4GB vs 6GB RAM

Rostock · May 8th, 2009, 12:56 PM

Hey, I just bought some Corsair 2x2GB XMS2 ram to replace my 2x1gb XMS2 ram.

The new RAM runs at C5 whereas the old RAM runs at C4

So two questions:

Do I keep the 6GB or sell the 2GB? I could really do with the money, but it won't be that much, so if there's any kind of improvement I would probably stick with the 6GB.

Second, is there much real difference between C4 and C5? Because the old ram is 4-4-4-12 and the new stuff is 5-5-5-18. I can't seem to get my new ram to change timings either, as I've set the timings in the BIOS and it only affects the old stuff.

Cheers

pullmyfoot · May 8th, 2009, 01:00 PM

6GB? where did that appear from. I thought you were talking about 2 and 4 gigs. Anyways 6 gigs is only applicable to i7 based systems.

As for C4 and C5, there is very little difference. At least not as much difference that you would need to make a big fuss out of it. We're talking about something like around 1% more speed maybe, and that is only in very specific applications.

Rostock · May 8th, 2009, 01:02 PM

6GB is leaving all the ram in (i.e. 2x2gb and 2x1gb)

So the question is, do I take the 2x1gb out or leave it in?

pullmyfoot · May 8th, 2009, 01:04 PM

Oh. Sorry I didnt really read properly

Well anyways, I don't see why you cant leave all your ram in. However, most of the time it will make absolutely no difference unless you use some apps that can really make use of 6 gigs (like some really high end gaming with huge resolutions of workstation-class programs like 3D rendering and video editing).. Most people find it hard to use even 4 gigs.. At least for now. However, since you already have it and it works I don't see why you shouldnt keep it. Besides it will come in useful as time passes and programs get bigger. The only reason I would sell it is if you really needed the money.

Rostock · May 8th, 2009, 01:11 PM

Well the 2x1gb goes for as much as £25 on ebay, and my 2x2gb only cost me £35. I'll have a think about it though. I'm a student, so every penny counts atm!

pullmyfoot · May 8th, 2009, 01:18 PM

Well then I dont see why you shouldnt sell it

.

KarmaKiller · May 8th, 2009, 07:53 PM

I say you go into your bios, adjust all the RAM manually to Cas 5, and keep it all. Just because it's rated for CAS 4, doesn't mean you have to run it at that. You can run it at CAS 5 with no issues more then likely.

Rostock · May 8th, 2009, 10:45 PM

Any advantages to running them all at C5? Because atm I have the timings set at C4 but it only works for the 2x1GB.

And is C4 really any faster than C5?

KarmaKiller · May 8th, 2009, 10:57 PM

A little, but you can really only tell in benchmarks.

pullmyfoot · May 9th, 2009, 12:55 AM

Yep, as I said, the difference is going to be so minute you will not notice anything