On todays i7 X58 chipset systems, I believe the typical setup is 6GB - 12GB of RAM.
Most users just stick with 6GB, which is plenty, unless you are a hardcore gaming/performance enthusiast. Just get another 3GB (3x 1GB) to fill the remaining 3 slots on your system and it should be good for a while.
To keep the RAM system operating in tri-channel mode, you should keep the installed DIMMs in multiples of 3. Optimally, all DIMMs should match exactly, but it's usually OK if the second bank is a different brand as long as the specs match exactly (or at least really close). So, your total memory choices are 3, 6, 12, 24.
I wanted to future proof my system a bit (but not spend a lot) so I bought it with 6x2=12gb DDR3-1333mhz . For Virtual-PC and Gaming, 6gb would have likely been fine, but 12gb is better (and the price was right). I plan on using this system for 3 years before passing-it-down.
According to your usage description, a total of 6gb will likely be fine (but it's your choice). I doubt you can match the existing DIMMs exactly (brand, model, etc.) so www.crucial.com comes to mind. The prices are good and the recommended memory seems to work fine in OEM systems (even when mixing brands).
For gaming 6gb is just as good as 12g of the same speed. You really only want 12gb+ for professional applications. For gaming 6gb is more then enough..for now anyway. You will not see any kind of performance gain adding 6bg more. Speed is what matters.
If I was you I would buy 6gb of faster memory before I would by 3 more sticks of the 1333. In gaming speed trumps size when compairing say 6gb 1600mhz vs 12gb 1333mhz. For something like video encoding and graphic design work then go for the 12gb or more option. For gaming 6gb is the sweet spot. Grab yourself some 1600 or 1866 memory and you will gain a few more FPS and speed up your system.
The way I look at it is why spend $100-$300 dollors for something that will give no performance gain when you can spend it on something else that can.
I think it's partly correct that 6gb is fine for games.
I got mine for 3D modelling purposes so I went straight for the 12gb of 1600mhz RAM as I often used to run out quite quickly with 4 on my last machine (running 3DS Max plus often a graphics app in the background).
I think you also need to look at the current trend in games (if that is your big ask of your machine) and where the games of tomorrow will be headed. How long you expect to be using your computer for is also something to think about and whether you'd rather upgrade it later or have it ready for the future when it's delivered to your door (of course price also factors in there too).
m3th0d1c4l
265 Posts
0
October 28th, 2010 13:00
On todays i7 X58 chipset systems, I believe the typical setup is 6GB - 12GB of RAM.
Most users just stick with 6GB, which is plenty, unless you are a hardcore gaming/performance enthusiast. Just get another 3GB (3x 1GB) to fill the remaining 3 slots on your system and it should be good for a while.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
October 28th, 2010 14:00
Yes, on the Aurora -X58 there are 6 slots.
To keep the RAM system operating in tri-channel mode, you should keep the installed DIMMs in multiples of 3. Optimally, all DIMMs should match exactly, but it's usually OK if the second bank is a different brand as long as the specs match exactly (or at least really close). So, your total memory choices are 3, 6, 12, 24.
I wanted to future proof my system a bit (but not spend a lot) so I bought it with 6x2=12gb DDR3-1333mhz . For Virtual-PC and Gaming, 6gb would have likely been fine, but 12gb is better (and the price was right). I plan on using this system for 3 years before passing-it-down.
According to your usage description, a total of 6gb will likely be fine (but it's your choice). I doubt you can match the existing DIMMs exactly (brand, model, etc.) so www.crucial.com comes to mind. The prices are good and the recommended memory seems to work fine in OEM systems (even when mixing brands).
morblore
2 Intern
•
2.4K Posts
0
October 29th, 2010 00:00
For gaming 6gb is just as good as 12g of the same speed. You really only want 12gb+ for professional applications. For gaming 6gb is more then enough..for now anyway. You will not see any kind of performance gain adding 6bg more. Speed is what matters.
If I was you I would buy 6gb of faster memory before I would by 3 more sticks of the 1333. In gaming speed trumps size when compairing say 6gb 1600mhz vs 12gb 1333mhz. For something like video encoding and graphic design work then go for the 12gb or more option. For gaming 6gb is the sweet spot. Grab yourself some 1600 or 1866 memory and you will gain a few more FPS and speed up your system.
The way I look at it is why spend $100-$300 dollors for something that will give no performance gain when you can spend it on something else that can.
Here is a review from Tom's Hardware. It is from april of 2009 but it still holds true today. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-module-upgrade,2264.html
Starmage
2 Intern
•
129 Posts
0
October 29th, 2010 00:00
I think it's partly correct that 6gb is fine for games.
I got mine for 3D modelling purposes so I went straight for the 12gb of 1600mhz RAM as I often used to run out quite quickly with 4 on my last machine (running 3DS Max plus often a graphics app in the background).
I think you also need to look at the current trend in games (if that is your big ask of your machine) and where the games of tomorrow will be headed. How long you expect to be using your computer for is also something to think about and whether you'd rather upgrade it later or have it ready for the future when it's delivered to your door (of course price also factors in there too).