Need Advice on eBay RAM

Flamo on 01/03/2018 - 09:14

Hi all,

I'm looking at putting some more ram in my computer, as at the moment I have 2x4gb sticks of some old Micron stuff. I've found one lot on eBay that looks OK to my untrained eye, and certainly meets the budget, but not sure if it's dodgy or not. There's a visual difference between the 2 sets of 2 but I don't know if that's just a redesign of the same product, or indicative of something else.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/G-SKILL-RIPJAW-RAM-DDR3-12800-4X…

What's the verdict? For 16gb this seems pretty good but I don't want to get it if it's going to suck. I'll mainly be using the computer for Illustrator but also a bit of light gaming.

My motherboard is an Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ if that helps.

Cheers and happy Thursday!

Computing

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 01/03/2018 - 09:21
    -7

    Not sure sorry not a ram expert only rom expert

    [Deactivated] on 01/03/2018 - 09:21 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • dogboy on 01/03/2018 - 09:43
      +5

      Why comment if you don't have anything useful to add?

      • [Deactivated] on 01/03/2018 - 09:55
        -3

        You didn’t add any value either, why comment?

        • o53djz7qTPY4der on 01/03/2018 - 10:01
          +3

          Literally every thread opened this person has something unhelpful and useless to say.

          I'd say they're some loser kid whose day is spent in front of a screen wishing they had a friend.

        • [Deactivated] on 01/03/2018 - 10:02
          -2

          @Xiongmao:
          You would be 109% correct

        • Ryanek on 01/03/2018 - 10:22
          +1

          @Xiongmao: Trolls like him thrive on all the negativity. Best not to feed it.

  • altomic on 01/03/2018 - 09:28
    +3

    if you have 2 * 4gb sticks then why would you buy 4 * 4gb sticks when you only need 2 more ?!?!?!

    do you have a SSD installed?

    • foxmulder on 01/03/2018 - 09:48
      +3

      Yes to this. SSD will make your system performancr way better.

    • Flamo on 01/03/2018 - 12:08

      I wasn't sure if I got 2 new sticks they would play nicely with the 2 already in there. I know there's speed/voltage/etc to consider but have no idea if that's even relevant in modern computers.

      The sticks that are in there at the moment are 2x PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM Micron Tech 4GB. I suppose if I can find two more of them that would work. But I don't know how good this RAM is either which is another reason I was considering replacing them.

      I don't have an SSD installed unfortunately but I'm on the lookout for one of those as well, just waiting for a good deal!

      The CPU has been upgraded recently to a FX-6300, which I know is not a top-notch bit of kit but it's what was in the budget. I'm hoping to upgrade the GPU at some point as well to a 1050ti or similar, but it seems like GPUs and RAM at the moment are expensive.

      • scrimshaw on 01/03/2018 - 12:17

        just waiting for a good deal!

        There are good deals out there. You might have missed this one

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/363386

        Go ahead and buy an SSD first. SSD's are easily transferable from one computer to another, since they're all SATA3 they are universally compatible with any PC/ laptop.

        If the SSD upgrade gives you the speed upgrade you wanted, maybe just leave it at that, and then consider buying a new CPU / RAM / Motherboard if you can save up another $500 dollars.

        PC3-10600 DDR3 is basically 1333mhz RAM, so that's what you should search for if you want to add more to your system without having to remove the existing modules. Buying a kit of RAM that is faster will cause your system to underclock the faster kit to match the slower ones.

        Mixing RAM types can still be a lottery though and there's a small chance your system may not boot — this all depends on the motherboards BIOS and firmware.

        • Flamo on 09/03/2018 - 20:45

          I ended up skipping the ram upgrade for now and getting a 500gb 850 Evo from a guy on gumtree. He posted screens of all the tests and it looks to be in good condition, only lightly used. On its way to me now, looking forward to it!

      • Beanvee on 01/03/2018 - 12:21

        In RAM mismatch situations the faster RAM will just run at the slower RAM's settings.

