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ssb1551
ssb1551 Original post #1
Dec 23, 2010 at 1:09 PM
Hi guys,
I have a 2GB Zion DDR3 1333MHz RAM & I wanna increase the RAM of my system.Should I go for a single stick of GSkill's 2GB DDR3 1333MHz or a single stick of GSkill's 4GB DDR3 1333MHz.I only have 2 RAM slots in my Motherboard & 1 is free.I'm not planning to overclock so will the latency & timings of the GSkill RAM be an issue as I don't know the latency & timings of my current Zion RAM.

Planning to buy it by tomorrow or Monday.

Thanks!!!
asingh
asingh #2
Dec 23, 2010 at 1:13 PM
Get one single stick of 2GB x 1333Mhz.
Ishu Gupta
Dec 23, 2010 at 2:09 PM
4GB 1333MHz.
M
Dec 23, 2010 at 2:55 PM
first the latency should match. install cpuz and check out the latency. then go for 4gb 1333mhz with the same latency.
Zangetsu
Dec 23, 2010 at 3:06 PM
@ssb1551: As u already have 2GB of RAM then buy 2GB RAM 1333Mhz....as asingh
has mentioned....dnt buy 4GB RAM if u dnt want 6GB RAM (2GB + 4GB)
& moreover u have only 1slot free out of 2slots....

if u know the model no of ur ZION RAM then u can easily get its exact latency timings...
mitraark
Dec 23, 2010 at 3:08 PM
HOw long before 4 GB of memory will be less than enough ? I am also buying a single 4 GB for my new Mobo with 2 slots only so that i can upgarde later on ..
Ishu Gupta
Dec 23, 2010 at 3:31 PM
@ mitraark
Depends on what you want to use it for. Gaming? maybe 2 years.
ssb1551
ssb1551 #8
Dec 23, 2010 at 3:39 PM
first the latency should match. install cpuz and check out the latency. then go for 4gb 1333mhz with the same latency.

I installed CPU-Z & this is what I found in the "Timings" section under the "Memory" tab of CPU-Z :
CAS# Latency - 9 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay - 9 clocks
RAS# Precharge - 9 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) - 24 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) - 33 clocks
Command Rate (CR) - 1T .
I have no idea what all this means:p.Moreover in the theitwares page of GSkill DDR3 RAM the timings have been given as :
Timing
9-9-9-24-2N
& Cas Latency
9
So should I go for it?What will happen if latency don't match?

dnt buy 4GB RAM if u dnt want 6GB RAM (2GB + 4GB)

Isn't the more the better true?
Zangetsu
Dec 23, 2010 at 3:44 PM
Isn't the more the better true?

If u have the budget than u can install 64GB RAM also....but on budget point of view or gaming 4GB is enuf.....

More RAM is usually needed in Animation & 3D developement....
and is mandatory for Servers.....
ssb1551
ssb1551 #10
Dec 23, 2010 at 3:46 PM
moreover u have only 1slot free out of 2slots....

Yeah thats why I can't decide whether to go for a 2GB stick or a 4GB one..Had there been 4 slots in my system's MoBo I would have purchased a 2GB.But unfortunately there are only 2 slots!!:C_cry:
Guess I gotta pay for buying a cheap board!!

If u have the budget than u can install 64GB RAM also....but on budget point of view or gaming 4GB is enuf.....

More RAM is usually needed in Animation & 3D developement....
and is mandatory for Servers.....

Yups thats true!!I have 3.5k to spare on RAM.But I aint into Animation/3D development.I just play games & watch movies on my computer(for most of the time) when I aint using MS Office.
So should I bust the 3.5k on 4GB RAM or get 1 a 2GB one for 1.5k??
Zangetsu
Zangetsu #11
Dec 23, 2010 at 4:08 PM
3.5k..if get 4GB RAM in dat range then definitely go for 4GB RAM
otherwise go for 2GB....coz i told u its budget point of view....
ssb1551
ssb1551 #12
Dec 23, 2010 at 4:33 PM
I know!!Its a sweet deal, isn't it?
Any idea on the latency timings?I've posted the ZION's latency in post#8.
Zangetsu
Zangetsu #13
Dec 23, 2010 at 4:59 PM
I know!!Its a sweet deal, isn't it?
Any idea on the latency timings?I've posted the ZION's latency in post#8.

sorry dnt knw about the RAS/CAS reading...others will help u on dat....
the easiest solution is to somehow get the model no of ZION Ram....
ssb1551
ssb1551 #14
Dec 23, 2010 at 5:10 PM
Hmm..sorry CPU-Z doesn't give model no...Guess Ishu can shed some light on this topic.
Zangetsu
Zangetsu #15
Dec 23, 2010 at 5:26 PM
^^I think scrutinizing the RAM chip wud help.....
asingh
asingh #16
Dec 23, 2010 at 6:58 PM
If you get 4 GB and install with 2 GB you will loose the dual channel architecture.
ssb1551
ssb1551 #17
Dec 23, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Ohh!!Is it that way?I was under the impression that 2 sticks need not necessarily have to be of same size but of the same speed(like DDR3 1333,DDR3 1600).
But anyways I'll be getting 6GB in total instead of 4GB.Duncha think that oughta be better?
Ishu Gupta
Dec 23, 2010 at 8:53 PM
Get Gskill Ripjaws 1333 DDR3 4GB Single Stick . It matches your timings too.

Whether the 2GB GSkill and Zion support Dual Ch is a gamble anyway. I wouldn't sacrifice 2GB, seeing that this is your last slot.

You have 64bit windows right?

BTW they need to be of the same size/capacity, same timings, same speed, same number of chips.
ssb1551
ssb1551 #19
Dec 23, 2010 at 9:52 PM
^^I run 32-bit Win 7.Even if both the RAMs aint in dual channel I'll still have 4GB of RAM, right?
I didn't get the meaning of the following statement :
"I wouldn't sacrifice 2GB, seeing that this is your last slot."
Ishu Gupta
Dec 23, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Getting 2GB stick instead of 4GB stick is sacrificing 2GB :lol:

Yes you will still have 4GB.

And 32bit W7 can only use upto 3.5GB RAM. Upgrade to 64bit if you get your OS from ;)
Cilus
Cilus #21
Dec 23, 2010 at 10:06 PM
If you 32 bit window the you cannot get more than 3.33 GB or something because a 32 Bit OS can address only 2^32 bit addresses = 3.33 GB or memory.

I think what Ishu was trying to say that if he were you, he would be going for a single module 4 GB one as it is your last slot and adding 2 GB will will sacrifice the benefit of adding a 4 GB module.
Ishu Gupta
Dec 23, 2010 at 10:27 PM
^
Exactly. Said it much better than me.
Cilus
Cilus #23
Dec 23, 2010 at 10:51 PM
^
Exactly. Said it much better than me.

You know, I am born with some Psychic abilities.. that time was reading Isu's mind...:grin::grin::grin::grin::grin:

Merry Christmas to all of you.