RAM [+25]

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08-05-2012, 06:37 PM
Richie

RAM [+25]

Hey,
I currently have 4gb ram installed on my xps 83000 and want to get an additional 8gb. I have 4 ram slots (2 of them are in use). If I was to buy x2 4gb RAM sticks and run them along side x2 2gb RAM sticks will that effect the performance of the RAM overall?

I currently run a desktop minecraft server so minecraft usually takes up a good 1gb ram. Then with windows + other programs it normally does max my ram out. If I am running the full 4gb RAM everyday will it effect the performance of those two sticks? The reason I ask this is because since running it even when the server is not turned on the performance of my pc has decreased dramatically and I need to find out what's causing the problem.

Once I get more RAM I'll have 12gb RAM. Is there a way for me to set what I want what RAM stick to do. For example 1 2gb ram stick to run mc the other 2gb to run windows then the rest just to run additional programs or is it just randomly used?

Final question. What is the difference between all these RAM sticks? I understand ddr3 etc but these seem to be very similar yet some and more expensive than others.

http://puu.sh/tE9F
08-05-2012, 06:45 PM
Kieran

Well I can answer two of the questions for you:

1. Ram always runs better if the modules match each other. So there will be some disadvantage from having new modules with your old ones.

3. The timings of the modules are different. For example, the top one looks like they are 9-9-9 timing, where as the bottom ones are 7-7-7-24. The lower the better :)
08-05-2012, 06:46 PM
Recursion

Firstly, I don't see you maxxing out 8GB.

Secondly, yes it will affect the performance, IIRC they will all run at the speed of the slowest stick of RAM on your motherboard (can't remember 100% though). Thirdly, no, you cannot assign sticks of RAM.
08-05-2012, 06:47 PM
Richie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intricat

Well I can answer two of the questions for you:

1. Ram always runs better if the modules match each other. So there will be some disadvantage from having new modules with your old ones.

3. The timings of the modules are different. For example, the top one looks like they are 9-9-9 timing, where as the bottom ones are 7-7-7-24. The lower the better :)

Cheers bro

@1 but running all 12gb of ram would be better than just running the new 8gb surely?

---------- Post added 08-05-2012 at 07:48 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Recursion

Firstly, I don't see you maxxing out 8GB.

Secondly, yes it will affect the performance, IIRC they will all run at the speed of the slowest stick of RAM on your motherboard (can't remember 100% though). Thirdly, no, you cannot assign sticks of RAM.

So it would be better to take the old sticks out completely and just install the new ones?
08-05-2012, 06:48 PM
Kieran

Yes. It will still be better running the 12GB. Just it won't get the full potential.

What are the current RAM modules you have installed?
08-05-2012, 06:49 PM
scottish

difference also with the 1.5v stick and 1.35v stick

1.5v is standard so i'd get that one
08-05-2012, 06:50 PM
Richie

@Intricat;

You said the lower timings of the modules is better, what exactly does the timing do?
08-05-2012, 06:51 PM
scottish

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/...AMD/memory/131
08-05-2012, 06:52 PM
Richie

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottish

difference also with the 1.5v stick and 1.35v stick

1.5v is standard so i'd get that one

So the last RAM sticks at the bottom of the image would be best? I knew they were due the the price, just didn't understand how.
08-05-2012, 06:52 PM
Kieran

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richie

@Intricat;

You said the lower timings of the modules is better, what exactly does the timing do?

It's the delay between doing tasks. So the lower the numbers, the less delay, therefore the faster response from the RAM :)

---------- Post added 08-05-2012 at 07:53 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richie

So the last RAM sticks at the bottom of the image would be best? I knew they were due the the price, just didn't understand how.

TBH. Unless your current RAM modules are 7-7-7-21, I wouldn't bother paying the extra apart from they look cooler :P
08-05-2012, 06:54 PM
Recursion

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottish

difference also with the 1.5v stick and 1.35v stick

1.5v is standard so i'd get that one

The Sandybridge platform should use 1.35v for best performance IIRC.
08-05-2012, 06:55 PM
Richie

Alright cheers lads so just to sum things up. I should get the RAM sticks at the bottom of the image? Should I or shouldn't I run all RAM sticks together? and does anyone know if I could of effected the performance of the current RAM installed by running the full 4gb?
08-05-2012, 06:59 PM
Recursion

Just stick whatever RAM in, if it fits, it works. You're not overclocking or anything so you needn't worry particularly.
08-05-2012, 06:59 PM
scottish

I'm fairly sure it was sandybridge that ran better with 1.5v :P
08-05-2012, 07:03 PM
Recursion

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottish

I'm fairly sure it was sandybridge that ran better with 1.5v :P

God damn, you're right :P
08-05-2012, 07:52 PM
Chippiewill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richie

Once I get more RAM I'll have 12gb RAM. Is there a way for me to set what I want what RAM stick to do. For example 1 2gb ram stick to run mc the other 2gb to run windows then the rest just to run additional programs or is it just randomly used?

You can assign more RAM to Java, make sure you have the 64Bit version installed and then http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/...-java-windows/
08-05-2012, 08:09 PM
Richie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chippiewill

You can assign more RAM to Java, make sure you have the 64Bit version installed and then http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/...-java-windows/

yeah pal i originally had it at 2gb but reduced it to 1gb but if its any less it lags bad
08-05-2012, 08:11 PM
Chippiewill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richie

yeah pal i originally had it at 2gb but reduced it to 1gb but if its any less it lags bad

Probably because it couldn't keep as much world data in RAM. .Minecraft needs around 50mb-100mb per user, but if you've got plugins running you wanna assign around 125mb.

Once you've got the extra RAM then I'd up it to (with 8gb total) 2.5GB or (with 12GB total), 4GB, and make sure that the RAM is assigned by Java to the minecraft server also.
08-05-2012, 08:15 PM
Richie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chippiewill

Probably because it couldn't keep as much world data in RAM. .Minecraft needs around 50mb-100mb per user, but if you've got plugins running you wanna assign around 125mb.

Once you've got the extra RAM then I'd up it to (with 8gb total) 2.5GB or (with 12GB total), 4GB, and make sure that the RAM is assigned by Java to the minecraft server also.

It was running with regular java but now its running through cmd with java (cos i needed to change it for plugins) any ideas if that could be making a difference?
08-05-2012, 08:18 PM
Chippiewill

It's using the same java runtime, just being executed from a different location. I doubt it would make a difference.
08-05-2012, 08:19 PM
Recursion

Minecraft is less memory intensive now, you can run ~15 players off 1GB with some plugins easy
08-05-2012, 08:22 PM
Chippiewill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Recursion

Minecraft is less memory intensive now, you can run ~15 players off 1GB with some plugins easy

Depends how exploratory they are. Bare minimum is 50mb, but a lot of servers which run plugins run a lot of plugins so they tend to get way up on the memory fairly fast.
08-05-2012, 08:40 PM
N!ck

Quote:

Originally Posted by Recursion

The Sandybridge platform should use 1.35v for best performance IIRC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottish

I'm fairly sure it was sandybridge that ran better with 1.5v :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by Recursion

God damn, you're right :P

It runs fine with 1.65 V, but is on the limit of what the controller can handle and not ideal. 1.5 V is what be used in the general case for sandy bridge, but lower is always better and many new modules will be lower. The voltage does not affect the performance, just potential overclocking and timings etc.

All RAM will run at whatever clockrate and timings that the worst does. If I was the OP I would get the 1.5 V stuff with the slower CL=9 timings as it will be a closer match to what Dell put in there.