RAM Assistance

Srcsqwrn · July 31, 2018

So, I am very new, not only to this forum, but also in the information world of computers.
I have been looking at videos, and trying to google information on computers, as I am trying to figure out what to buy if I am to create new gaming rig.

I found Linus Tech Tips videos, which have been relatively useful insofar.

But, one thing I need help with is my current rig. It's just some junk that I had bought from the store, I had thought it was pretty alright at the time.

What I would like to know is if I can actually upgrade some parts on this, or if it's not possible [Hell, I don't even know if I'm using it to it's maximum potential atm].

I have an Acer ATC-605-EF30.

This baby has:
- a sweet sweet Intel Core i5 processor 4440
- a groovy AMD Radeon HD 8570 2GB
- a not so full yet 1TB HD
- and lastly a cool 8 GB DDR3 Ram

Can anyone let me know if I can replace/upgrade this RAM to anything better?
I know next to nothing about RAM, or Graphics Cards to know what's good or not.
[Also, should I make another thread in the Graphics Card area for the Graphics Card, too?]

Hope I'm doing everything right here. Thanks for any possible help.

BlueChinchillaEatingDorito · July 31, 2018

Open up the case and take a picture so we can see what sort of configuration you're running and what the board allows. OEMs will sometimes cheap out by leaving out some RAM slots here, some PCI-e slots there, etc.

Light-Yagami · July 31, 2018

You can give it RAM as fast as your motherboard and CPU supports. In your case that's probably 1866mhz or 1600mhz.. Which you're probably already running.

Newer Motherboards and CPUs support DDR4 instead of DDR3 which you're probably running, and they can run up to 3000mhz+, depending on the quality of CPU's IMC (integrated memory controller) and motherboard. Ram quality contributes a lot as well.

As long as you're running Intel based systems tho, you shouldn't concern yourself too much about RAM speeds. AMD is far more sensitive to that.

As far as the size go, get another 8GB stick of the same speed RAM that you have and double your size to 16gb in dual channel. Occupy 2 different coloured RAM slots in your mother board if it has 4 or all if it has 2. 8gb single channel is a bit little.

Srcsqwrn · July 31, 2018

3 hours ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

Open up the case and take a picture so we can see what sort of configuration you're running and what the board allows. OEMs will sometimes cheap out by leaving out some RAM slots here, some PCI-e slots there, etc.

I have attached photos of what I currently have. Dirty, I know. I've been trying to use compressed air to get any dirt out when I can. Although, I want to know how to take this apart and make sure it's properly cleaned one day.
Everything has been left as stock. I've been afraid to touch this thing for a long, long time. Watching these videos is making me a bit more confident.

Also, do you know what that thing is for in the 2nd picture? It's attached to my HD.

2 hours ago, Light-Yagami said:

You can give it RAM as fast as your motherboard and CPU supports. In your case that's probably 1866mhz or 1600mhz.. Which you're probably already running.

Newer Motherboards and CPUs support DDR4 instead of DDR3 which you're probably running, and they can run up to 3000mhz+, depending on the quality of CPU's IMC (integrated memory controller) and motherboard. Ram quality contributes a lot as well.

As long as you're running Intel based systems tho, you shouldn't concern yourself too much about RAM speeds. AMD is far more sensitive to that.

As far as the size go, get another 8GB stick of the same speed RAM that you have and double your size to 16gb in dual channel. Occupy 2 different coloured RAM slots in your mother board if it has 4 or all if it has 2. 8gb single channel is a bit little.

Is 1866mhz better? If so, how can I tell if that is what I have?
I do have DDR3 RAM, as listed in the post. It's noted on the case itself.

If I have learnt anything thus far, it looks like i have 2 sticks of RAM in here already. Each one I suppose would be 4 gb each. So, this might mean I could up the ram in this build still? I'm hoping so. I have started streaming, and doing video or audio editing sort of bothers my system after a certain point. As well, I have been learning 3D modeling, which is why I'm wondering if I can just get a graphics card into this thing in general.

For something bought from the store, how trash garbage is this?

Thanks for the replies you two.