Reccommend memory upgrade for X58 i7 Setup

thatsright

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
3,004
3
81
Embarrassed to ask as when I setup my rig 2 years ago, I knew all of this. I have a Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R w/ i7 920 processor and 6GB DDR3 Triple Channel Ram running DDR1333 CAS7 latency.

Its not cutting it anymore and want to go to 12GB kit of 3x4GB sticks. Only thing pushing me to more memory is heavy Photoshop use on Win 7 x64. I am (no longer) a gaming tweaker, so DON'T CARE about CAS latency, heat spreaders or all that fancy stuff. Just want reliable, compatible memory for my mobo. Just not sure what kind of memory I need, specs wise. The below is what Gigabytes says my mobo can take:

  1. 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 16 GB of system memory (Note 1)
  2. Dual/3 channel memory architecture
  3. Support for DDR3 2100+/1333/1066/800 MHz memory modules
Looked on NewEgg & Corsair/Kingston memory matcher for my mobo. But so confusing. I'd like to increase my bandwidth if possible, from current FSB running @ 1333.

Suggestions with links would be helpful.
 
Last edited:

lsv

Golden Member
Dec 18, 2009
1,610
0
71
Yea that kit is great, same kit I have in my i7 920. Though I run it at 1066 with tighter timings.
 

thatsright

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
3,004
3
81
I did find some Kingston hyperX memory with 1600mzh. However it runs at 1.65v and my mobo is rated for 1.5v for memory. Could I get this to work and be stable?
 

thatsright

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
3,004
3
81
At this point, as I don't care about CAS timings, etc...would I even notice any benefit of running RAM @ 1600mhz vs. the 1333 its running at now? I'm not overclocking or have any plans to do so. Is that extra headroom just for overclocking, or would I notice memory performance increase running wider?