Upgragind/changing ram for a i7 920

[Nickbeln]

Hey guys !
So yeah im planning on changing my 3gb ddr3 1066 ram and i need your advises !
i was hoping to boost my PC to at least 6gb or higher by paying $200 or less.
My PC posses 6 slots which can be used this way (i think):
1rst possibility ->2 or 3 1066
2nd possibility -> 2 or 3 1333
3rd possibility -> 3 1600 xmp

What should i do ?

 

[joelm3103]

What's your motherboard?

 

[Nickbeln]

Alienware 0H869M

 

[joelm3103]

Hmm I can't find your motherboard on the net, or specs. What's the memory requirements? If it's dual channel it would be better running the 2x 4GB cards and well triple channel is the other way around being 3x 2GB cards. You gotta know the speed though since you're not quite sure. How many slots does it have, 4?

Edit: No 3GB Modules...so that's gonna lead you to (2x 4GB) 8GB if you gonna buy 2. So I'm guessing your better off with the 3x 2GB.

Crucial 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 $168.99

OCZ OCZ3P1333LV6GK DDR3 PC3-10666 1333 $168.06

 

[Nickbeln]

6 slots, 3 blacks, 3 reds. Reds are for the XMP, blacks for the others.

It can be dual channel or triple.

 

[Nickbeln]

Ok and what if we upgrade to $260 less for the best possible performance ?

 

[joelm3103]

With $260 or less, it's possible to buy 2x 4GB and run 8GB total RAM. But either way your going, make sure you have a 64bit system though, otherwise it would not see any more than 3.5GB RAM.

 

[Nickbeln]

With $260 or less, it's possible to buy 2x 4GB and run 8GB total RAM. But either way your going, make sure you have a 64bit system though, otherwise it would not see any more than 3.5GB RAM.

Yeah i do, can you link me what i should buy please ? BTW whats difference between 1066, 1333 and 1600 XMP ?

 

[joelm3103]

The difference between the numbers such as "1066, 1333, etc" is the clock speed at which the RAM can be run at with no errors or damage, however it does not state it has to be run at that rate and can also be more or less, which is called overclocking or underclocking.

The rates depend on your motherboard, generally mid-range like 1333 or 1600 would be good, which you can over clock to an extent.

I'm not totally sure what's the XMP thing about. Judging from the responses from others on the net, seems it's not that good.

XMP is Ram OC'ing for noobs. People who really want to push their systems to get the most performance don't use it. Its more of a guaranteed setting that the ram will overclock to, that is the way I think of it anyway.

How important is XMP support with RAM? - New-System-Build - Homebuilt-Systems

Also checking the prices online, all the 2x 4GB is more than your budget, so I guess you would stick to the 3x 2GB kits.

Edit: G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL6D-8GBMQ - Retail 244.99 if your board can run 800Mhz

 

[Slaymate]

Whoa..... Don't buy that 8GB kit linked above, you need a (3x2GB) for 6GB total and you should just sell the memory you already have. This is all you need and it is well below $200.

Newegg.com - OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Desktop Memory

With $260 or less, it's possible to buy 2x 4GB and run 8GB total RAM.

That is only good advice for a i5 or the i7 800 series of cpu's. The i7 900 series are triple channel cpu's and a (2x4GB) or a 2x anything kit is going to reduce performance.