Need advice/help on how to go about upgrading my DDR3 Ram

[Finzz]

Trying to figure out the cheapest way to do this, I have about $40 or so for budget atm. I have 3 x 2GB DDR3 1600MHz and I wanted to try and upgrade,
ideally by throwing in a 4th stick of 4GB of the same kind and I needed some help.

I am currently running 3 x 2GB DDR3 1600MHz sticks, here is specs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225

I am running them in this mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813141009

One thing I was confused on though was that CPU-Z shows my ram running at 800MHz under the memory tab, but when I look at my memory
slots in the SPD tab, it tells me the max bandwidth per stick is 667MHz? Is something wrong here?:


I am trying to decide if I should upgrade with one more 2GB of the same,
or just grab 2x 4GB of a similar kind like these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...m1132X509988X9ee82b1e15601651f2c737c7faa9a4b5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...m1132X509988Xc0ad73da519e31264a81178e4839791a


But I was also thinking I could pick up a single 4GB stick of the same kind to fill my 4th ram slot, would this be viable?
Would it cause a problem to run that stick with the other 3 I already have? Such as this stick:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231313


My third option is just to grab a single 2GB stick to fill my 4th slot, which would leave me with 8GB DDR3 total, but I am unsure if that minor of an upgrade
would be sufficient enough to last a while, so I would really only want to choose this option if anyone here thinks that's the best idea.

I can post any other specs/links to my parts if that info is needed.
Thanks for any help!

 

[trents]

CPU-z sometimes gets things wrong. Recent releases of the product have been kind of buggy. AMDOverdrive is another option but it has always been buggy with regard to reporting bios settings, especially when things have been changed from stock.

 

[Knufire]

What do you use the computer for? Have you maxed out the 6GB of RAM as is?

 

[Finzz]

What do you use the computer for? Have you maxed out the 6GB of RAM as is?

I do a lot of gaming for the most part, but I max out the ram frequently because I forget to close up my tabs sometimes, since I will open something and decide to read it later. Games include Dirt 3, Skyrim, World of Tanks, most of the Source games & Tf2, Borderlands 2, both L4d games, Deus Ex: HR, all I can think of ATM.

My friend said I wouldn't be able to run the 3x 2GB sticks with a 4GB stick in the 4th slot, I would either have to get rid of one and order 2 4GB's or just order a single 2GB, and I'm not sure which I would do. I think I'm just going to grab 2x 4GB sticks, since this ram is cheap enough as it is.

 

[Knufire]

You can run whatever RAM configuration you want, it's just that you'll lose performance by being in single channel mode vs dual channel mode. Actually, as is, with three sticks, you're in the slower single channel mode.

Going 2x4GB is probably the best IMO, RAM is dirt cheap, you'll get back to dual channel mode, and you still have room to upgrade in the future.

 

[Woomack]

Best is to switch to 2x4GB in this case. Even if you get 2GB stick then noone will guarantee that all these 4 will run together as IC/SPD will be different and not all boards like it.

some of cheaper kits:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313289

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231544

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144633

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546

Most of them have similar IC and overclocking potential ( if you wish to try it ).

 

[Finzz]

You can run whatever RAM configuration you want, it's just that you'll lose performance by being in single channel mode vs dual channel mode. Actually, as is, with three sticks, you're in the slower single channel mode.

Going 2x4GB is probably the best IMO, RAM is dirt cheap, you'll get back to dual channel mode, and you still have room to upgrade in the future.

Best is to switch to 2x4GB in this case. Even if you get 2GB stick then noone will guarantee that all these 4 will run together as IC/SPD will be different and not all boards like it.

some of cheaper kits:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313289

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231544

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144633

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546

Most of them have similar IC and overclocking potential ( if you wish to try it ).

Thanks for the advice Knufire and for the links Woomack. I think I'll go with the orange G'Skill Sticks. Now I have to tackle the decision of the video card I upgrade to the MSI GTX570 or the MSI 660Ti, I'll have to make a post over there later.
Here's some links if you're interested, I know the differences obviously, just trying to figure if the $50 increase is worth the bang for the buck.

The MSI Twin Frozr III (GTX 570)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127582

or the MSI Twin Frozr IV (GTX 660Ti)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127696

 

[Woomack]

If you are planning to keep that card for longer then 660Ti is better option.
You can also think about HD7870 if you have no problems with AMD/ATI