Expanding memory

[diapersarefullofshit]

Hello Einsteins,

 

I made this topic because i want to be sure (just factchecking), so here we go. I am going to expand and upgrade my current rig (g3258 into an 8 thread processor, xeon 1231V3 or better), it is the last upgrade this 1150-rig is gonna get. Therefore I want to expand/optimize the memory for 8 threads too. I am using the rig for gaming/vlcplayer/3Dcad/rendering nice looking assembly-pictures.

 

Motherboard: MSI Z97M-G43

Memory: Crucial DDR3 Ballistix Sport 2x4GB 1600 C9

GPU: Gigabyte 960 2GB

 

Motherboard manual states: "To ensure system stability, memory modules must be of the same type and density in Dual-Channel mode. Due to chipset resource usage, the system will only detect up to 31+ GB of memory (not full 32 GB) when all DIMM slots have 8GB memory modules installed."

 

Simple questions:

1) Can i use any 2x4GB 1600mhz c9 kit from any manufacturer to expand to 16GB?

2) Seeing that memory is quite cheap at the moment, is it worth it to ditch the current 1600c9 memorykit in favor of alot more (16/32GB) higher mhz memory (i have read rumours that 2133/2400mhxz is the sweet spot)?

3) Is adding a 2x4GB 1600 c9 kit the most optimal and best option i have?

 

Pretty basic questions, i just want to be sure.

[chiwas]

You can add any extra RAM sticks, just make sure they're at same speed/latency.

DItching current skicks is not a bad idea if you need more then 16GB. About ram frequency, I'm not sure you'll ever feel the difference.

[Dr_Pleeper]

Just get the same pack of ram you got last time, or get ram of the same speed and timings.

[diapersarefullofshit]

Can i also add 2x8GB to get (2*8+2*4=) 24GB-1600c9 in total?

[Dr_Pleeper]

1 minute ago, diapersarefullofshit said:

Can i also add 2x8GB to get (2*8+2*4=) 24GB-1600c9 in total?

Ummmm, not completely sure about that one.

[Aytex]

9 minutes ago, chiwas said:

You can add any extra RAM sticks, just make sure they're at same speed/latency.

DItching current skicks is not a bad idea if you need more then 16GB. About ram frequency, I'm not sure you'll ever feel the difference.

No..

Make sure its the same Voltage

It won't even let you use the sticks if their different voltages

 

[diapersarefullofshit]

11 hours ago, Aytex said:

No..

Make sure its the same Voltage

It won't even let you use the sticks if their different voltages

 

 

After some digging i found that 3DCAD software (like Solid Works 2012) often uses a swap when the memory amount is not enough. Getting more ram helps to avoid using a swap for as long as psychically (memory) possible. Therefore in my case the most optimal amount of memory could be (2*8+2*4=) 24GB-1600c9-1.5V in total, as i lose 1GB when i install 32GB according to the motherboard manual. Afaik i can add 2x8GB with the same characteristics (1600c9-1.5V) to 2x4GB memory, is that correct?

 

[Aytex]

1 hour ago, diapersarefullofshit said:

 

After some digging i found that 3DCAD software (like Solid Works 2012) often uses a swap when the memory amount is not enough. Getting more ram helps to avoid using a swap for as long as psychically (memory) possible. Therefore in my case the most optimal amount of memory could be (2*8+2*4=) 24GB-1600c9-1.5V in total, as i lose 1GB when i install 32GB according to the motherboard manual. Afaik i can add 2x8GB with the same characteristics (1600c9-1.5V) to 2x4GB memory, is that correct?

 

you can add any amount to any amount, theres no 100% it will work but as long as same voltage

 

[diapersarefullofshit]

54 minutes ago, Aytex said:

you can add any amount to any amount, theres no 100% it will work but as long as same voltage

 

Thx for the info. I did some research and as it turns out alot of 3Dcad-rigs are partpicked around the least amount of swapusage possible. More memory is better because once the memory is full, the progam will use a swap and then the system-performance becomes dependant on the speed of the storagedevices. So my ultimate 3dcad rig would be like 24GB ram and 2 solidstate (swap)drives in raid 0. It also shows that overclocking is not that big of a deal, yeah, xeon 1231v3 it is i guess.

 

Pretty amazing rule of the thumb quotes from that pdf:

54% boost - Increasing RAM from 8GB to 24GB

47% boost - Replacing the 7200rpm hd with a ssd

12% boost - Overclocking a processor (25%)

12% boost - From 2 to 4 cores (if you run alot of engineering software, more cores is better but this statement is about 3Dcad only).