OC or Add More RAM?

[Win7User512]

On my 1366 board, I have 6GB of RAM using the XMP overclocking the sticks to 1600mhz.

Do to the fact I use a lot of memory-intensive apps at one time and often have more than one virtual machine running at a given time, I am considering adding another 6GB to reach the board's limit of 12GB.

However, the P6X58d-E board doesn't not support overclocking the RAM if all slots are full (this is per Intel Specs). Thus I can't overclock more than 6GBs of RAM.

Now, given the fact that free RAM is wasted RAM (and I'd want to fill as much as possible) I have been debating with myself the trade off of making this change.

My system is really fast but I would possibly surrender the speed if I add more RAM and give up the overclocking.

Opinions on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

 

[electrotune1200]

While I'm not to knowledgeable about overclocking. Could 6gb of overclocked ram really outperform 12gb of ram running at stock speeds?

My first intuition would tell me to go with the 12gb of ram.

 

[Maguscreed]

While I'm not to knowledgeable about overclocking. Could 6gb of overclocked ram really outperform 12gb of ram running at stock speeds?

My first intuition would tell me to go with the 12gb of ram.

Given the way win 7 reacts to having more base system ram, I would be inclined to agree with you.

 

[Mashed1316]

I have to agree with both of you guys, if the OP is doing memory-intensive apps, then i see no point in overclocking 6GB because it won't make you gain more RAM, it'll only make the 6GB a little faster, but still you'll have 6GB.

I'd rather have 12GB @ 1333MHz than 6GB @ 1600MHz, IF i really need the whole 12GB.

 

[Ciara]

Win7User512 posted

Do to the fact I use a lot of memory-intensive apps at one time and often have more than one virtual machine running at a given time

I would go for 12GB RAM as memory-intensive apps will use MBs not so much speed that OCing will give you, also 12GB Ram will increase your page file etc.

Ciara ... X

 

[Maguscreed]

Win7User512 posted

Do to the fact I use a lot of memory-intensive apps at one time and often have more than one virtual machine running at a given time

I would go for 12GB RAM as memory-intensive apps will use MBs not so much speed that OCing will give you, also 12GB Ram will increase your page file etc.

Ciara ... X

You mean decrease pagefile right?

 

[Ciara]

:roflmao:Sorry

 

[Maguscreed]

No problem, nice sig by the way, what did you do that with? CS4?

 

[Dwarf]

I concur. Having more RAM will speed up your system, even if it means returning the memory frequency to its default value. This is because there will be less need to rely on the paging file which, being disk-based, is a good deal slower than your RAM. Since you use a lot of memory-intensive programs simultaneously, you will notice the benefit of increasing the amount of RAM to the maximum supported by the motherboard. Just make sure that you get the same type as that already installed and that it matches the timing values etc.

 

[Ciara]

No problem, nice sig by the way, what did you do that with? CS4?

Thank you - Paint.Net

 

[sygnus21]

On my 1366 board, I have 6GB of RAM using the XMP overclocking the sticks to 1600mhz.

Do to the fact I use a lot of memory-intensive apps at one time and often have more than one virtual machine running at a given time, I am considering adding another 6GB to reach the board's limit of 12GB.

However, the P6X58d-E board doesn't not support overclocking the RAM if all slots are full (this is per Intel Specs). Thus I can't overclock more than 6GBs of RAM.

Now, given the fact that free RAM is wasted RAM (and I'd want to fill as much as possible) I have been debating with myself the trade off of making this change.

My system is really fast but I would possibly surrender the speed if I add more RAM and give up the overclocking.

Opinions on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

If you're jut using the XMP profiles you're not really overclocking the system, just the RAM (technically, though that's a debate for another time and place). With that said, you aren't losing anything by adding more RAM. The most that will probably happen is you'll drop from 1600MHz speed down to 1066, however you "might" be able to push it back up to 1333 with a BIOS tweak.

Anyway, adding more RAM would probably offset the speed loss already in use. So yeah, more RAM is better.

And when or if you do decide to add more RAM, try to get the exact same brand. In short - don't mix memory. It actually would be better to get a matching set but.....

My two cents.

 

[Win7User512]

Thanks everyone for your posts. Due to the fact I need the extra RAM more than the slight speed advantage I'm going to go with more. Besides, if I need the speed again for one project or another, I can just pull the 3 extra sticks out, and set the XMP again.

 

[brianzion]

windows 7 64 Bit loves ram give it more and more and it works better i have found (with a good processor of course) overclocking is ok but i have found the sticks to be set at there required settings to preform at there best from factory just fine

 

[sygnus21]

Thanks everyone for your posts. Due to the fact I need the extra RAM more than the slight speed advantage I'm going to go with more. Besides, if I need the speed again for one project or another, I can just pull the 3 extra sticks out, and set the XMP again.

As I said earlier, you could probably get some, if not all the speed back through BIOS adjustments or running the XMP profile. And even if you can't it's not worth the hassle of "pulling" the other RAM just to get what ever small performance there "might" be between 12 of RAM running at 1066MHZ vs 6gig of RAM running at 1600MHz. I'm of the opinion that having double the RAM at 1066 is very close to, or trumps by a small margin, 6 gigs at 1600.

On the other hand there's been a debate on whether more than 6gig of RAM is really necessary today's apps. That’s another debate for another time.

My two cents