Best brand and amount of RAM...

adura · 10-31-2009, 06:31 PM

Hey I have a question. I have had my computer for over a year but it was built with some good stuff. I want to upgrade the RAM but want to buy a good brand and buy something fast. I also am not sure at which point extra ram becomes unusable by my dual core (I believe it's 4 gigs?).

Running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit on:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6400+
Core speed 3207MHz
and I have an ATI Radeon HD 3870 video card

DDR2 2gigs at the moment

if you need any other info on the computer let me know.

IT-Tech · 10-31-2009, 07:20 PM

Here is a decent (thought a little dated) article on RAM and their ratings.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/11346...ur_system.html

Your system, since it is 64-bit will support as much RAM as your system will hold. Assuming your system doesn't hold more than 192GB which I believe is the limit on Windows 7.

As far as what's best... Check your system requirements first, then get the best that it will support. However, many may debate, you are not going to be able to tell much of difference between BEST RAM and CHEAPEST RAM. We are talking about Nanoseconds or even better yet 10th's of nanoseconds.

I myself prefer Kingston RAM.

Sure, if you provide your system information it would be of GREAT help. Especially if it is a custom build. The motherboard will be the MOST important factor on the custom build.

Thanks!

Phædrus2401 · 10-31-2009, 07:45 PM

We need to know what brand and model motherboard you are using. We usually recommend two sticks of one or two gigabytes each.

Quality brands: Corsair, G.Skill, OCZ, Crucial, Mushkin, Patriot

Kingston is alright but the hardware team doesn't usually recommend it. Some people like Geil, but again the hardware team has had mixed experiences.

adura · 10-31-2009, 08:25 PM

Ah yes, sorry about that. It's custom built, not from Dell or anything like that.

Motherboard: ASUS M2R32-MVP
Chipset is ATI Xpress 3200 (RD580)

It's capable of CrossFire but I don't have it set up, it only has one video card. I wanted the option to do it later.

I have 4 slots to put the ram in on the motherboard.

IT-Tech · 10-31-2009, 08:48 PM

Hi and I'll back out of this one and let the hardware guys make a suggestion.

However, here is a link to the crucial website along with RAM they have for your specific motherboard (guaranteed upgrade memory). The hardware guys may have something better than what is specifically designed for your system.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...odel=M2R32-MVP

Thanks and good luck!

**Tyree** · 11-01-2009, 07:07 AM

DDR2800 is the standard for that Mobo. Crucial & Kingston are good standard usage RAM but for performance RAM I prefer Corsair-OCZ-G.Skill. 2X1 or 2X2GB matched pairs as suggested earlier.

adura · 11-01-2009, 11:11 AM

sounds great! thanks guys!

10-31-2009, 06:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
adura Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Windows 7 Home Premium	Best brand and amount of RAM... Hey I have a question. I have had my computer for over a year but it was built with some good stuff. I want to upgrade the RAM but want to buy a good brand and buy something fast. I also am not sure at which point extra ram becomes unusable by my dual core (I believe it's 4 gigs?). Running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit on: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6400+ Core speed 3207MHz and I have an ATI Radeon HD 3870 video card DDR2 2gigs at the moment if you need any other info on the computer let me know.

10-31-2009, 07:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
IT-Tech Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 248 OS: All Microsoft Operating Systems My System	Re: Best brand and amount of RAM... Here is a decent (thought a little dated) article on RAM and their ratings. http://www.pcworld.com/article/11346...ur_system.html Your system, since it is 64-bit will support as much RAM as your system will hold. Assuming your system doesn't hold more than 192GB which I believe is the limit on Windows 7. As far as what's best... Check your system requirements first, then get the best that it will support. However, many may debate, you are not going to be able to tell much of difference between BEST RAM and CHEAPEST RAM. We are talking about Nanoseconds or even better yet 10th's of nanoseconds. I myself prefer Kingston RAM. Sure, if you provide your system information it would be of GREAT help. Especially if it is a custom build. The motherboard will be the MOST important factor on the custom build. Thanks! Last edited by IT-Tech; 10-31-2009 at 07:21 PM.

10-31-2009, 07:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,802 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Best brand and amount of RAM... We need to know what brand and model motherboard you are using. We usually recommend two sticks of one or two gigabytes each. Quality brands: Corsair, G.Skill, OCZ, Crucial, Mushkin, Patriot Kingston is alright but the hardware team doesn't usually recommend it. Some people like Geil, but again the hardware team has had mixed experiences. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-31-2009, 08:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
adura Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Windows 7 Home Premium	Re: Best brand and amount of RAM... Ah yes, sorry about that. It's custom built, not from Dell or anything like that. Motherboard: ASUS M2R32-MVP Chipset is ATI Xpress 3200 (RD580) It's capable of CrossFire but I don't have it set up, it only has one video card. I wanted the option to do it later. I have 4 slots to put the ram in on the motherboard.

10-31-2009, 08:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
IT-Tech Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 248 OS: All Microsoft Operating Systems My System	Re: Best brand and amount of RAM... Hi and I'll back out of this one and let the hardware guys make a suggestion. However, here is a link to the crucial website along with RAM they have for your specific motherboard (guaranteed upgrade memory). The hardware guys may have something better than what is specifically designed for your system. http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...odel=M2R32-MVP Thanks and good luck! Last edited by IT-Tech; 10-31-2009 at 08:50 PM.

11-01-2009, 07:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,586 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Best brand and amount of RAM... DDR2800 is the standard for that Mobo. Crucial & Kingston are good standard usage RAM but for performance RAM I prefer Corsair-OCZ-G.Skill. 2X1 or 2X2GB matched pairs as suggested earlier. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

11-01-2009, 11:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
adura Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Windows 7 Home Premium	Re: Best brand and amount of RAM... sounds great! thanks guys!