RAM Upgrade

**zaheer12a** · 2012-11-24, 09:08 PM

Hey guys, I'm looking to upgrade my RAM. I'm not too good with hardware choices and was looking to get some advice. What do I need to look at when getting RAM. I have Win7, 64-bit so I know the max is 16GB. I already have 8 gigs of RAM and want to max it out. I heard it's better to get 2x 4 gigs instead of 1x8 gigs, but I'm not sure on that. If necessary I could replace my current RAM as well, so if you think I should replace them, tell me please ^^.

Also how important is the frequency? I'm including the first part of a DxDiag so you can see my current specs and help me out here. Thanks in advance.

Code:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/24/2012, 22:00:01
       Machine name: ~~~~~~-PC
   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120830-0333)
           Language: Dutch (Regional Setting: Dutch)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 02/05/10 19:13:52 Ver: 08.00.10
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
             Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8170MB RAM
          Page File: 8494MB used, 7843MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
 System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode

My Current RAM:

Code:

RAM
		Memory slots
			Total memory slots	4
			Used memory slots	2
			Free memory slots	2
		Memory
			Type	DDR3
			Size	8192 MBytes
			Channels #	Dual
			DRAM Frequency	669.0 MHz
			CAS# Latency (CL)	9 clocks
			RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD)	9 clocks
			RAS# Precharge (tRP)	9 clocks
			Cycle Time (tRAS)	24 clocks
			Command Rate (CR)	1T
		Physical Memory
			Memory Usage	76 %
			Total Physical	7.98 GB
			Available Physical	1.86 GB
			Total Virtual	8.00 TB
			Available Virtual	3.79 GB
		SPD
			Number Of SPD Modules	2
				Slot #1
					Type	DDR3
					Size	4096 MBytes
					Manufacturer	Corsair
					Max Bandwidth	PC3-10700H (667 MHz)
					Part Number	CMX8GX3M2A1600C9  
					SPD Ext.	EPP
						XMP--2
							Frequency
						JEDEC #4
							Frequency	666.7 MHz
							CAS# Latency	9.0
							RAS# To CAS#	9
							RAS# Precharge	9
							tRAS	24
							tRC	34
							Voltage	1.500 V
						JEDEC #3
							Frequency	592.6 MHz
							CAS# Latency	8.0
							RAS# To CAS#	8
							RAS# Precharge	8
							tRAS	22
							tRC	30
							Voltage	1.500 V
						JEDEC #2
							Frequency	518.5 MHz
							CAS# Latency	7.0
							RAS# To CAS#	7
							RAS# Precharge	7
							tRAS	19
							tRC	27
							Voltage	1.500 V
						JEDEC #1
							Frequency	444.4 MHz
							CAS# Latency	6.0
							RAS# To CAS#	6
							RAS# Precharge	6
							tRAS	16
							tRC	23
							Voltage	1.500 V
				Slot #2
					Type	DDR3
					Size	4096 MBytes
					Manufacturer	Corsair
					Max Bandwidth	PC3-10700H (667 MHz)
					Part Number	CMX8GX3M2A1600C9  
					SPD Ext.	EPP
						XMP--2
							Frequency
						JEDEC #4
							Frequency	666.7 MHz
							CAS# Latency	9.0
							RAS# To CAS#	9
							RAS# Precharge	9
							tRAS	24
							tRC	34
							Voltage	1.500 V
						JEDEC #3
							Frequency	592.6 MHz
							CAS# Latency	8.0
							RAS# To CAS#	8
							RAS# Precharge	8
							tRAS	22
							tRC	30
							Voltage	1.500 V
						JEDEC #2
							Frequency	518.5 MHz
							CAS# Latency	7.0
							RAS# To CAS#	7
							RAS# Precharge	7
							tRAS	19
							tRC	27
							Voltage	1.500 V
						JEDEC #1
							Frequency	444.4 MHz
							CAS# Latency	6.0
							RAS# To CAS#	6
							RAS# Precharge	6
							tRAS	16
							tRC	23
							Voltage	1.500 V

**vesseblah** · 2012-11-24, 10:14 PM

You have currently two plain normal 4GB 1333MHz CL9 sticks of RAM. RAM should be added in even number of sticks (2 or 4) because the dual channel feature increases CPU memory access speed quite notably, that's why 2x4 instead of 1x8.

Also adding more RAM after 8GB will do big fat zero in performance in a typical gaming computer. Only if you're running multiple virtual machines or like to keep photoshop, after effects and 100 tabs of web browser open all at the same time you need more RAM in your computer.

**shroudster** · 2012-11-24, 10:27 PM

why did you think ram is the part you should be upgrading? (don't see any reason to go beyond 8gb unless specific software speeds up with it)

**zaheer12a** · 2012-11-25, 05:39 AM

My RAM has been getting 'full' a lot recently, I checked in Task messenger. I run a browser with tons of tabs open + wow + spotify. That's why I thought it might be a good idea. ^^

**shroudster** · 2012-11-25, 08:35 AM

resource management issue rather than hardware one imo. (spotify is a memory hog but no reason to max 8gb, wow uses 2gb tops so that leaves allot of tabs open with active processes which is just bad )

**Darkrulerxxx** · 2012-11-25, 08:39 AM

a great site to go to for the best suitable upgrade for your RAM dilemma would go to crucial.com they have a diagnostic that scans your computer and gives you the best upgrade for your ram that you would need. good luck!

**vesseblah** · 2012-11-25, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by zaheer12a

My RAM has been getting 'full' a lot recently, I checked in Task messenger. I run a browser with tons of tabs open + wow + spotify. That's why I thought it might be a good idea. ^^

Are you looking at RAM available or free? It's a mistake even veteran IT reporters have made, and made themselves target of public ridicule.

"Available" includes Windows caches that can be dropped immediately when some program asks for more RAM, while "free" gives the number without cache.

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