PC Memory (RAM)

[Sweey]

The 64-bit era could slowly start to become a reality, as OCZ now thinks it’s worth introducing 8GB memory kits for ‘workstations and advanced gaming systems.’ The OCZ2P8008GQ kits feature four 2GB sticks of PC2-6400 memory with 5-4-4-18 timings, and will only be useful for those using 64-bit operating systems, as 32-bit operating systems can only access a total of 4GB of RAM.

OCZ’s vice president of technology development, Dr Michael Schuette, admitted that ‘to have eight gigabytes of memory available in the system may sound like overkill for the average user.’ However, he added that ‘in any mega-tasking environment the requirements for system memory can skyrocket and easily break the 4GB boundary.’

OCZ claims that the Quad Kit ‘is ideal for enthusiasts, professionals, and DIY system-builders using Windows® Vista™ as their choice operating system that require the performance of high-speed memory. As the ultimate upgrade for hardcore gamers, the latest DirectX-10 PC titles require large amounts of memory to deliver the most stable system performance and maximize game play.’

Still don't think games need anything more than 4GB but it'd be nice to see a significant shift to 64-bit as those of us using a 64-bit OS can suffer compatibility issues - like being unable to run some if not all 16-bit applications :huh:

[Jesus]

Yes, but still that's a bit too much, even for a high-end gaming pc.

EDIT: 1500th post

[PacMan]

I'd rather see DDR3 before 8gb.

[Sweey]

I'd rather see DDR3 before 8gb.

It's already here, just bloody expensive.

[Wan]

Here's a deal.

So does 512MB DDR3 better than 1GB DDR2?

[Miggy]

I think I might download some RAM, which one do you recommend I download?

:jester:

[Sweey]

Here's a deal.

So does 512MB DDR3 better than 1GB DDR2?

Considering the level of electronics and technology these days, do you honestly believe that you can ask such a plain question? RAM has various speed ratings and a frequency it runs at. For a start you'd have been better off asking how much quicker, if at all, 1GB of DDR3 is compared to 1GB of DDR2. Read below in order to learn such and get a partial answer to your question.

http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2989

I think I might download some RAM, which one do you recommend I download?

:jester:

I get this horrible feeling that you will soon be given an answer to your question.

[Miggy]

I get this horrible feeling that you will soon be given an answer to your question.

If anyone does actually answer it I say a banning is in order.

[Viperized]

Yeah (http://www.download.com/FreeRAM-XP-Pro/3000-2086_4-10070530.html)

[Wan]

That's a tool for releasing unused Ram.

[Jesus]

Is the performance between DDR2 800 and the DDR3 RAM significant?

Is the price of DDR3 still expensive as before?

Concerning DDR RAM, we call them DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 respectively despite the three of them being of the same technology except that the clock speeds/frequency are higher in DDR2 and DDR3, right?

[Sweey]

Is the performance between DDR2 800 and the DDR3 RAM significant?

Is the price of DDR3 still expensive as before?

Concerning DDR RAM, we call them DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 respectively despite the three of them being of the same technology except that the clock speeds/frequency are higher in DDR2 and DDR3, right?

As far as I'm concerned DDR3 is way too expensive for what it gives. I also belief the greatest benefit of DDR3 would be seen in servers and not desktop computers.

The difference between the types is the rate at which the memory can access the external data bus.

[Dundon's]

I overclocked my ram there tonight to 1866 @1.55v, seems stable and the benchmark scores show over a 20% increase in performance, good enough to push my windows score from 7.7 to 7.9 aswell.

I could try and fine tune the timings but since I got no scares I'm temped to leave it alone now, what do you think of 1.55v ?

[Sweey]

I'm pretty sure 1.55 is fine alhough it depends on what RAM you have. From memory, 1.65 would be far more contentious.

[Dundon's]

I might try fine tuning the clock speeds though, so far I have them at 10.12.12.36 and I could try tweak them lower. Would love to run it at 10.10.10.30 or even 9.9.9.28 but when you start getting lower it tends to hang on boot.

[Sweey]

I might try fine tuning the clock speeds though, so far I have them at 10.12.12.36 and I could try tweak them lower. Would love to run it at 10.10.10.30 or even 9.9.9.28 but when you start getting lower it tends to hang on boot.

Sounds about right. There's a balance between the timings and the frequency of the RAM - just can't remember where that lies. Download and run SuperPi Mod to check how quickly the system is calculating Pi to x number of decimal places. Its a decent indicator of memory performance. There might be better programs which have been released over the last couple of years.

[nikos24]

Sweey - I'm planning to get a RAM because I do some video editing and I realized whenever my laptop opens up two applications related to work, it becomes really slow.

What RAM would you suggest that would work for the foreseeable future? Is it true you could get new RAM but in a few months they become defective? I was thinking of Crucial. Are they reputable?

And finally, I'm also thinking of upgrading my HDD and convert it to SSD. Would you say a 128GB SSD is better than a 500GB HDD? I have an external hard drive. My main point is just I'd like my laptop to run faster and smoother especially when editing. What can you advice? I have a MBPro 15 inch running on 4GB Ram, 2.0 GHz, Intel Core i7, with a capacity of a 500GB HDD. I'm also open to replacing my optical drive as I heard that's possible. Believe me, I'm not techy so I'd hope you reply in simple language :laugh:

Many thanks in advance!

[Sweey]

Sweey - I'm planning to get a RAM because I do some video editing and I realized whenever my laptop opens up two applications related to work, it becomes really slow.

What RAM would you suggest that would work for the foreseeable future? Is it true you could get new RAM but in a few months they become defective? I was thinking of Crucial. Are they reputable?

And finally, I'm also thinking of upgrading my HDD and convert it to SSD. Would you say a 128GB SSD is better than a 500GB HDD? I have an external hard drive. My main point is just I'd like my laptop to run faster and smoother especially when editing. What can you advice? I have a MBPro 15 inch running on 4GB Ram, 2.0 GHz, Intel Core i7, with a capacity of a 500GB HDD. I'm also open to replacing my optical drive as I heard that's possible. Believe me, I'm not techy so I'd hope you reply in simple language :laugh:

Many thanks in advance!

Crucial aren't bad but I personally prefer Corsair RAM as I've not had issues with them before. You have to get something that is compatible with your laptop - as you've got a Macbrook Pro 15 inch, you'll find lots of people doing the same thing if you search Google. I assume you'll want DDR3 RAM but there are only so many slots in the laptop and they only support memory of a certain capacity each (perhaps two slots and up to 2GB each which means you'll never get more than 4GB - you will need to check this online). The Core i7 at 2Ghz could be partly to blame for the slowness, check for other people's opinions on that as well. I know that sounds a bit of a cop out on my behalf but I'm not in the know when it comes to OS X demands on the CPU and RAM except that they're meant to be lower than Windows.

An SSD will make loading of applications and the OS considerably faster. A 128GB SSD is fine if you're using the external drive to keep everything else on. You don't want to run out of room though, so consider 256GB if money allows it...just make sure you'll need the space.

[nikos24]

Much appreciated Sweey. I looked into Corsair and they seem decent too. I'll order online from them and I'll also invest in a 256GB as I'll probably need the space, and I'll be covered should any issue related to it arises.

Thanks Sweey!