32GB (8GBx4) DDR3/1333MHz OR 16GB (4GBx4) DDR3/2133MHz

[Swineflew]

I've been unable to get a clear answer, most of my searches keep saying vague things like "higher GB is overkill and higher speed is unnoticable" or "you only need more RAM if you don't have enough so go speed.

It's going to be a gaming rig and my gut says 32GB is the way to go, but I'm not a computer guy and I'm getting ready to finalize the order, so I created a new thread to ask a question that to most of you guys is a no brainer lol.

Thanks in advance!

[Deleted]

depends on the CPU your planning for, however im thinking 8gb 1600.

[Drunkenvalley]

For gaming? 8GB will be fine. If you're really breaking things, an upgrade to 16GB isn't hard anyway. If for whatever reason you need 32GB, you'll know.

[Deleted]

even 8gb is overkill.

8gb 1600/1333 depending on your cpu

[Swineflew]

AMD FX-8120 3.10 GHz Eight-Core AM3+ CPU 8MB

[n0cturnal]

The difference when it comes to gaming on an Intel based computer when it comes to RAM can be up to 3% from most tests I've seen. That is 1600MHz vs 2133MHz RAM. Seeing how the price difference can be more than 50% I don't think it is worth it. Spend the money elsewhere.

AMD FX-8120 3.10 GHz Eight-Core AM3+ CPU 8MB

Use the money you save from going 8 or 16GB 1600MHz RAM and get yourself an i5 3570K instead.

[Deleted]

2x4 GB ram (1600/1333) is sufficient and more than enough for todays and tomorrows gaming.

[BicycleMafioso]

While RAM-speed makes little general difference in intel builds, it matters with AMD-builds (even non-APU).

Go 16GiB 2133 MHz of the two you listed.

[Dezeria]

Just get the 16GB set. 16 is a big overkill, but by the time you need 32GB of ram, it'll probably be DDR5 by then and that DDR3 will be outdated useless.

8GB is fine for gaming like everyone says. You'll never run out just gaming.

[Lathais]

You may as well open the window and just throw cash out. Please, tell me where so I can bet there to catch it.

If I had to pick between the 2 though, 16GB is more than fine. and 2133 is more than fast enough.

[Deleted]

AMD FX-8120 3.10 GHz Eight-Core AM3+ CPU 8MB

planning to or already have? (if planning we'd strongly recommend switching to intel for gaming)

[chazus]

Because 'gut feeling' always trumps actually knowing what you're talking about.

8gb is plenty. There is no reason you'd need more, unless you actually know you need more. RAM, however, is so cheap, theoretically you COULD get 16gb, but it wouldn't help you. It's like saying a 5th wheel sitting in the trunk of your car makes it go faster, because more wheels equals more speed. If you aren't doing something that needs more ram, ram doesn't get utilized.

Depending on the cost though (16gb 1600 is $85, 16gb 2133 is $135), you'd be better with 2133 on an AMD CPU.

HOWEVER. You'd be better off getting 8gb of 1600, and getting an i5-3570K CPU. Not only will your build be cheaper, but BETTER. The better CPU trumps slightly faster ram soundly.

16gb 2133 + FX-8120 = $285
8gb 1600 + i5-3570K = $260

[DeltrusDisc]

The difference when it comes to gaming on an Intel based computer when it comes to RAM can be up to 3% from most tests I've seen. That is 1600MHz vs 2133MHz RAM. Seeing how the price difference can be more than 50% I don't think it is worth it. Spend the money elsewhere.



Use the money you save from going 8 or 16GB 1600MHz RAM and get yourself an i5 3570K instead.

You need to remember he'd also have to buy a new motherboard too...

OP, if you already bought the AMD CPU (I'm sorry...) then get 1600MHz+ RAM, 8GB should honestly be enough. What tetrisGOAT said about RAM speeds mattering much is very true when compared between AMD and Intel.

However...

If you've not bought the CPU yet, you should SERIOUSLY consider a $300~ CPU+mobo bundle of i5-3570K+Z77 motherboard. The FX-8120 is truly a poor CPU, and its successor, the FX83xx is not much of an improvement, sadly. Going Intel also means you don't need to worry about buying higher clocked RAM to get any decent power out of the computer. I have an i5-2500K paired with 4x4GB 1333MHz RAM, and I guarantee you it would plow the FX-8120.

@Chazus - I'm seeing the 1600MHz 8GB DIMMs for $70-75 nowadays for the pairs. So knock $10-15 off your Intel price.

[chazus]

You need to remember he'd also have to buy a new motherboard too...

Comparable motherboards are the same price for Intel and AMD, so I usually don't bother including the price with that, assuming it hasn't been purchased.

@Chazus - I'm seeing the 1600MHz 8GB DIMMs for $70-75 nowadays for the pairs. So knock $10-15 off your Intel price.

Yeah... That's newegg reverting to "Featured" instead of "Lowest Price" constantly >.< In fact I think there's some for $67

[Majesticii]

HOWEVER. You'd be better off getting 8gb of 1600, and getting an i5-3570K CPU. Not only will your build be cheaper, but BETTER. The better CPU trumps slightly faster ram soundly.

16gb 2133 + FX-8120 = $285
8gb 1600 + i5-3570K = $260

To further prove this is true (note, this is even a 8150 3.6ghz):
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Produ...9.60.61.62.129

[Vargur]

I've been unable to get a clear answer, most of my searches keep saying vague things like "higher GB is overkill and higher speed is unnoticable" or "you only need more RAM if you don't have enough so go speed.

It's going to be a gaming rig and my gut says 32GB is the way to go, but I'm not a computer guy and I'm getting ready to finalize the order, so I created a new thread to ask a question that to most of you guys is a no brainer lol.

Thanks in advance!

More RAM means more storage for RAMDisk. Look it up if you're looking for extreme loading/cache speeds.

[Lemmiwink]

More RAM means more storage for RAMDisk. Look it up if you're looking for extreme loading/cache speeds.

I use RAM disk for SWTOR. That game is unplayable on a normal SSD or HDD hence my 32GB.

[DeltrusDisc]

I use RAM disk for SWTOR. That game is unplayable on a normal SSD or HDD hence my 32GB.

From what I can tell in your signature, it's a shame really that the Sandy Bridge CPUs didn't care too much about high-clocked RAM. That's some nice RAM you got there, seriously. If it's running at 1.5v too, that's even nicer.

[healzpleaze]

even 8gb is overkill.

8gb 1600/1333 depending on your cpu

you are tripping people wonder why there frame rates are at 30-40 16gb is needed to not over work your cpu and gpu! he was asking whats better and you guys never answered his question just put your Wrong 2 sense in! get the 2133 at 16gb unless your multitasking 8gb will leave you disappointed its not even enough for recommendations on most games..

Infracted for thread necro - Cilraaz