  • dogboy on 01/03/2018 - 09:47
    +1

    Personally I would never buy RAM second hand. RAM often fails over time and there is a possibility that these sticks were overclocked which could impact their life. What kind of CPU cooler do you have? Could it get in the way of the heatsink fins on this RAM at all? Just some things to consider.

    • Flamo on 01/03/2018 - 12:11

      Good tip, I didn't consider the RAM might be on its last legs! I think I'll avoid it.

      The CPU cooler is just the stock one that came with the CPU (FX6300), nothing huge or special.

      • Butt Scratcher on 01/03/2018 - 17:14
        +1

        That's not true at all. Why do you reckon basically all manufacturers offer lifetime warranties on rams?

        HINT: It isn't because they 'often fail'.

        In fact, ram is one of the last components you would expect to fail in a computer. So if you had to take a gamble on 2nd hand computer components, rams are your best bet. So I wouldn't worry about failing rams if I were you, if you see a good price on rams, just buy it

        • dogboy on 01/03/2018 - 21:24
          +1

          GSkill do offer limited lifetime warranty on DRAM modules to the original purchaser. But Butt Scratcher, you must have had a dream run of ram modules if you think that. I have had as least as many ram failures as gpu/MB failures over the last 20 years of building pcs. It one of the first things i will check for/cycle if I hear someone is having certain issues with their pc.

        • tonyjzx on 01/03/2018 - 22:00

          That hasnt been my experience. You must be getting consistent shit ram because I can count on maybe 2 hands the amount of ram failures i've had and this would include literally thousands of laptops desktops and servers.

        • Butt Scratcher on 01/03/2018 - 22:02

          @dogboy: Oh it's not just me who thinks that, the general consensus seems to be that way, so I guess most of us had had dream runs.

          There's a very good reason why most manufacturers offer lifetime warranties, and it's not because they're feeling generous. But rather, because they reckon it's going to last a very long time. You don't see that with other pc components, ever

        • dogboy on 01/03/2018 - 22:22

          @Butt Scratcher: I guess that means me and my friends have just had bad luck with ram :(

        • mattyman on 02/03/2018 - 11:28

          I've never had bad RAM and I've been building my own PC's for ~25 years. Dream run here.

    • akaakmdm on 01/03/2018 - 17:53

      I've never had a RAM stick fail. I've had coolers, PSU's, hard drives and motherboards fall apart, but never RAM. As Butt Scratcher said, most manufacturers have a lifetime warranty on RAM.

  • Ryanek on 01/03/2018 - 10:24
    +1

    This is a list of compatible memory for that motherboard. Best start there.

  • scrimshaw on 01/03/2018 - 11:54
    +2

    that memory is basically a 2x kit of DDR3 PC12800 4GB with1600Mhz clock, latency of 9-9-9-24-2N

    It's pretty standard DDR3 memory and should work with most AM3+ boards, including yours.

    Gaming performance is all about GPU + CPU, make sure you have something fairly modern and you should be good to go.

    Don't spend too much on DDR3 memory, since DDR3 is nowadays no longer used on newer platforms. Consider saving up for a 8th gen Intel or Zen+

    Extra CPU cores makes a huge difference to a lot of synthetic tasks.

    • Flamo on 01/03/2018 - 12:09

      The GPU is definitely dragging me down at the moment, it's just a HD7750 limping along. The CPU is an FX6300 which I'm happy with.

      I think I'll avoid this lot of RAM as @dogboy mentioned, it could be in pretty poor condition and I'd have no way of knowing.

  • HeWhoKnows on 04/03/2018 - 14:42
    +1

    You need to work out what RAM you need. usually buying from an Aussie selling is a safe proposition. The feedback score for this seller is not bad if you check the specific comments. But in one negative feedback comment he calls the buyer a LIAR. Very unprofessional. This seller also does not state if your RAM has been tested or working or not. Postage is also very steep. Should only be $8.50. Maybe move onto another seller.

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