Double my RAM or max it out?

[DrivingTheNails]

Hi all,

 

I have a few questions.  I am more on the casual side of PC gaming and don't really have a need for overclocking, plus I don't want to lower the life expectancy of my hardware, heh.  Anyways, I built my rig about 3 years ago.  No major problems, though it has begun to slow with certain applications.  I don't see myself building another rig for at least another couple years.  I was looking to up my current amount of RAM from 4 GB to at least 8 GB.

 

Here are my current mobo and RAM:

Mobo - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128415

RAM - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231276

 

With that said, would it be more prudent to just double what I have or make it somewhat future proof and go with 16GB? Will dual channel RAM remain a standard?

 

Because my mobo's max RAM is 16GB, I figured that those 16GB were meant to be spread over the 4 slots or can I utilize the max by only using 2 slots (3 & 4 respectively)?  Also, since my mobo can utilize 1333 from the getgo and 1866 would require overclocking, all that is required is to overclock the FSB separate from the CPU, and because there is no voltage increase and just a speed increase would this lead to any sort of degradation or would it be minimal?

 

This is the RAM I am thinking of upgrading to, provided dual channel remains the standard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231615

 

So in the end would it be better to double what I have or go with the 16GB?

 

If my questions are confusing/unclear I apologize.  Also, if any other technical specs are required, please let me know.

 

Any help is much appreciated!

 

 

-Dan

[kyfire]

well, depends on what OS you're running. If you're on Windows 7 Home ...double it to 8 gigs, as that's all that it will use. If on the other hand you have Windows 7 Professional than you can use 16 gig

[Hyper Threaded]

Honestly, unless you run multiple virtual machines, there is no point in going past 8gb. You can have a solid gaming machine with 8gb. I would stick with 1333, as going to a higher speed provides almost no benefit.

[DrivingTheNails]

well, depends on what OS you're running. If you're on Windows 7 Home ...double it to 8 gigs, as that's all that it will use. If on the other hand you have Windows 7 Professional than you can use 16 gig

I am running W7 Pro 64-bit.

 

Honestly, unless you run multiple virtual machines, there is no point in going past 8gb. You can have a solid gaming machine with 8gb. I would stick with 1333, as going to a higher speed provides almost no benefit.

Yeah, right now I am not so worried about it, but figured if I were to do so, should I just future proof it that way if/when I decide to build a new rig I would already have RAM that would meet/exceed standards?

 

 

Then I guess it comes down to price: 2x2GB for $29.99 or 2x8GB for $69.99.

 

Also, if I were to get 16GB (2x8) @ 1866 would it run at its full potential on my particular mobo in 2 slots (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128415)?

 

 

And thank you both for your replies, much appreciated!!!

[d6bmg]

Also, if I were to get 16GB (2x8) @ 1866 would it run at its full potential on my particular mobo in 2 slots (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128415)?

 

According to the spaces, I think it should, but you need to use only those 2x 8GB modules, not with your existing modules.

And again, I can't find any specific advantage of 1866MHz over 1600MHz. You can also tighten the latency while running the modules @1600MHz.