Should I get more RAM?

[Evilhugbear]

I was looking around at newegg and saw this.

I figured this is pretty cheap, and I've heard good things about this ram.

I just wanted to hear your suggestions about this ram. I currently have 4 GB of DDR3 RAM, and I like to game, and I have noticed that on some newer games, I am getting about 80% RAM used. Is it worth getting 8 gigs? It should work with my motherboard, right?

Also, If I do buy this, do I need to reset the CMOS after installing?

Thanks guys!

Oh, also, What is the difference between this RAM and the other? I don't see any difference :O.

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

"10666CL9D" is the part of the model number that's important. I have 6GB (3x2GB) of the Ripjaws version. There is no difference other than the heat-spreader style.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

I don't think that getting the FASTEST RAM will make any significant difference -- especially in gaming as most of the real work is done in the GPU (Graphics processor).

As far as the user input is concerned - whether by keyboard or console or other device - this is TORTOISELY SLOW compared with the other components of the system so even in gaming your machine is likely to be I/O bound in any case so getting the speediest RAM won't make even 0.02 Eurocents worth of difference.

Get the CHEAPEST that's compatable with your mobos chipset, bus speed and CPU.

Increasing RAM size however IS a good idea whether gaming or not - especially if you want to run a lot of concurrent applications or Virtual Machines.

As a gamer you'd probably be better off with a FASTER GPU (VIDEO Graphics Processing Unit) with more RAM in that.

If you can afford it get an SSD as well -- most DISKS on home / consumer grade equipment are REALLY SLOW and TERRIBLE performance.

Intensive graphics are hugely "Processor bound" and by removing this functionality from the main motherboard and system to a dedicated processing unit should reap really good dividends when playing games.

A common mistake is to assume that Games need a huge amount of RAM. The fact that 80% of RAM is used in your machine doesn't actually mean that there is a shortage of RAM. The OS will use whatever it needs -- you could put 12 GB in your system and STILL find 80% is being used.

The O/S will use RAM to minimize paging and disk I/O calls.

Games as I stated use a HUGE amount of PROCESSOR cycles. It depends on the size of the Graphic array data that's held in temporary storage whether more RAM is needed -- in general most consumer type games will play perfectly well on a 4GB machine with decent graphics and dual / quad core CPU.

Personally I'd go for the fastet and highest quality Graphics processor if I were into serious gaming. as well as looking at an SSD as one of the disk devices. Certainly at least a SCSI disk at a minimum.

90% of bottlenecks in home computers BTW are caused by the generally HORRIBLY SLOW and cheap disk devices -- amazing these days that there are still some IDE (Non SATA) 5400 RPM dinosaurs out there.

Just see what people who've switched to SSD's say about improved performance on their often quite modest systems -- just by simply installing a super fast Disk.

Cheers

jimbo

 

[Johnathan Lyman]

Jimbo, RAM is also a factor, however. Regardless of how powerful your card is, you need a sufficient amount of RAM to support the game. 80% used is hitting close to the ceiling. If he wants to add more to get away from the ceiling, that's his call.

Will it increase performance? Probably not, unless the ram itself is faster (1600+). But then again he didn't mention faster, just higher capacity.

And I can promise you that if he's using 80% of 12GB of ram, it's not the game that's using it. We also do not know if the 80% is the effect of the game or not. He could be sitting at 35% before the game and that 45% increase is the game, itself.

I get where you're going, Jimbo, but the OP needs to take your recommendations with a grain of salt.

 

[Wishmaster]

Well most games are 32bit apps, and will not be able to use more than 2GB of RAM anyway.


The extra RAM will help in the sense of other processes and apps will have more room without dumping other things.


I have 8GB and it seldom ever goes above 4GB use.
The only time it does, is with a few x64 bit apps I use often that are very memory intesive.
Even then, It doesnt use all 8GB.


If you want to increase RAM, and money isnt that much of a issue, it does have its benefits.


Just dont expect more FPS in your games etc. It really will not do much for performance, since you are already at 4GB.
And 4GB is usually all most ever need.


One advantage, is obviously if you use x64 apps that can use alot of RAM.
If you do not, chances are you will seldom ever see the PC use more than 4GB, even gaming.


Another small advantgae, is if you have 8GB Windows will use it.
Putting many things into standby so they are ready faster when you do use them. But in the grand scheme of things, its not that much of an overall improvement.
Basically, youll just be able to keep alot more apps and programs in RAM, in Standby.

 

[Devux]

90% of bottlenecks in home computers BTW are caused by the generally HORRIBLY SLOW and cheap disk devices -- amazing these days that there are still some IDE (Non SATA) 5400 RPM dinosaurs out there.

I still have a 4GB IDE BigFoot TX IDE drive stored away. 4000RPM, 5.25 form factor. How's that for dinosaur?