Memory Advice

[Tularis]

Hey,

I want / need to upgrade the memory in my system but I have a few questions.

Here is my current system:

    Intel i7 930 @ 2.80Ghz
    Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD7
    3 x 2GB PC3-10700H (667MHz) [BL25664TB1337]

So Crucial Recommended:

Part Number: BLT4CP4G3D1608DT1TX0BEU
Module Size: 16GB kit (4GBx4)
Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM
Feature: DDR3 PC3-12800
Specs: DDR3 PC3-12800 • 8-8-8-24 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.5V • 512Meg x 64 •

1. Why would crucial recommend 4x 4GB when its a TRI Channel board.
        When I first build the system they recommend a 3-piece kit

2. My current ram is 1.65v and I have read that some ram has issues running at the lower 1.5v should I take this into consideration?

As I only need 3 sticks I am considering this:

    Part Number: BLS3CP4G3D1609DS1S00CEU
    Module Size: 12GB kit (4GBx3)
    Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM
    Feature: DDR3 PC3-12800
    Specs: DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=9 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.5V • 512Meg x 64 •

3. I have also read that running 4GB sticks above 1333mhz use the XMP to overclock the memory controller, given that I have a older i7 (930) is it ok / safe to go with PC3-12800 ?

4. What would you recommend?

5. Or should I Just buy 3 Sticks of:

   Part Number: BLT4G3D1608DT2TXOBCEU
   Module Size: 4GB
   Package: Ballistix Smart Tracer 240-pin DIMM (with LEDs)
   Feature: DDR3 PC3-12800
   Specs: DDR3 PC3-12800 • 8-8-8-24 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.5V • 512Meg x 64 •

[dmdilks]

Just buy 3 stick kit. All you have to do is change the speed of the memory. I'm was running 1600 and put in 2000 to do a test.

I had to run it at 1866 because there is no setting for 2000. Plus all I did was change the speed from 1600 to 1866 and everyhting was fine.

I'm running the i7-960 too. Yes you can run the four sticks too. All you do is put the memory in all the whites slots and the last stick in the 1st blue slot next to the cpu.

But the thing is the memory will be running dual channel vs tri channel when you run the memory that way. I had about 6 of those x58 boards too.

[Tularis]

Hmmm OK,

So are you saying that Tri-Chan Memory, doesn't work @ 3x 1x 4GB Sticks

[Fatman]

Read this

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/297241-30-question-triple-channel-memory-mobos-sticks-ddr3

[Tularis]

That doesn't answer my question.

I know if I use "4" Sticks it should be Dual Channel.

But what if I use "3" sticks of "4GB" PerStick ?

[Fatman]

Well first of all that processor (I7 930) has 3 memory channels (tri channel) but you already know this. So my best advice is for you to look for a tri channel kit first and formost! You can pick these up pretty cheap on flea bay as most enthusiasts have moved on from the X58 chipset to Z series as the i7 2600K / i73770K out performs the 1366 chips in many scenarios.

[Tularis]

I can easily get Tri Channel kits fro Crucial, but it was in the post of dmdilks who said to buy a 3 stick kit but to put the last one in the Blue slot.
Which put the doubt into my mind.

I'll just get the Recommended Memory from Crucial...=)

Cheers

[Fatman]

Let us know how you get on so if anyone else has the same issue they can get reference here.

[dmdilks]

I said to buy 3 stick kit because the three stick well run in tri channel when you only have 3 sticks installed.

You said in your first post that you were talking about 4 sticks. I went back and look at the book.

If you use 4 sticks the way I said to put them in, they will run tri channel not daul. If you put them in slots 1,2,3,& 4 then they will run daul channel.

It will tell you in the book how to run the sticks on memory and in what slots.