?

 

[Sleepingforest]

I'd recommend only going for 1600MHz RAM--higher speed RAM is usually more error prone (due to loose timings) or low lifespan/high failure rate (out of spec voltage, extra heat from being clocked too high).

As for how much RAM you should get: that really depends on what you want to do. Gaming, simulations, VMs, CAD, photo editing and so on all have different needs.

 

[xXzombieXx]

So go with the 1600? I am going to use it for gaming and I am hoping to overclock my fx 6300 to increase my performance.

 

[Ketchup]

So go with the 1600? I am going to use it for gaming and I am hoping to overclock my fx 6300 to increase my performance.

RAM speed hasn't mattered for a few years now. Depending on what you use the rig for, 8 GB will probably be fine.

The more RAM sticks you have, the more likely they will limit your overclock.

 

[DominionSeraph]

I'd get two of these for 16GB if price is of concern:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009V55V68/?tag=pcpapi-20

$30 for 1x8GB DDR3-1600 is crazy cheap. It's CAS 11 so it'll be a couple % slower than CAS 9, but you're looking at a $17 savings per DIMM. (As ketchup said, RAM speed doesn't matter much)

If you do want to pay more, this DDR3-1866 is within $5 of the cheapest CAS 9 DDR3-1600:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3938566&SID=