Computers & Electronics

DDR3 1600 vs DDR3 1333

  • Last Updated:
  • Mar 27th, 2013 12:28 am
Tags:
None
Deal Guru
User avatar
Mar 28, 2006
12225 posts
2957 upvotes

DDR3 1600 vs DDR3 1333

Hi, I am debating whether to get 2x8GB DDR3L-1600 CL11 or mix of 4GB and 8GB DDR3-1333 CL9 (p-dual-channel). Two quick questions:

1) Will I see any real-life difference between DDR3 1600 CL11 vs DDR3 1333 CL9?

2) The PC has Sandybridge chipset, so there is no difference to get 1.35V or 1.5V as it will step up to 1.5V anyway, right?

I am leaning to 4GB+8GB DDR3-1333 as I don't think I will need 16GB DDR3L-1666, unless there is signficant advantage for 2x16GB. Cost per GB is about the same. PC in question is Thinkpad T520.

thanks
15 replies
Deal Expert
Aug 2, 2004
38392 posts
12012 upvotes
East Gwillimbury
You're not going to see a difference. You can't control the voltages in a ThinkPad and I think they are preset to use 1333 RAM
Banned
User avatar
Feb 15, 2008
26318 posts
3242 upvotes
Calgary
If you already own the 4gb DDR3 SODIMM, no need to replace it. Simply buy a single 8gb DDR3 SODIMM and add it in. You can mix and match. As the other poster said, you won't notice anything, and the only way to measure it would be through benchmarks. Its a laptop, not some uber overclocking rig.
TodayHello wrote: ...The Banks are smarter than you - they have floors full of people whose job it is to read Mark77 posts...
Deal Addict
Oct 31, 2012
4547 posts
1045 upvotes
London
The 520 can't use 1600 RAM anyway. But just grab whatever's cheaper, CPU's nowadays can mix with no issue so long as you don't overclock (which a laptop won't do anyway)
Deal Guru
User avatar
Mar 28, 2006
12225 posts
2957 upvotes
thanks
Deal Addict
Oct 31, 2012
4547 posts
1045 upvotes
London
Haven't had an issue mixing RAM in a while...if you don't need 16 GB I'd try adding one stick, then only if it doesn't work would I try a matching pair. RAM costs quite a bit nowadays...
Deal Expert
User avatar
Jul 22, 2006
22438 posts
3065 upvotes
Scycotic wrote: Haven't had an issue mixing RAM in a while...if you don't need 16 GB I'd try adding one stick, then only if it doesn't work would I try a matching pair. RAM costs quite a bit nowadays...
What you think OP doing that requires 16GB of ram?

I have a T510 with 8GB and it is plenty........
Deal Addict
Oct 31, 2012
4547 posts
1045 upvotes
London
george__ wrote: What you think OP doing that requires 16GB of ram?

I have a T510 with 8GB and it is plenty........
No idea, but OP said s/he didn't think that 16GB was needed, so it would make sense to try the 8GB + 4GB (existing)...personally I also use 8GB.
Deal Expert
User avatar
Jul 22, 2006
22438 posts
3065 upvotes
Scycotic wrote: No idea, but OP said s/he didn't think that 16GB was needed, so it would make sense to try the 8GB + 4GB (existing)...personally I also use 8GB.
8 + 4 = 9 +3 = 12 GB...

@OP what CPU you have?
Deal Guru
User avatar
Mar 28, 2006
12225 posts
2957 upvotes
The famous i7-2860QM with 2x4GB right now. Need more memory for hyper-V. Thanks for Windows 8 and SSD, there is no need to hibernate anymore so more RAM doesn't hurt.
george__ wrote: 8 + 4 = 9 +3 = 12 GB...

@OP what CPU you have?
Deal Expert
User avatar
Jul 22, 2006
22438 posts
3065 upvotes
^
Then you probably want to go 16GB...
Deal Guru
User avatar
Mar 28, 2006
12225 posts
2957 upvotes
I feel guilty for spending too much money. Just bought Edge E530 too. On top of other ipad, android, HDD craps from boxing week.
george__ wrote: ^
Then you probably want to go 16GB...
Deal Expert
User avatar
Jul 22, 2006
22438 posts
3065 upvotes
82 wrote: I feel guilty for spending too much money. Just bought Edge E530 too. On top of other ipad, android, HDD craps from boxing week.
-_-"
Deal Fanatic
User avatar
Nov 4, 2008
7675 posts
10977 upvotes
Scarbs
82 wrote: I feel guilty for spending too much money.
That sort of attitude is not welcome on RFD.

On topic, I would argue that the 8gig ram would perform slightly worse despite its higher speed due to its higher latencies. But as others have mentioned, its not something you'll notice unless you're using benchies.

Top