New motherboard - RAM

Brendan M · 19 Jan 2015

Hi there
Been a while since I have posted here. Will try to keep this short.
My computer died and eventually needed a new motherboard and with that, I also needed a new CPU.
As time was not on my side (desperately needed computer to write assignments for Masters) I made a snap decision without my usual due dilligence and research.
So my system now has a Gigabyte Z97X-UD3H motherboard. The CPU is an i5 4440 (I think). Will confirm when I get home tonight.

This new motherboard has only 4 slots for the RAM sticks (I'm not computer savy so don't know the correct name) when my old system (can see my old specs in my signature) had 6 spaces. So now I have only 8gb ram when I use to have 12.

My question is, will I notice any difference with 8gb versus 12gb? The most labour intensive thing my pc does is either gopro video editing or running Cyberlink Powerdirector for video editing.

Should I dump my 6 sticks of 2gb ram and perhaps buy 2 sticks of 8gb ram? Should I go crazy and buy 4 sticks of 8gb ram? Why would I want 32gb ram, future proofing?

Still have same graphics card, os boots off of a Samsung SSD and my 2 1TB drives contain all my files.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

ignatzatsonic · 19 Jan 2015

Do some of your most labor intensive stuff.

While doing it, start Task Manager and look at the performance tab. Then poke Resource Monitor at the bottom of that tab and choose the memory tab.

You should see a colored graph showing how your RAM is being used. As long as you have some shown in blue (standby and free), you aren't using all of your existing RAM and buying more wouldn't serve much purpose.

You ought to update your system specifications to show your new updated hardware.

Layback Bear · 19 Jan 2015

After checking you ram usage while video editing like ignatzatsonic suggested.
You could look through this information. It's not very long but does give some good advice on hardware. It basically depends on your budget and how fast you want things to work.

Top 5 Questions to Answer when Purchasing a Video Editing Computer | Videomaker.com

Conclusion

The task of video editing is probably the most intensive of all computer applications. It literally stretches your computer to the limits of its power. But armed with the right tips we have just given you, your selection task for the "perfect" video editing computer should be much easier and help you put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

jr48az · 19 Jan 2015

ChipsetIntel Z97MemoryDual Channel DDR3, 4 x DIMM, Max. 32 GB DDR3, DDR3 3000(O.C.) / 2933(O.C.) / 2800(O.C.) / 2666(O.C.) / 2600(O.C.) / 2500(O.C.) / 2400(O.C.) / 2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 2000(O.C.) / 1866(O.C.) / 1800(O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory

Based on the above it appears as though you will have up to 32gb available in memory with the 4 slots. You may have to purchase new memory sticks as each slot will handle 8gb each. Hope this helps.

Ranger4 · 19 Jan 2015

Another point to keep in mind if you are using only 2 RAM slots is that you use the correct ones.

Refer to the motherboard handbook. On my Gigabyte motherboard, which also has 4 RAM slots, it says for best results to use slots 1 & 3 when only fitting 2 RAM sticks.

Refer to the handbook for the actual slot numbering so you get it right for best performance.