Does the Type of RAM Matter?

Deception

Deception

Member
Does the type of RAM I order matter? I already have... Corsair XMS2 Xtreme Performance 2x2GB DDR2.

I have two more slots open and I want to do the same thing but I am not sure what to buy off of newegg... I can't even find the exact link to what I bought originally. Can someone help me out. (I am not very good with hardware and the exact specifics of what everything does)

Sean
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
    Memory
    Corsair XMS2 Xtreme Performance 2x2GB DDR2
    Graphics card(s)
    GeForce 9800 GTX+
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19'' Samsung 1440 x 900 (2ms) SyncMaster Widescreen Flat Panel
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    PSU
    OCC Gamestream 600w
    Case
    Apevia X-Discovery
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder
    Keyboard
    Razer Lycosa
    Internet Speed
    Comcast; Download: 21.08Mb/s | Upload: 4.27Mb/s
What would be the difference between...

All
of
these
different
types
of RAM
(Each line is a different link)

How do I know which is the best out of them all?

Sean
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
    Memory
    Corsair XMS2 Xtreme Performance 2x2GB DDR2
    Graphics card(s)
    GeForce 9800 GTX+
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19'' Samsung 1440 x 900 (2ms) SyncMaster Widescreen Flat Panel
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    PSU
    OCC Gamestream 600w
    Case
    Apevia X-Discovery
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder
    Keyboard
    Razer Lycosa
    Internet Speed
    Comcast; Download: 21.08Mb/s | Upload: 4.27Mb/s
Basically, it does matter to a degree. Mismatched speed, latency and voltage requirements will lead to instability.

Is this your current RAM?:
Corsair TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 XMS2 Dominator Memory Xtreme Performance Kit with Fan CL5 2.1 V - Compare prices and product specifications.


(If that isn't your RAM, then it may be worth a physical look at your RAM. The CAS and voltage specs should be on a sticker.)

If that is your RAM, you will need to match the CAS Latency speeds and voltage specs.

Essentially you need to match your existing RAM with these specs:

PC8500 DDR2 1066mhz

CAS 5-5-5-15 at 2.1 volts

Unfortunately, none of the links you provided appeared to match your existing RAM. These are more in your spec range:

Newegg.com - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5D - Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - CORSAIR DOMINATOR-GT 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model CMG4GX2M2A1066C5 - Desktop Memory

As long as the specs are the same, It doesn't even have to be the same brand.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    i7 3770K HT ON 4.7GHz
    Motherboard
    P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 2133mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    2x Gigabyte GTX 670 OC WindForce SLI
    Sound Card
    X-FI Forte + ATH-AD900
    Monitor(s) Displays
    x2 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung / "40 Sony
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200 / 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2x Intel 520 240GB * Crucial M4 128GB * 2x Samsung F3 1TB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0)
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200W
    Case
    Lian Li PC-V1020A
    Cooling
    NH-D14: 3x140mm Gelid Wing 14: Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme
    Mouse
    Razer Imperator + Thermaltake Theron
    Keyboard
    Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine Cherry MX Black
    Other Info
    Laptop Specs: Clevo Sager P170HM // 17.3 Matte 1920x1200 // i7 2720QM // 8GB 1333mhz // Dedicated GTX 485M // 240GB Intel 520 + 750GB + Blu-Ray // Samsung Story 2TB USB 3.0
go with the more expensive one that smarteyeball suggested ;)
comes with fan.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Acer 5735z Laptop
    CPU
    2.0 ghz intel pentium dual-core processor t4200 800mhz fsb
    Motherboard
    Acer CathedralPeak Rev
    Memory
    4gb
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" HD CineCrystal LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    160gb stock drive. ATA
    Case
    Stock Notebook
    Cooling
    Stock
    Mouse
    Synaptics TouchPad
    Keyboard
    PS/2
    Internet Speed
    No idea
Hello Deception,
I may be missing something here, but, why don't you just get the same make and type of ram as you already have ?.
If you list the full specs of your memory we could try and find an exact match.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    QX9650 (black box) [email protected]
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Premium
    Memory
    8GB-4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR 2-1066
    Graphics card(s)
    2 x ASUS EAH 4870 X 2 (Quad)
    Sound Card
    Supreme FX 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Fujitsu Siemens 22inch flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    150 Gig WD Raptor 300 Gig Maxtor 300 Gig Maxtor, (External)
    PSU
    CoolerMaster 1000
    Case
    CoolerMaster N-Vidia stacker 830
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P x 1x120mm fan, 6x120mm case fans
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Internet Speed
    20Mbps
    Other Info
    Audio FX Pro 5+1 gaming head set
Can i ask another question?
what is the diff with DDR2 and 3?
Is DDR3 faster?Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8400 @ 2.66GHz
    Motherboard
    Elitegroup P43T-AD3
    Memory
    4.0GB Ram DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    GeForce 9600 GT
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Lenovo 1440 X 900 60Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    1TB

