DDR4 memory question

[CanadaOne]

Hello,

 

I have 8GB of (Ballistix) memory. I want 16GB.

 

I'm pretty sure I should get a matched set, 2x8GB, to replace my 1x8GB, and not just add on another 8GB of what I think is the same model/speed. But if I get a new set of 2x8GB, should I stick with Ballistix because my system "knows" it or will going to another memory like 2x*GB Corsair, perhaps with a different speed, cause any kind of problem?

 

Thanks.

[jollyjack]

Was always told to use the memory speed and brand recommended for your MoBo/chipset and probably processor. preferably the same brand and speed. I would say if your current memory works fine, stick with the brand and type. Otherwise eventually get 16 GB of another brand etc. and sell your 8 GB.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

2 hours ago, CanadaOne said:

Hello,

 

I have 8GB of (Ballistix) memory. I want 16GB.

 

I'm pretty sure I should get a matched set, 2x8GB, to replace my 1x8GB, and not just add on another 8GB of what I think is the same model/speed. But if I get a new set of 2x8GB, should I stick with Ballistix because my system "knows" it or will going to another memory like 2x*GB Corsair, perhaps with a different speed, cause any kind of problem?

 

Thanks.

 

It is generally better to buy matched sets to guarantee compatibility. Don't worry about the brand; your system won't remember. Besides, it's the chips inside that really matter, and the brand alone won't tell you much about that (they all use various chips from Micron, Samsung, or SK Hynix).

 

Unless you plan to overclock, just find whatever has the frequency/timings/aesthetics you want for the lowest price. While motherboard manufacturers do provide QVLs of compatible memory modules on their websites, it's safe to ignore them in most cases.

Edited September 22, 2019 by Mitthrawnuruodo

[CanadaOne]

Thank you.

 

My semi-cheap MB can take 2400 or 2666, so I'll grab a set of whatever is well priced. And nice prices these days. Much cheaper than a few months ago.

[356thFS_Melonfish]

you can use any memory you want as long as the clock speeds and timings are the same.

source - I work in IT and it isn't possible to buy the same ram all the time.

 

However, for a home rig I absolutely buy matched sets purely out of the fact that that eliminates the variances you'd normally get in different manufacturing processes for the different brands.

 

[Jaws2002]

One more tip. Check the layout of your motherboard and how it likes the memory. You said you have one stick of  8GB. Some motherboards will give you much better performance from two sticks instead of one, because the motherboard can use two memory controllers simultaneously. 

So if you upgrade to 16GB, either try to match your stick or get a 2x8GB matched set. Don't buy a single 16GB stick.

 Some motherboards (daisy chain) give you better performance if you populate the second and fourth memory slot instead of first and second, or first and third.

Check online what memory controller layout your motherboard use, so you can get the best performance from your RAM.

 

Here's a great video that explains very well why the motherboard  layout affects performance and why It's important to insert the memory in the propper slots.

 

 

Edited September 23, 2019 by Jaws2002

[CanadaOne]

I might be beating that poor dead horse a bit, but for BOX specifically, is it still the case that 8GB is enough?

 

Charlie Brown has nothing on me in the wishy-washy department.

[354thFG_Leifr]

16 minutes ago, CanadaOne said:

I might be beating that poor dead horse a bit, but for BOX specifically, is it still the case that 8GB is enough?

 

Charlie Brown has nothing on me in the wishy-washy department.

 

It would probably be enough, but I don't see why you wouldn't go for 16GB these days...

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Yes. Running Windows 10, maximum settings in Il-2, quite a few browser tabs, and several documents in Photoshop. 7.8 GB used. I've never seen Il-2 come close to exceeding 8 GB.

[CanadaOne]

I don't mean to be so wishy-washy, I'm just trying to balance out a budget for new video card and RAM.

 

If the new video card has twice the memory of the old one, does that compensate (or whatever) for less system RAM?

 

I'm running Win7, just FYI.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Not to worry. I could have avoided a few silly purchases if I had carefully considered the actual requirements.

 

For most practical purposes, VRAM and system RAM are separate. The GPU can use system RAM, but access to this pool is so slow that it's not very relevant.

 

 

[CanadaOne]

34 minutes ago, Mitthrawnuruodo said:

Not to worry. I could have avoided a few silly purchases if I had carefully considered the actual requirements.

 

For most practical purposes, VRAM and system RAM are separate. The GPU can use system RAM, but access to this pool is so slow that it's not very relevant.

 

 

 

I appreciate your patience.

 

I want to replace my 1060 3GB with a 1660ti 6GB, and I was curious if memory on the video card in any compensates for perhaps a lack of system memory. I know the card will dump into the system memory if overloaded, and, as you said, slow way down. But is there any "give" in the other direction?

 

All these words to save $100. I'm not just wishy-washy, I'm cheap.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

There likely isn't much give in the other direction (it's really hard to say exactly because the graphics driver just does whatever it feels necessary). In fact, it could even get slightly worse because you may want to increase graphics settings with the new GPU, and certain settings do use a bit more system RAM.

 

However, running Il-2 right now on a machine with 8 GB doesn't give me any significant performance issues, although you never know what the next patch will bring (it would be interesting to try the official "4 Gb+" system requirements currently listed on the website).

 

You could grab another similar 8 GB module to add to the current one for an inexpensive upgrade. Running at stock speeds, this shouldn't cause any problems.

Edited September 23, 2019 by Mitthrawnuruodo

[CanadaOne]

I 'spose I'll grab the video card and see what happens to my FPS.

 

Just farting around on the Prokorovka map with my one plane, blowing up a few stray trucks, my FPS dropped like Louis C.K.'s pants when I upped the shadow quality and terrain distance. I mean from 90+ down to 25 and less. It was brutal.

 

 

[Flashy]

If I were you, I'd just look for another 8gb dimm of the same type (manufacturer, speed, latency, etc) as the one you have on ebay or a similar site. You're in Canada so I presume you have access to many great second-hand sites and a working postal service (something we dont have down here!) so shipping shouldn't be too expensive either. These days, 16gb is pretty much becoming the minimum amount of RAM, but you can get by with as little as 8 if you close unnecessary applications and Chrome windows before running the game. The graphics card and VRAM is by far the most important component to getting a good gaming experience, so if you are on a budget I would get the best graphics card you can afford with at least 6gb of VRAM.