New to RAM upgrading...

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shiroshadows

165 posts

Master Geek

#86361 5-Jul-2011 19:15

Well I'm sitting here finding myself in need of an upgrade for my RAM
Problem is I've never needed to change or even touch it so I have no idea how to go about this so I will give as much information as possible.

I'm running a QuadCore Intel Core i5 750, 2800 MHz (21 x 133) on a Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 motherboard.

Motherboard: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3287#sp

I currently have 8GB of RAM and the website ^ says I can get up to 16GB of RAM.

Memory information thanks to Everest:
Device Description
DIMM1: 256X64M-133I
DIMM2: Transcend JM1333KLU-2G
DIMM3: 256X64M-133I
DIMM4: Transcend JM1333KLU-2G
Product Information http://www.transcendusa.com/Products/MemList.asp?srhMemWay=STD&LangNo=0

I believe I have 2x4GB(2x2GB) RAM sticks and I would like to upgrade to a full 2x8GB(2x4GB) [If that's possible-

My motherboard uses 4 DDR3 DIMM according to Everest (whatever that means lol)
So if some one can point me in the right direction and if someone could shed some light on what I'm after it would be greatly appreciated.

P.S forgive if I sound n00b

andrenz

17 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#492260 12-Jul-2011 00:15

If it was me i'd find out the model number of your motherboard using everest (or another application, or by opening your pc up and looking) and then go to the official Kingston or Crucial website and select the manufacturer and model number from the drop down box and it should show you a list of ram that's guaranteed to be compatible. That or go to your motherboard's support page and see the list of compatible ram there.

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andrenz

17 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#492261 12-Jul-2011 00:19

Transcend has the same service available:

http://www.transcendusa.com/support/search/index.asp

http://www.kingston.com/anz/

http://www.crucial.com/index.aspx

shiroshadows

165 posts

Master Geek

#492826 13-Jul-2011 12:02

Thanks that website helped but now I have another question lol

Whats the difference between this: http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/partsinfo.asp?root=anz&LinkBack=http://www.kingston...
and this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104231

andrenz

17 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#493096 13-Jul-2011 21:36

There both Kingston so there both good quality (lifetime warranty) one's from the ValueRam family and one's from the HyperX family.

There both the same speed (1333Mbps) but HyperX is aimed at gamers so it's better when it comes to over-clocking. That's the only difference I can really see. I know very little about over-clocking so I can't really say what the difference would be if you did decide to over-clock them. The general rule for over-clocking is more heat and potential instability so you'll want to read up on it and talk to someone before you get into that.

andrenz

17 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#493109 13-Jul-2011 22:07

In your'e first post you say "I believe I have 2x4GB(2x2GB) RAM sticks and I would like to upgrade to a full 2x8GB(2x4GB) [If that's possible" that's a little confusing, do you want a total of 4GB , 8GB or 16GB , also if your motherboard has 4 ram slots you'll be able to add ram instead of replacing it.

Can you download this app http://www.piriform.com/speccy and upload your system specs, it'll do it all from the program. Just click"file", "publish snapshot" and post the link on here. It won't publish your cd key I checked that out

shiroshadows

165 posts

Master Geek

#493119 13-Jul-2011 22:51

I have 4 slots and a I want a total of 16GB

I already have all 4 slots being used and have 8GB right now so I can't add. I definitely need to upgrade

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/dS78OF8wLyIFTfDkF53UyDk

andrenz

17 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#493153 14-Jul-2011 00:50

Oh yup, your motherboard supports up to 16GB so should be sweet. That particular HyperX ram you linked to didn't come up as compatible with your motherboard (GA-P55M-UD2) when I used the Kingston site though. It said your'e mother board is compatible with these ValueRam models and these HyperX models, although there's a disclaimer about the HyperX ram saying "All Kingston products are tested to meet our published specifications. Not all systems or motherboard configurations will operate at these published specifications. Overclocking the CPU or Memory Bus may result in damage to computer components. Optimal settings for individual configurations may be less than published HyperX module speeds and timings. Kingston does not recommend that any user attempt to run their computers faster than the OEM published specifications." I'm not really sure what to make of that. I'd just go with the valueram personally. 2 packs of KVR1333D3N9K2/8G (2 packs of 2X4GB)

shiroshadows

165 posts

Master Geek

#493215 14-Jul-2011 08:59

Yeah I read that and decided that I probably should just settle for the ValueRam versions
Would rather not have my computer blow up in my face lol

Anyways thanks for the help I have an idea of what I want
Just got to find the cheapest possible place to get it

michaelt

425 posts

Ultimate Geek

#493249 14-Jul-2011 11:04

The HyperX RAM isn't magically going to blow up in your face. If anything, it's probably more reliable than the ValueRAM version.

That warning is referring to the case in which the RAM you buy is faster than the max your motherboard normally supports. In this case, by default the RAM will slow down to your motherboard's maximum speed. Some motherboards however will allow you to overclock the memory bus to increase the RAM speed, which may be unreliable.

I'd just ignore that warning, as it doesn't apply to you. The RAM you're looking at is DDR1333 while your motherboard claims support for DDR3 2200/1600/1333/1066/800 so DDR1333 won't pose any challenge.

That said, the ValueRAM will probably work just as well.

If you do upgrade, I might be interested in buying a matching pair of those 2GB sticks off you in a few weeks (depending on the price).

andrenz

17 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#493263 14-Jul-2011 11:36

fare call michaelt sounds like you know a fare bit more than me. they are both 1333Mhz with the same latencies so i think it's still fare to say unless you overclock they will perform the same