Looking for some RAM advice

[Kuboxy]

Hi all!

I've recently jumped back into Skyrim, and as always, looking at all these gorgeous mods and the like made me feel bad about my PC. So I thought it was finally time I gave him an upgrade, but ... I know nothing as far as the interior of a PC goes, so I was hoping some of you could give me some tips.

 

My current PC, an Alienware Aurora-R3, has 4GB. And I believe upgrading RAM is the easiest way of upgrading your PC so I said "why not". Looking through different websites though, there's too many stuff to consider and I can't follow.

 

I'd love is someone could help me figure which RAM Kit I should go with. All I know is that I want a 2x4GB Kit and that the best brands are Kingston, Corsair and Crucial. That doesn't help me much, since even those brands themselves have different 8GB Kits that serve different purposes,

 

Thanks in advance!

[Georgiegril]

What you need is to find the correct RAM for your Motherboard/CPU. You can do that pretty easily by using the automated tool on some memory manufacturer's websites, such as Crucial.com.

After that, any if the brands you listed are good. Once you get the serial numbers for the sticks you are considering, you might try a site like Techradar or Tom's Hardware for comparisons and user reviews. As long as you are getting the higher-end manufactures, though, think the differences are pretty slight and may depend on your individual computer's environment. Wherever you get them, I would suggest to check to make sure their return/replace procedure is super easy and fast. RAM kits seem to be defective more than your average component, at least it seems that way to me.

 

On a side note, I would agree that more than 4 GB RAM may help you--I say this because I noticed a definite increase in memory-related problem when one of my sticks went bad and dropped me from 6 to 4 GB. However , given the game engine's limitations, it is probably not cost-effective (strictly in terms of Skyrim) to get more than 8 GB.

[screendrop]

It really depends, as you said, different kits serve different purposes. Obviously since you have a laptop, you'll want the portable version of whichever kit you're installing, how ever, there are some things you should consider before upgrading-

1. I have never pushed skyrim over 2gb of Max RAM usage. That said, I use mostly script heavy mods, but Skyrim does have a 3.1gb RAM usage cap, as expressed by Gopher. If you're running vanilla Skyrim, you definately do not need more RAM than 4gb, maybe a potential and provisional 6 or 8.

2. Only get more RAM if A) YOu are suffering RAM based crashes (low Resources) or B) you plan to use many high resolution mods (Skyrim HD project, SIMM etc)

3. DRR3 or DRR5? 5 is theoretically better, then again, you have to ask, do you need it. Last I checked though, 5 wasn't actually available, I don't know, maybe its changed, but just check its bandwidth and DRR status.

4. Bottlenecking. Most people, or at least a lot, say 'but I have 16gb'. Problem, 16gb is only useful if you have the accommodating specs to utilize it. Even in the case of optimal performance, being made on an old engine severely restricts Skyrim. THat means there are definite limits of how much of the system that it can use. The highest end PC will use as much as a limit hit Skyrim running PC, for example. Make sure you're GPU and CPU are up to the standards of a high end RAM set.

That being said, i'd say go for it, I have mine upgraded and it fixed certain issues, however, consult an expert, for I am not that. I suggest going into your local PC store and asking about mobile RAM, however, keep in mind my tips because they probably won't have specialized Skyrim knowledge, just localized! :D

 

Good luck!

 

~SD

[Kuboxy]

I have a desktop actually, sorry forgot to mention haha. And I didn't plan on going any higher than 8GB, since it becomes obsolete after that. And yeah, I plan on using many texture mods, might even try to play around with ENB a bit if possible, don't know if I'll find one that suits my tastes however.

 

Also, would upgrading my video card make a big difference too ? I currently have a GeForce GTX 460, but I figure there wouldn't be anything to fear as long as I simply upgrade to a more recent card of that brand right ?

 

By the way, I'll have a look at Crucial's website, thanks for the tip GeorgieGrill!

[screendrop]

Upgrading the GPU is probably the most substantial, but potentially the most expensive, upgrade that one can make, I suggest though, however, upgrading, the 460 is fairly far behind, perhaps think about going for a 650? That's entry level, but would definately get the job done!

 

~SD

[screendrop]

But especially if you're going to be playing around with texture and ENB mods, id upgrade, also, don't use the official HD DLC from Beth, its bugged as hell and terrible, go with the Skyrim HD one from the Nexus, its pretty good and modular too with multiple options for RES levels :)

 

~SD

[DanielCoffey]

The problem with heavy ENB is that they can totally clobber your frame rate at a significant screen resolution. My 7950 (over clocked) struggles at my monitor's native 2560x1440 if I engage an ENB.

 

A 650 TI may be suitable for ENB at 1080p but don't expect miracles.

[DarkWolfModding]

I have a EVGA Geforce GTX 660 TI and 16 GB of corsair vengeance ram. Although I don't use a official ENB I do use enhanced lights and FX along with Audio overhaul for Skyrim. And I run at a constant 50-60 FPS on Ultra Settings.

 

Enhanced lights and Fx:

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/27043/?

[Kuboxy]

Well, after watching Gopher's Modding tutorials (Even though I already know a lot about it lol) and ENB vids, I pretty much figured I'd like to have :

- Climates of Tamriel

- Realistic Lighting Overhaul (ELFX seems to darken dungeons waaaaay too much to my tastes, gorgeous otherwise)

- Pure Waters

- Skyrim HD 2k textures

- Static Mesh improvement (SMIM)

- Real Vision ENB Performance version

 

Considering I'll upgrade to a Nvidia GTX 650 (previously 460), as well as go from 4GB to 8GB, do you guys think I'd have problems running it ? Keep in mind, excluding Skyrim HD en ENB, I can run the others mods with no performance hit on my current gig, with still some place for other miscellaneous mods ?

[MidevalGuy]

Consider upgrading to a 680, or 770 that has more VRAM.

 

Those mods combined are going to really tax an 650 since it only has 1 GB of VRAM... Most of which goes to frame buffering at higher resolutions & AA, already.

Edited November 15, 2013 by MidevalGuy