• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Want to add Ram, but have questions!

H

Herkulese

Golden Member
Hello all,

I use to live on this site up until several years ago. I used to build a lot of PC’s for myself, and for friends. Them my son took over that portion of our lives and I haven’t built a PC since. My son is now gone, which puts me back in the position of being my on PC tech.

Now I would like to add more ram, and am almost completely clueless as to which way to go with my system.

My setup is as follows:

Mobo: ASUS M3A78-EM
CPU: AMD Phenom 8650 3 Core 2.3 gh
Memory: 1x2gb stick - OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 PC2-6400 / PN-OCZ2RPR800C44GK (1 x2GB)
OS: Windows 7 64 bit

I would like to either add another 1 x 2GB stick of 800 or go up to 2 x 2 (4GB) of 1066.
I might even like to just get one more 4gb stick of something, and add it to the 2gb stick I already have for a total of 6gb.
This mobo will support 1066 but with AM2+ processor only, which I believe my Phenom 8650 is, although I would like confirmation of that.

My Questions:

1) Is it true that I need to use only 2 of the 4 Memory slots to keep the speed up?
2a) Would a 2gb and a 4gb stick work together?
2b) If so what specific specs should I look for?
3) Would I notice a major difference between the 800 and 1066 relative to the difference in cost?
4) Which ram could I add to the existing OCZ 800 stick to work stable?
5) Which ram should I go for if I get 2 x 2 sticks of 1066 ram?

NewEgg Ram prices:

$29.00 (1 x 2gb) CORSAIR XMS2 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model CM2X2048-6400C5

$75.00 (1 x 4gb) Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model 991762

$60.00 (2 x 2gb) CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5

$69.00 (2 x 2gb) CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX

Thanks for any and all comments.
 
Last edited:
The bottom corsair looks good. Don't worry about ram speeds. You won't notice the difference between 800 and 1066.
 
in general, if you have a dual channel memory controller and want to realize those benefits, then you should populate slots in pairs. if doing so, it's better when capacities match. however, it is possible to have pairs of unmatched capacities if you have more than 1 pair (eg, 2x 1gb sticks in 1 pair of slots, and 2x 2gb sticks in another pair).

if you're not overclocking (and therefore not using funky memory dividers to kick your bandwidth up), then the speed of ram doesn't really make a difference in normal day-to-day usage. you can also use mismatched speeds by pairs as well. however, they will default to the slowest ones.

ddr2 has been phased out more or less, so any deals you can find, grab it! that gskill 4gb kit for 50$ is pretty decent.
 
darckhart said:
in general, if you have a dual channel memory controller and want to realize those benefits, then you should populate slots in pairs. if doing so, it's better when capacities match. however, it is possible to have pairs of unmatched capacities if you have more than 1 pair (eg, 2x 1gb sticks in 1 pair of slots, and 2x 2gb sticks in another pair).

if you're not overclocking (and therefore not using funky memory dividers to kick your bandwidth up), then the speed of ram doesn't really make a difference in normal day-to-day usage. you can also use mismatched speeds by pairs as well. however, they will default to the slowest ones.

ddr2 has been phased out more or less, so any deals you can find, grab it! that gskill 4gb kit for 50$ is pretty decent.

DAVEYBRAT wrote For that processor and motherboard, just go with this 4GB Kit for only $50..
Click to expand...


Thanks for the link to the gskill kit, it has been ordered.

Would it be worth it to install the gskill 4gb kit in the first pair of slots, and the single OCG 2gb stick in one of the second pair of slots?
 
Last edited:
As stated above:

I plan to put the gskill 2 x 2's in slotts one and two.
Is there any downside to putting the single OCS 1 x 2 into slot 3?
These are all 800 speed sticks.
 
since you already have a single 2Gb stick, then just add another. You're not going to notice the difference between 4 and 6gb
 
Herkulese said:
As stated above:

I plan to put the gskill 2 x 2's in slotts one and two.
Is there any downside to putting the single OCS 1 x 2 into slot 3?
These are all 800 speed sticks.
Click to expand...

800 speed is just the maximum they're qualified to run, so a 1066 stick will run @ 800 if that's what your computer is capable of.
 
biostud said:
800 speed is just the maximum they're qualified to run, so a 1066 stick will run @ 800 if that's what your computer is capable of.
Click to expand...

There is no 1066 speed memory in the mix. It is all 800.

As I mentioned above, I have already ordered the gskill 2x2 800 kit, and plan to put these sticks in slots 1 and 2.

I then want to put the OCZ 1x2 800 stick in slot 3.

Again, just to be clear, will there be any downside to populating slot 3 with the single 1x2 OCZ 800 stick, without populating slot 4.

Also, thanks for the comments. They have been a huge help.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top