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    QX9650 (black box) [email protected]
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Premium
    Memory
    8GB-4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR 2-1066
    Graphics card(s)
    2 x ASUS EAH 4870 X 2 (Quad)
    Sound Card
    Supreme FX 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Fujitsu Siemens 22inch flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    150 Gig WD Raptor 300 Gig Maxtor 300 Gig Maxtor, (External)
    PSU
    CoolerMaster 1000
    Case
    CoolerMaster N-Vidia stacker 830
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-U12P x 1x120mm fan, 6x120mm case fans
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15
    Internet Speed
    20Mbps
    Other Info
    Audio FX Pro 5+1 gaming head set

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8400 @ 2.66GHz
    Motherboard
    Elitegroup P43T-AD3
    Memory
    4.0GB Ram DDR3
    Graphics card(s)
    GeForce 9600 GT
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Lenovo 1440 X 900 60Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    1TB
smarteyeball said:
Basically, it does matter to a degree. Mismatched speed, latency and voltage requirements will lead to instability.

Is this your current RAM?:
Corsair TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 1066MHz/PC2-8500 XMS2 Dominator Memory Xtreme Performance Kit with Fan CL5 2.1 V - Compare prices and product specifications.


(If that isn't your RAM, then it may be worth a physical look at your RAM. The CAS and voltage specs should be on a sticker.)

If that is your RAM, you will need to match the CAS Latency speeds and voltage specs.

Essentially you need to match your existing RAM with these specs:

PC8500 DDR2 1066mhz

CAS 5-5-5-15 at 2.1 volts

Unfortunately, none of the links you provided appeared to match your existing RAM. These are more in your spec range:

Newegg.com - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5D - Desktop Memory

Newegg.com - CORSAIR DOMINATOR-GT 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Desktop Memory Model CMG4GX2M2A1066C5 - Desktop Memory

As long as the specs are the same, It doesn't even have to be the same brand.
Click to expand...

I have this... RAM
Can you tell me if this is good for what my system specs are?

Sean
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
    Memory
    Corsair XMS2 Xtreme Performance 2x2GB DDR2
    Graphics card(s)
    GeForce 9800 GTX+
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19'' Samsung 1440 x 900 (2ms) SyncMaster Widescreen Flat Panel
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    PSU
    OCC Gamestream 600w
    Case
    Apevia X-Discovery
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder
    Keyboard
    Razer Lycosa
    Internet Speed
    Comcast; Download: 21.08Mb/s | Upload: 4.27Mb/s
You have a gigabyte (good choice) ep45 motherboard. Leave it at DDR2 for now. When you get a new pc get ddr3, I don't think that mobo can support ddr3.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio Z46GDU
    CPU
    [email protected] w/6MB L2 cache 1066MHz FSB
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1066MHz SDRAM
    Graphics card(s)
    9300M GS 256MB + Intel Integrated 4500MHD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.1" WXGA True Colour Tough
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    320GB SATA 7200RPM
    Internet Speed
    1MB/s
Deception said:
I have this... RAM
Can you tell me if this is good for what my system specs are?

Sean
Click to expand...

Your current Ram specs are fine, particularly if you are not overclocking your CPU.

This one is probably your best bet:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5C - Desktop Memory

The only difference being that the linked ram above runs at 1.8 volt whereas your current ram runs at 1.9v.

However there should be no problem running your existing ram at a higher voltage.

