Which is the 'best' RAM from these 3?

W

WeApOn

New Member
CLICK ME


I've currently got 4GB of the G.SKILL RAM that is part of the above comparison, and I wanted to upgrade. However, there's some good deals going on for the Patriot RAM currently, and I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to change RAM altogether.

I know timing is important with RAM, and as far as I know, the only way to compare which type of RAM is better? From what I can see here, the 3rd choice in my link is the 'fastest', with the lowest Timing.

Could someone please recommend what is the 'best' RAM from the three above, and if it's worth buying 8GB of that kind, or if it's a better idea to just buy 4GB more of the G.SKILL that is also in the list?

I have a core i7-860 processor with a Gigabyte P55 motherboard.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Are you sure you need the extra memory? How much memory is being used at most of the 4gb you already have? What do you use your computer for?
 
Primarily gaming, video production, and encoding. I've seen my memory up around 85, 90% when I'm slamming my computer. I didn't think I would need more than 4gb originally, but I'd rather have more if that will improve performance.

Also, the speed is faster with this Patriot brand, so that's what's making me sway this way.
 
Last edited:
as far as speed, the viper ii should be the best. it has slightly better timings and the same speed (you might not even notice the speed difference but it is on sale for cheaper than the rest so i'd go with it).
 
Since I have 4GB of the G.SKILL, if I buy 4GB of the Viper II I would be operating at the G.SKILL speed, correct? Would I essentially be upgrading to 8GB and not getting any benefit from the faster speeds?

Trying to figure out what's best in my scenario...
 
oh oh oh... i didn't read that :o

to be honest, i don't know if the timings will change to match your old set. the speeds are the same so there are no problems there. i guess i'd say get the same ones you have now. why are you upgrading to 8gb?

also, so your old set is also 1600? the same ones linked?
 
I'm not sure if I would take the chance on having 2 different brands of memory, as your motherboard may not like it and not boot. I would just go with another 4gb of what you have.
 
If you think you really need the extra memory, get another 4 of the G Skill.

The Patriot does have better timing, 8-8-8-24 but it takes 1.65V to get there. The G Skill has 9-9-9-24, but on only 1.5V. Chances are you could get the G Skill to 8-8-8-24 with lower voltage.

Dont let manufactures fool you with better timing by jacking up the default voltage.
 
StrangleHold said:
If you think you really need the extra memory, get another 4 of the G Skill.

The Patriot does have better timing, 8-8-8-24 but it takes 1.65V to get there. The G Skill has 9-9-9-24, but on only 1.5V. Chances are you could get the G Skill to 8-8-8-24 with lower voltage.

Dont let manufactures fool you with better timing by jacking up the default voltage.
Click to expand...

shit didn't even notice that.
 
StrangleHold said:
If you think you really need the extra memory, get another 4 of the G Skill.

The Patriot does have better timing, 8-8-8-24 but it takes 1.65V to get there. The G Skill has 9-9-9-24, but on only 1.5V. Chances are you could get the G Skill to 8-8-8-24 with lower voltage.

Dont let manufactures fool you with better timing by jacking up the default voltage.
Click to expand...

Great info, thanks! Wish I knew more about OCing RAM and voltages.

Thing is, the Viper II is $65 AR, while the GSKILL is $93 for 4GB.

I'd like to go with another GSKILL as opposed to the Patriot, but I was curious on how much better the speed would be... Someone just tell me I wouldn't notice it, so I can stick with the same RAM I've got and avoid 2 rebates and having to sell my current 4GB :P.
 
I'd get the Gskill, honestly Patriot has produced a pretty poor product for some time now as far as DDR3, plus never really count on getting the rebates when looking at prices.
 
Thanks guys, think I'll stick with what I've got. :)

Dying to find just a 2GB stick of it to go 6GB, but only found the G.SKILL offered in 2x2GB.

StrangleHold said:
Plus I dont think you woud really have any problem getting the G Skill to 8-8-8-24 easy;)
Click to expand...

I've got a MOBO that supports doing this to the RAM, just not sure how to go about it. Any tips? I know it's got to do with voltage.
 
WeApOn said:
I've got a MOBO that supports doing this to the RAM, just not sure how to go about it. Any tips? I know it's got to do with voltage.
Click to expand...

I've got some running at 8-8-8-24 at 1.6V. Just set the timing to 8-8-8-24 and bump the voltage to 1.6V.
 
bomberboysk said:
Also, don't go with 6GB, stay with 4GB until you need more, and then go 8GB, as AMD processors are dual channel.
Click to expand...

I've got an Intel i7. Same recommendation for Intel?

StrangleHold said:
I've got some running at 8-8-8-24 at 1.6V. Just set the timing to 8-8-8-24 and bump the voltage to 1.6V.
Click to expand...

Just tried playing around in the BIOS, but ended up with a blue screen thereafter. I have a Gigabyte MB, and I was using the M.I.B. tools. I upped the CAS latency time to 8, the tRCD to 8, the tRP to 8, and tRAS stayed at 24. Below that were a ton of other options:

tRC
tRRD
tMIR
tWR
tWTP
etc.. etc..

Might have a few of those abbreviations wrong, trying to read from my cellphone picture. Those I kept all at 'Auto'. When I checked the timing for channel B, it was automatically the same for what I put for channel A above.

Then I went into Voltage and set the DRAM voltage to 1.600. Not sure what caused the blue screen...
 
Last edited:
So after much experimenting, it is definitely when I am manually setting my timing to 8-8-8-24 that my system will crash. I am upping the VRAM voltage to 1.600 and changing my timing to 8-8-8-24, but I am thinking that my memory does not go this low?

Stranglehold-- Are you sure you are using the same RAM as me? Check my OP and check out the first RAM listed in my comparison. I know some GSKILL gets to 8-8-8-24 but mine is listed as 9-9-9-24.

On another note, my voltage is showing 1.600 when I check the BIOS, yet my RAM specs say it should only be running at 1.5???
 
StrangleHold said:
Try 1.65. If that doesnt work change the command rate from 1T to 2T
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll give that a shot when I get in. Any way to tell if it will be stable before getting a blue screen, or is that pretty much the only sign?

Also, any idea why my DRAM voltage is showing 1.600 currently, when this RAM is listed to be at 1.5?

Thanks for the help!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top