16GB, 32GB, etc. What is best?

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This has probably been asked a plethora of times, but I need some help here. I am up to the part of purchasing RAM for my rig. I am kicking myself if it is worth the extra 100$ or so to buy 32GB of DDR3-2666 RAM. Right now, I am stuck between 16gb and 32gb. I wouldn't mind paying 300$ for 32GB of RAM, but it will only be DDR3-2400 or 2133. If I wanted 2666 DDR3- it would be a whopping 404$...but is it worth it?

I am currently a Graphic Design student so I have photoshop running all day, or even indesign/illustrator. I know those applications are RAM hungry, so I am wondering if it is best to opt into 32GB territory. I am aiming towards a workstation/gaming hybrid build if that makes sense. I want the best gaming performance, while having the best application intensive performance too. What RAM would be the best in my case?

If it is 32GB, what is the golden number for which numbers don't matter anymore such as DDR3-2666,2400,2133 etc. Also, what is the sweet spot for PC3?

If it is 16GB, same applies to what I said above. What number is the sweet spot? If I end up purchasing 16GB, of course I can upgrade it, but I want to know if I can actually start my rig up without a hassle while doing some application intensive tasks.

Thanks!!!
 
Solution
Someone Somewhere
Generally, there's little speed boost from going above DDR3-1600 or DDR3-1866.

16GB is usually plenty for what you're doing, but if you find it's not enough, it's easy to upgrade. Just make sure you get 2x8GB not 4x4GB.
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Oh no, I care about the money that is why I am asking. If I save 100$ that's 100$ I can put into another component. I purchase on average 1 part per month haha
 
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JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

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Right now 2400 (4.17ns) is the sweet spot and anything higher just didn't have a worthy ROI. 2400 is only slightly more expensive than 1833 and 1600 is getting scarce. I'll use the Trident X series as an example cause they're all in stock.....started with Mushkin but newegg all sold out again.

1866 CAS 9 - $186 (4.82ns)
2133 CAS 9 - $179 (4.22ns)
2400 CAS 10 - $189 (4.17ns)
2666 CAS 12 - $205 (4.50ns)
2666 CAS 11 - $270 (4.13ns)


Seems silly to say I'll stick with 1866 to save money when 2400 is just $3 more. While the average fps in gaming won't change much as you go to higher speeds, it's the minimum speed .... those nagging stutters .... that faster memory helps with .... and while 3-5% increase might considered minor, $3 on a $3k system is 0.15% is stil an ROU of 20 to 1 at minimum.

But RAM speed does have a big impact on PhotoShop, Premier and other Adobe programs which is where you will see a noticeable difference.

Note that actually getting above 2400 can also depend on having a decent MoBo with good power regulation a nice CPU and even PSU with stable voltages.

As for whether 16GB or 32GB is worth it ..... worth it to do what ? If you are using PhotoShop / Illustrator, how much RAM is the system using now ? Have you looked at task manager while you are running these programs ..... if it says you are using 6GB, then the answer to your question would be no..... if you are using 13GB, the answer would be perhaps.....if it's always pegged, then the answer would be yes.

On the other hand, having 4 memory modules instead of 2 means that your CPU will work harder and may have trouble running at the same voltages or with the same DRAM timings. You may even have to dial back your CPU OC with 4 modules.
 
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realbenny

realbenny

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Jun 29, 2013
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Do you really think 4 against 2 modules have such high impact?
 
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realbenny

realbenny

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Thanks for the answer
 
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Intel i7 4770k
 
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Also, the Mobo I will be using is a Z87 Oc Formula/ac. When I go to PC Parts Picker, it tells me that RAM running at 1.65v will be scaled down to 1.575 because of Haswell and what not. Is that true, and if so, what will happen? Can I actually damage my RAM sticks?
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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When you first install DRAM the mobo boots it to the mobos default which is 1333 1.5 and all DRAM that's 1600 and higher can run 1333, they have the needed info for optimal settings at 1333 programmed into their SPD, to then use it at it's full spec freq you can either set them up manually or the easy way is simply to enable XMP and select profile 1, that way the BIOS sets the sticks up for you (and with 2133 and up 1.6 and 1.65 DRAM is perfectly safe
 
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Even when it says

"Memory operating voltage of 1.65V exceeds the Intel Haswell CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum."

???

Also, would I need a RAM stick that supports XMP for 4th gen intel chips?
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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the 1.5 is based on the CPU at stock running native 1600 sticks, i.e. don't use 1.6-1.65 sticks at the rated freq (1600), as far as XMP, the current spec is Ver 1.3, but both DRAM and BIOSs are backward compatible to ver 1.2, so no you have no need need for anything advertised as being specifically for Gen 4 CPUs, that's more a marketing thing
 
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