Important RAM features?

OK... so I'm looking into a possible RAM upgrade sometime in the future, and thought I'd just get some advice first:

How would you rank the importance of RAM characteristics?

IE, timings, latency, clockspeed, amount, etc... what's most important for say... optimizing speed? Would you say that lower timings is more important than faster clockspeeds of RAM? Where does latency fit in? Etc...

Your thoughts, anyone?

 

My ranking would be:

1. Size of RAM (4GB > 2GB >> 1GB)
2. Speed
3. Timings

 

Usually Pc5300 memory comes with a CAS Latency of 5 or a CAS latency of 6.
If you were to have a 2Gb kit of each CAS memory, you would notice absolutely no difference in performance between the two memory kits.

The speed of the memory doesnt really matter either since the memory can scale at different speeds, and run at different multi with the FSB. So memory can run say 3/4 or something along those lines.
The amount of memory is usually what matters the most.
Using memory rated at the speeds your laptop chipset can support is also a must.
You cannot install DDR3 memory in a DDR2 laptop and you cant install DDR2 memory in a DDR Laptop, and you surely cannot install DDR3 memory in a DDR laptop.

K-TRON

 

Hmm... maybe I should have specified an example:

From newegg.ca, currently:

I see DDR3-1066 ram with a latency of 7, timings 7-7-7-20
There is also DDR3-1333 ram with a latency of 9, 9-9-9-24.

In such a case... does the increased speed of the RAM more than compensate for slower timings? Or are the timings more important, so the speed increase between the RAM types is negligible?

 

QFT I agree, though 2 is very close to one as if its too slow, then it can end up bottlenecking your processor.

As far as your example, thats probably a toss up, as the performance difference would be negligible in that scenario. If you had to choose between those to sets, I would suggest whichever is cheaper ( probably the 1066mhz ).

 

Hmm... so that cheap 2GB stick on newegg isn't really as "cheap" as I thought it would be. Good to know. Seems as though there should be DDR3-1333 sticks with timings of 7's... so that ram is probably some old stuff. :|

I'll probably wait at least a year before I upgrade my RAM then...

...anyone happen to know what the limit is on RAM installable on a Z? XD
As in... clockspeed limits of the RAM... or anything. Pretty sure there's only two slots though, and that's it's DDR3 SODIMM only.

 

4GB is probably the max, thought since your using a 32-bit ( as noted in sig ) OS, you can only use up to about 3.5GB anyway. Also, DDR3 ram for laptops is fairly new and I wouldnt really be surprised if timings were still that loose.

 

Yea, I know. However, I can switch freely between 32bit and 64bit as long as I don't change what version of Vista I use right?

I can't see myself using more than 4GB ever... I only use like... 60% of 2GB most of the time. Amounts don't totally concern me, but the speed does (I rather the RAM not be the bottleneck of my system, but I don't think that'll ever happen with DDR3 RAM... XD).

I was just trying to figure out my priorities... as you can see... I invested in a really shoddy HDD on my laptop, and am probably going to be buying a 2nd Desktop HDD for backup, and am also planning on replacing my 1st gen PS3's 60GB HDD with something epic. So more than likely... HDD upgrades all around first.

It's nice to know my current RAM isn't a total piece of crap... and that it can probably hang on for at least a year or so.

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

The processors available for your system can only run at 1066MHz, so even if you had 1333Mhz memory, the memory would either run at 1066Mhz or it would run 1333Mhz with a 5/4 FSB bus ratio.
Their really will not be any difference in performance if the 1333Mhz memory is running at 1333Mhz.
If the 1333Mhz memory downclocks to 1066Mhz speed, the CAS latency will drop to the same latencies that the standard 1066Mhz memory runs at.
So basically you are spending more money for the higher clocked memory when they will run the same speed.

K-TRON

 

There is only one important thing about memory: lifetime warranty (from a reputable company). Just get the amount of memory you need given the price. Latency, speed, etc makes no difference really. Just be aware of the limitations of your chipset and whether you are overclocking.

 

Really? I didn't know that. So since the CPU is probably unupgradable... or if I OC the FSB (...which I likely will not, I like my temps as they are... unless I can pull off an undervolt+OC like my friend did on his desktop ), I should just stick with DDR3-1066 RAM.

Thanks!

+rep

 

Stick with the 1066Mhz DDR3 memory, it will be fine.
Just go for a brand which offers a good warranty, like crucial, g.Skill, Patriot, corsair, ocz and you will be fine

K-TRON