Windows 7 - Need Help upgrading RAM in my 2009 machine

I saw a thread about finding what my current setup is, so here is what Piriform Speccy shows

CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 955
Deneb 45nm Technology

RAM
4.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 532MHz (8-8-8-16)

Motherboard
ECS A785GM-M (CPU 1)

I wanted to add 2 x 4gb ram to make it a 12gb setup but I can't seem to find the same kind of ram. How do I find out what the maximum RAM set up I can drop in as far as speeds, latency and volts?

As an example can I install these? Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B) 9-9-9-24 timing, a cas latency of 9

Hello garfield7 and welcome to Seven Forums. My usual disclaimer: I'm not an expert on anything!

According to crucial<dot>com (a well known memory company) your motherboard should max out at 32GB RAM (8GB/slot x 4 slots.) This will show you the available and guaranteed compatible kits for your A785GM-M.

Computer memory upgrades for Elite Group (ECS) A785GM-M Motherboard from Crucial.com

Some things to keep in mind. It's always best to have matched pairs of memory. If you mix different brands there could be some minor differences like frequency, timing, latency, etc. This should not pose any problems as your motherboard should be backwards compatible and your "fastest" memory will work at the speed of the "slowest" stick. If you have two sticks from the ABC memory company and two sticks from the XYZ company, keep both ABC sticks in the yellow slots and the XYZ sticks in the orange slots (or however your slots happen to be color coded.)

Some other memory companies to check out are Kingston, PNY, and G.Skill. Just looking at Crucial it seems like for about $90 - $100 you could actually get 2 - 8GB kits for a total of 16GB. All the sticks would match and you'd have optimum performance. You could also check out some online vendors like Newegg and TigerDirect to see if they have the memory sticks you're interested in and how their prices compare.

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9Q-16GBXL

$30 off with promo code 24HRSALE1116D, ends 11/16 .... =$110

Do you think these are worth the premium price?

Or am I better off with this set for a lot less?

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9Q-16GBRL .... =$75


Thank you for the help, extremely helpful.

Other than in a benchmark, you likely would not notice the difference between the two. The amount of RAM is more important than its speed. I'd save the $35 and put it toward something else---such as an SSD.

Absolutely agree with ignatzatsonic.

That GSkill price is high. Newegg.com - Desktop Memory, 8GB (2 x 4GB), ddr3 1333 4gb more choices. I think you'd notice a performance increse if you go to DDR3 1333 over the DDR3 1066 you have now.

Agree with the 1333 but check the documentation for your motherboard. While the MB may be marketed as supporting 1333, it may only do so if overclocked. I couldn't find the board specs so I went to the Egg. It shows the board supports 16GB so there again, it's better to rely on the MB documentation.

And don't turn your nose up at Mushkin memory. It's fast for the price (2x4GB Silverline 1333 = $40) and my recent speed post shows it. (16.82Gb/s)

thought cyber monday would bring better deals but i guess not.. they got worse lol... shouldve taken the 16gb set for 65 the other day