RAM Upgrade

[Idbjorg]

Hello, I've asked this question in a few places and came to the conclusion my memory speed will be clocked down. I still need incite as I've never done much more than install a video card, sound card, or power supply. Here is my chipset dump:

Northbridge			Intel X58 rev. 12
Southbridge			Intel 82801JR (ICH10R) rev. 00
Graphic Interface		PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width		x16
PCI-E Max Link Width		x16
Memory Type			DDR3
Memory Size			4096 MBytes
Channels			Dual
Memory Frequency		529.1 MHz (2:8)
CAS# latency (CL)		7.0
RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD)	7
RAS# Precharge (tRP)		7
Cycle Time (tRAS)		20
Row Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC)	59
Command Rate (CR)		2T
Uncore Frequency		2116.5 MHz

I want to upgrade from 4GB PC3-8500 to 12GB (6x2GB) PC3-8500 or 10600 if my motherboard will support it. I noticed the CAS latency is higher on the cheaper RAM and if my motherboard bumps it down to PC3-8500 speed than the upgrade is somewhat useless as I could buy the RAM with the correct speed and lower CAS latency. Not only is the purpose of this upgrade to expand on memory, but to utilize triple-channel since X58 supports it.

Crucial 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500)

Kingston 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600)

Which set do you suggest I buy? I'll being buying two of either set.

 

[trents]

Use the Gomer Pyle method of decision making: Assign one choice to your first finger and the other one to your middle finger. Whop them both over the edge of a desk and the one that hurts the most is the one you choose.

 

[Knufire]

I'd get DDR3-1600 if you want to overclock X58. I have 1333MHz and it's bottlenecking my overclock.

 

[Idbjorg]

I'd get DDR3-1600 if you want to overclock X58. I have 1333MHz and it's bottlenecking my overclock.

I think it will be clocked down even further if I got 1600. I'm using a locked motherboard as well so I can't do much overclocking. How big of a change does CAS latency make?

 

[Knufire]

Not much. If you can't OC, then DDR3-1333 is fine. 1066 is a bit slow. But it's barely any difference, if any at all.

 

[Idbjorg]

Not much. If you can't OC, then DDR3-1333 is fine. 1066 is a bit slow. But it's barely any difference, if any at all.

Thanks for the reply. I thought that too and the main reason for the upgrade is triple-channel and 12GB instead of 4GB. The 1333 is a bit cheaper which is strange.