And Frostmourne is correct, your board does not support DDR3
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    i7 3770K HT ON 4.7GHz
    Motherboard
    P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 2133mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    2x Gigabyte GTX 670 OC WindForce SLI
    Sound Card
    X-FI Forte + ATH-AD900
    Monitor(s) Displays
    x2 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung / "40 Sony
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200 / 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2x Intel 520 240GB * Crucial M4 128GB * 2x Samsung F3 1TB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0)
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200W
    Case
    Lian Li PC-V1020A
    Cooling
    NH-D14: 3x140mm Gelid Wing 14: Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme
    Mouse
    Razer Imperator + Thermaltake Theron
    Keyboard
    Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine Cherry MX Black
    Other Info
    Laptop Specs: Clevo Sager P170HM // 17.3 Matte 1920x1200 // i7 2720QM // 8GB 1333mhz // Dedicated GTX 485M // 240GB Intel 520 + 750GB + Blu-Ray // Samsung Story 2TB USB 3.0

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel Q6600
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5K MBoard.
    Memory
    4G OCZ PC2 8500 Platinum
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 8800GTS Vid Card
    Hard Drives
    500G Seagate SATA 200G Seagate SATA 100G WD Caviar SATA 80G WD Caviar IDE
    PSU
    OCZ Elite 800W PSU
    Case
    RaidMax Smilodon Case
    Other Info
    Lite-On dual layer DVD burner X 2 Dos 6.2;Win2K;XP; & Vista Ultimate 64Bit.
smarteyeball said:
Deception said:
I have this... RAM
Can you tell me if this is good for what my system specs are?

Sean
Click to expand...

Your current Ram specs are fine, particularly if you are not overclocking your CPU.

This one is probably your best bet:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5C - Desktop Memory

The only difference being that the linked ram above runs at 1.8 volt whereas your current ram runs at 1.9v.

However there should be no problem running your existing ram at a higher voltage.

And Frostmourne is correct, your board does not support DDR3
Click to expand...

I really do appreciate all of you help :D (I am not a hardware geek at all, the only reason I have a custom build is because my friend told me what to buy :p)

Will this RAM that you linked be able to be placed in my extra two slots (along with the other two still running), so 8GB in total?

Sean
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
    Memory
    Corsair XMS2 Xtreme Performance 2x2GB DDR2
    Graphics card(s)
    GeForce 9800 GTX+
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19'' Samsung 1440 x 900 (2ms) SyncMaster Widescreen Flat Panel
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    PSU
    OCC Gamestream 600w
    Case
    Apevia X-Discovery
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder
    Keyboard
    Razer Lycosa
    Internet Speed
    Comcast; Download: 21.08Mb/s | Upload: 4.27Mb/s
Deception said:
Will this RAM that you linked be able to be placed in my extra two slots (along with the other two still running), so 8GB in total?
Click to expand...

Yes :) That is why matching the specs to your current RAM is important. Otherwise you could have problems ranging from occasional crashes right up to the PC failing to start.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    i7 3770K HT ON 4.7GHz
    Motherboard
    P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 2133mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    2x Gigabyte GTX 670 OC WindForce SLI
    Sound Card
    X-FI Forte + ATH-AD900
    Monitor(s) Displays
    x2 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung / "40 Sony
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200 / 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    2x Intel 520 240GB * Crucial M4 128GB * 2x Samsung F3 1TB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0)
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200W
    Case
    Lian Li PC-V1020A
    Cooling
    NH-D14: 3x140mm Gelid Wing 14: Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme
    Mouse
    Razer Imperator + Thermaltake Theron
    Keyboard
    Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine Cherry MX Black
    Other Info
    Laptop Specs: Clevo Sager P170HM // 17.3 Matte 1920x1200 // i7 2720QM // 8GB 1333mhz // Dedicated GTX 485M // 240GB Intel 520 + 750GB + Blu-Ray // Samsung Story 2TB USB 3.0
smarteyeball said:
Deception said:
Will this RAM that you linked be able to be placed in my extra two slots (along with the other two still running), so 8GB in total?
Click to expand...

Yes :) That is why matching the specs to your current RAM is important. Otherwise you could have problems ranging from occasional crashes right up to the PC failing to start.
Click to expand...

Alright well thanks so much! I will be ordering this RAM this weekend! Along with Windows 7 :p

Sean
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
    Memory
    Corsair XMS2 Xtreme Performance 2x2GB DDR2
    Graphics card(s)
    GeForce 9800 GTX+
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19'' Samsung 1440 x 900 (2ms) SyncMaster Widescreen Flat Panel
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    PSU
    OCC Gamestream 600w
    Case
    Apevia X-Discovery
    Mouse
    Razer DeathAdder
    Keyboard
    Razer Lycosa
    Internet Speed
    Comcast; Download: 21.08Mb/s | Upload: 4.27Mb/s
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