Core i7 and Games, Memory Testing 6GB vs 3GB [Archive]

Yellowbeard

11-17-2008, 10:25 AM

Back in April 2008 we tested 4GB vs 2GB. Now that the Core i7 memory offerings are different, we did more testing with 6GB vs 3GB. We got very similar results. Vista with 3GB on i7 is good but 6GB is much better.

APPLICATION NOTE 811 (http://www.corsairmemory.com/appnotes/default.aspx)

shoopdawoopa

11-17-2008, 09:06 PM

When will the i7 dominator ram be released?

MomijiTMO

11-17-2008, 09:09 PM

Thanks for the link!

Yellowbeard

11-18-2008, 10:40 AM

When will the i7 dominator ram be released?

It already is released and is showing up at retailers.

Cyrus_the_Virus

11-26-2008, 05:08 PM

I had a question about this. If I were to use 2 3gb triple channel kits would i get the same/better/worse performance than just using a 6gb triple channel kit?

slim142

11-26-2008, 05:20 PM

I guess people with i7 should think twice about the RAM now. A little more money could bring you a performance boost.

chouchou

11-26-2008, 08:11 PM

agreed. if you're going to shell out ~600 for mobo/cpu already might as well throw in the extra 200 for a nice 6gb kit..

goneblowitup

01-18-2009, 02:32 AM

I had a question about this. If I were to use 2 3gb triple channel kits would i get the same/better/worse performance than just using a 6gb triple channel kit?

I had the same question...anyone?

Envy

01-18-2009, 03:52 AM

I had a question about this. If I were to use 2 3gb triple channel kits would i get the same/better/worse performance than just using a 6gb triple channel kit?

id like to know also, i think its worse then a single 6gb kit or same

ReverendMaynard

01-18-2009, 08:53 AM

of course Corsair is going to tell people to spend more money lol. Is this a joke?

Marco André

01-18-2009, 09:02 AM

Mike, great article. Thanks for sharing :up:

Klarko

01-18-2009, 10:08 AM

For those who read it.. do you think its worth the price premium from the jump from 3Gb to 6?

Yellowbeard

01-18-2009, 10:27 AM

I had a question about this. If I were to use 2 3gb triple channel kits would i get the same/better/worse performance than just using a 6gb triple channel kit?

If the memory will run at the same voltage and latencies, it does not matter if you bought it in kits of 2 or 3 or even singles if you could find them. The performance would be virtually identical depending upon the IC characteristics of the ICs used in each kit. As with the kits made for dual channel boards, the difference is that the i7 kits are tested in X58 MOBOs and guaranteed to run the rated speed and timings at the rated voltage.

CCC

01-21-2009, 11:11 AM

Some boards when all ram slots are filled ie:1,1,1,1,1,1gig for 6gig the board drops command rate and other latencys so you would infact be better of with 2,2,2gig or a 6gig kit for optimal performance yes. Also this way you can upgrade better later on.

If that was your question :)

ether.real

01-24-2009, 12:58 AM

While there is no doubt some advantage to using 6GB over 3GB, some of the claims made in the testing is ludicrous.

Yellowbeard

01-28-2009, 12:01 PM

While there is no doubt some advantage to using 6GB over 3GB, some of the claims made in the testing is ludicrous.

No, actually they are not. Test it for yourself or bring something to the table. :up:

ChaosAD

01-29-2009, 06:15 AM

I would like to ask something different. I can find 1600c8, 1800c8 even 2000c8 and 2000c7 6gb kits avaiulable for my new i7 setup. Prices ofc vary from 250 euro up to 520 euro for the 2000c7 kit. Do u think there will be any actual performance increase for every day usage/gaming? I dont need for benching.

Yellowbeard

01-29-2009, 09:57 AM

If you are not a hardcore bench mark or OCing person, 1600C8 is a great choice. And if you are gaming, 6GB is the better option.

ChaosAD

01-29-2009, 10:54 AM

6Gb kit is certain. I would just like to know if i could sqeeze some more performance by installing a better than 1600 kit memory kit.

Btw there is some difference between hardcore bencher and hardcore overclocker. I m trying to be the second one :rolleyes:

YukonTrooper

01-29-2009, 12:09 PM

I would LOVE to see a 3GB x86 XP vs 6GB x64 Vista comparison.

kevikev

01-29-2009, 12:13 PM

How about with 12GB? Not that I think it would make much difference over 6GB.

