Adding memory...how will this affect my system (slower/faster, compatible, etc)

Hi,
Im thinking of upgrading my memory and was wondering how this would affect my system. Currently running 4gb, wanting to install 8gb more.

the one im thinking of buying:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-091311-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20231455-L08A

im running:

• 1 x Rosewill Conqueror RPS-01-WB500P Triple 120mm Fans Steel ATX Mid tower Computer Case with 500W Power Supply​
• 1 x ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard​
• 1 x AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor HDZ720WFGIBOX​
• 1 x OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3RPR16004GK​

 

Hi,

After looking up the specs of your system board, it doesnt say it can support the speed that the RAM you are looking at. The board can support
DDR3 1600(O.C)/1333 according to its spec sheet at newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131366
The Ram you are looking at states that it runs at
DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900)
so there is no guarantee that once you install it, that it will work with your motherboard.
Generally, if you add more ram, your computer will run better as you have more memory available to run more or larger applications at the same time. However, if you do not have a 64 bit operating system, buying more than 4gbs will not help as the operating system cannot give physical addresses to more than that with a 32bit operating system.

I wouldnt go for this ram if I were you, the reason being is there is a good chance it will not work because your motherboard doesnt support ram of that speed. If you want to buy more ram to get up to 8gbs, you may want to buy another 4gb kit of what you currently have now. The other option would be to find a different 8 gb set that is DDR3 1600 or 1333 just so you can be sure it will be compatible.

 

Hi, Thank you very much for your reply, it helps a lot.
One followup question:
The CAS Latency on my current one is 7-7-7-21. If I get something like 8 or 9, will that make the current ones run at 8-9 or would the two sets of RAMs run at their optimal CAS Latencies?

 

Hi,
Sometimes if you run RAM with different CAS latencies or timings, the ram will not work. However, if they do work, all the ram will be downclocked to whatever the slowest ram is set to, so most likely your current ram would be downclocked to match the slower ones.

 

Awesome, thanks for the information!