Best RAM upgrade?

[anyjungleinguy]

Hi,

I'm looking for advice on which would be the best (or more appropriate?) RAM upgrade?

I have a 2500K on a P8Z68-V PRO. I currently have 4GB of blue Cosair Vengeance memory (Part number: CMZ4GX3M2A1600C9 according to Speccy) which I think is: scan /products/4gb-(2x2gb)-corsair-vengeance-blue-ddr3-pc3-12800-(1600)-nonecc-unbuffered-cas-9-9-9-24-xmp-15v - although the part number there differs by a trailing 'B'.

These are both installed in the blue memory slots on the motherboard.

I've been looking to upgrade to 8GB for a while now and I was wondering whether I should simply buy the same, linked above, or go for something like: scan /products/8gb-(2x4gb)-corsair-ddr3-dominator-platinum-pc3-12800-(1600)-non-ecc-unbuffered-cas-9-9-9-24-dhx-xmp ?

Would this memory even be compatible with my current motherboard? I tried looking for a QVL but I couldn't find the part number listed, I'm not even sure it's been updated. If it is compatible would I really see any difference towards just installing two more sticks of the same?

And are there any advantages/disadvantages of using all four memory slots?

Any help would be appreciated, as you can tell I'm pretty new at all this...

[mikeo01]

That board supports dual channel configuration, so you'll have two dual channel mode memory. It isn't as quick as triple or quad channel, but then there is no harm using all RAM slots.

The only thing I would say is if you want to upgrade to more than 8GB in future you'd need to purchase whole new RAM separately which would work out more expensive. But if you will be sticking to 8GB DDR3 1600Mhz then it'll work just fine

[anyjungleinguy]

That board supports dual channel configuration, so you'll have two dual channel mode memory. It isn't as quick as triple or quad channel, but then there is no harm using all RAM slots.

The only thing I would say is if you want to upgrade to more than 8GB in future you'd need to purchase whole new RAM separately which would work out more expensive. But if you will be sticking to 8GB DDR3 1600Mhz then it'll work just fine

Yeah, I was thinking that all the slots would be used.

In that case, should I buy 2x4GB for 8GB in total, and then can I still use the 2x2GB (for a total of 12) and then I can more easily go to 16GB if I ever feel like it?

2x4GB sticks are £31~ where as another 2x2GB is £20.

I think I've knocked the idea of using Dominator on the head!

Thanks for the quick reply!

[mikeo01]

Depends if you will be needing more than 8GB.

What programs do you run?

[anyjungleinguy]

Well, nothing that would require it. I was more thinking of if it's there if I ever need it and I won't ever need to upgrade again haha.

Although you're right, 8GB would probably completely take care of my needs. The most demanding think I do really is play games.

Although software development and possibly running enterprise DBMSs like Oracle with largish databases might take place.

[mikeo01]

Then I would go with the 2x 4GB sticks if you will be running big projects that are demanding.

To be honest 12GB may be enough for large programming projects and data bases, and if you ever do need 16GB you have the option.

It really does depend what you will be going into, for example I run a small VirtualBox client with 4 machines for my project at my university and that does require 16GB. Depending on what programs you think you will be running will determine the amount that will last you through it without getting bogged down

[Oswald]

I have 8Gb 1600 coming from 4Gb 1333 and can't notice any difference. I got a very good deal on it, but still... can't say the upgrade was worth it...

[quady]

Have you got the 2500K overclocked?

If not why not...

If so, then just using two slots will give a higher/more stable overclock so would be preferable.

Then again, using all four would be cheaper. Since the current two are 1600mhz and so pretty quick I'd just do that.

[mdenamul]

hi thanks for the nice posting .actually i also search this kind of ram.