ReverendMaynard

01-30-2009, 12:04 PM

No, actually they are not. Test it for yourself or bring something to the table. :up:

coming soon, but with more games and no ambition to sell a product.

I would LOVE to see a 3GB x86 XP vs 6GB x64 Vista comparison.

How would 3gb Vista 32 vs 6bg Vista 64 sound? We want to use DX10 where applicable.

YukonTrooper

01-30-2009, 04:16 PM

How would 3gb Vista 32 vs 6bg Vista 64 sound? We want to use DX10 where applicable.
Honestly? I wouldn't be interested, but I can't speak for others. I don't mean to sound like an ass, but I'm sure you understand where I'm coming from. Kind of hard to correlate Vista 32-bit to XP, even if they are using the same microprocessor architecture.

ReverendMaynard

01-31-2009, 07:59 AM

Honestly? I wouldn't be interested, but I can't speak for others. I don't mean to sound like an ass, but I'm sure you understand where I'm coming from. Kind of hard to correlate Vista 32-bit to XP, even if they are using the same microprocessor architecture.

To be honest, I don't know where you're coming from.

You have to drop DX10 with XP, and that would seriously be a lame comparison with Vista 64bit running DX10. I could see an XP64b vs. Vista64b comparison, but not in gaming.

benko

01-31-2009, 09:36 AM

do you know how far can go with oc corsair dominator 1600mhz 3x2gb??

YukonTrooper

01-31-2009, 11:39 AM

To be honest, I don't know where you're coming from.

You have to drop DX10 with XP, and that would seriously be a lame comparison with Vista 64bit running DX10. I could see an XP64b vs. Vista64b comparison, but not in gaming.
DX9 vs DX9, but I understand if you're stuck on DX10.

ether.real

02-01-2009, 05:03 PM

DX9 vs DX9, but I understand if you're stuck on DX10.

The only correct testing methodology is to only change one variable. In this case, the variable in question is 3GB vs. 6GB. It only makes sense to use Vista 64 for this.

If you want to add more variables, then you have to schmoo the results and the amount of testing increases exponentially.

ether.real

02-07-2009, 09:04 PM

Stickied, eh? Things are about to get very interesting.

ReverendMaynard

02-09-2009, 08:58 AM

Hehe, soon people will realize that when a manufacturer posts results they aren't necessarily for the consumers best interest.

YukonTrooper

02-09-2009, 12:13 PM

The only correct testing methodology is to only change one variable. In this case, the variable in question is 3GB vs. 6GB. It only makes sense to use Vista 64 for this.

If you want to add more variables, then you have to schmoo the results and the amount of testing increases exponentially.
Yup, no disagreement there. It was just an idea tossed out into the open.

Yellowbeard

02-18-2009, 07:53 AM

do you know how far can go with oc corsair dominator 1600mhz 3x2gb??

I have personally run 3 different sets during testing. They all clocked to the 1750 - 1800 range at 1.65v, CAS8. No guarantee of course that every kit will do this but, they are pretty consistent.

Yellowbeard

03-05-2009, 04:22 PM

Most of the C8D kits I have seen topped out between 1750 and 1800. But, there are no guarantees of course as some kits will vary and also it varies from CPU to CPU dependent upon the memory controller.

Tycun

09-09-2009, 01:49 PM

Here is the trues

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/64-bit-vista-gaming,2250-8.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-module-upgrade,2264.html

http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1746/3gb_vs_6gb_memory_performance_analysis_on_x58/index.html
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews.php?/memory/3gb_6gb_or_12gb_investigated/1

azcrazy

02-06-2010, 10:36 PM

hey guys i just bough this kit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145255 , would i see abig difference , from my other kit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145222 ( i will post both kits from newegg)

YukonTrooper

02-07-2010, 02:45 AM

azcrazy

02-07-2010, 09:45 PM

A difference in what? Applications and gaming? None at all.

really? dam .

Well i have ram for 2 more builds :yepp:

Mathemagician

02-08-2010, 03:58 AM

Hehe, soon people will realize that when a manufacturer posts results they aren't necessarily for the consumers best interest.

You appear to be completely objective and free of all bias. I'm looking forward to your results, as it will be quite valuable to see testing done by someone without an agenda.