2 Intern
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264 Posts
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1353
February 5th, 2021 06:00
ddr3 question
Hello all! I'm about to put the cherry on top of my 3847 by adding some (possibly violently named) RAM. I'll be getting a matched set and 8 gb each. Is it ok to get pc3 12600 ram or does that matter? I want best performance but all the different parameters are confusing.DDR 3 is the only thing I know I need. Any help is appreciated!
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redxps630
9 Legend
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15.2K Posts
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February 5th, 2021 17:00
for inspiron no need to go fancy with gaming ddr3 sticks that have heat spreaders. just get 2x 8GB DDR3-1600 PC3-12800 Non ECC Unbuffered 240 Pin Desktop only. Do not get server ddr3 or registered or ecc.
if you want good quality ddr3, get a reputable major name brand such as samsung, crucial, hynix, etc. a no name brand ram may work but reliability may be sketchy.
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
1
February 5th, 2021 16:00
Did you mean 12800 RAM, which should be faster than 12600 RAM.
Dell says this PC supports 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM. While faster RAM may work, it will clock down to 1600 MHz, regardless of its rated speed. And slower RAM will only run at its rated speed, below 1600 MHz.
Keep in mind that just because new RAM matches the OEM specs, that doesn't necessarily mean it's actually compatible.
oligopolycorp
2 Intern
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264 Posts
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February 7th, 2021 14:00
Yeah I only mentioned the gaming RAM because it looks like they're more affordable nowadays.And yes I was wondering if pc3 12800 is the best I can get for this pc.They sell many variations of pc 3 1xxxx RAM so I know now what to get. Thanks to both of you.
oligopolycorp
2 Intern
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264 Posts
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May 6th, 2021 22:00
UPDATE: I ended up getting patriot viper RAM for like 70 bux.The heatsinks were narrow enough to fit in my 3847 case.So now I have 16 GB of RAM.The only big difference is I don't get a low RAM warning in Just cause 3 .Found out shadow of the tomb raider uses about 7 GB.Just Cause was the only game that had the RAM warning.Games do run a bit smoother.Just cause 3 and shadow of the tomb raider are the biggest games I have that uses the most RAM.I think I'm good for a while on RAM. Thank You all.
RoHe
10 Elder
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45.2K Posts
0
May 7th, 2021 16:00
@oligopolycorp Glad you got it updated!
FWIW, see what unnecessary junk is loading at startup that may be hogging RAM (and CPU time) by looking on the Processes and Startup tabs in Task Manager.
Disable things that aren't essential, like Adobe and other updaters, printer managers, iTunes, etc on the Startup tab to free up extra RAM. Don't disable anything essential, like Win 10 processes, anti-malware software, video/audio software, mouse software, etc.
Anything you disable on the Startup tab will still run if you manually launch it so that's not an issue. And you can always re-enable something if you decide you want it to load at every boot.
Maybe that will make things run even better...
oligopolycorp
2 Intern
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264 Posts
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May 10th, 2021 14:00
That's a good reminder but since my Win 98 days I'm in the habit of turning things off ,etc. through task manager.Just for fun I opened 19 tabs in chrome and I didn't use more than 3.5 GB RAM.I considered playing with the services in task manager but thought better of it.My system is pretty efficient ;no updaters or unnecessary things running in the background.Also when I game that's all I do. I don't have browsers or anything open during gaming. I'm just grateful I have a good enough system for now. The graphics card and other shortages are incredible.