6GB Memory vs 12GB Memory

[waynezo]

Other than for CAD is there really a need for 12GB memory. Does it help with overclocking?

[#43 fan]

No, 6 GB of RAM should be more than enough. The speed of the memory is most important when overclocking, not the actual amount.

[osprey4]

It's more for bragging rights.

[bigBonehead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by #43 fan

The speed of the memory is most important when overclocking, not the actual amount.

And FSB speed

[RamonGTP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigBonehead

And FSB speed

Except that if you're debating between 6 or 12gb, you're more than likely working with an i7 setup which does not have a FSB.

[bigBonehead]

FSB (Frontside Bus) Definition

[RamonGTP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigBonehead

FSB (Frontside Bus) Definition

The Ultimate Intel Core i7 Memory Performance Guide - TechSpot

It doesn't have a FSB. It's a memory bus. Infact, what you are referring to isn't even the memory bus, but merely a reference clock.

The FSB connects the processor to the chipset directly and then the chipset does the rest of the work talking to the memory and other components, then the data is fed back through the FSB and the processor. It doesn't work that way with i5 or i7. The FSB does not, or did it ever directly connect the CPU to memory or AGP or PCI.

You can have an "FSB" on an I7 of 250 or 500 but if your memory speed and cpu speed remains the same through multipliers, performance will remain exactly the same, that's because that "fsb" you're playing with to OC is not an FSB at all, it's simply a reference clock which all the other components that do matter derive their clocks from. There is no performance associated with it directly.

[bigBonehead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamonGTP

Except that if you're debating between 6 or 12gb, you're more than likely working with an i7 setup which does not have a FSB.

You are correct about i7... but isn't it an assumption on your part to think that's the CPU?

[RamonGTP]

Yes, it is an assumption, I clearly stated "more than likely working with an I7" in my original post, so didn't make an absolute statement, to which you replied with a defination of FSB which makes it pretty obvious you are (or were) under the impression that I7 has a FSB.

Either way, my original post was fine. Both in terms of taking into consideration that it MAY not be an I7 and with the whole FSB thing. But hey, at least now we have a link to a not quite so accurate defination of a technology that won't exist in mainstream processors once Core2's are phased out. (AMD hasn't used one for years)

[smithy42]

12GB of RAM is pretty much overkill for 99% of computer usage. The money you'd spend buying that much RAM could be better spent on other areas that would be your actual bottlenecks -- such as swapping out a 7200rpm hard drive with a solid state one.