How to Choose Memory
Computer memory is one of those things that people often overlook when they are chasing the largest hard drive or the fastest processor. That's unfortunate because RAM is one of the most important components in your computer.
What Does RAM Do?
In simplest terms, computer memory stores data so that the processor can access it. The fastest CPU on the planet won't feel fast if you don't have enough RAM to feed it. Even a 4 GHz processor is going to feel slow if it's simply doing nothing four billion times a second while you wait for data to load from the hard drive. There are three things to look for when selecting RAM:
- Type: Always make sure you are looking for the right type of RAM for your motherboard. DDR3 SDRAM is not interchangeable with either DDR2 or DDR4. It comes in a 240-pin module that only fits in DDR3 slots.
- Capacity: You determine total memory capacity by the size and number of modules. Usually you want larger modules, for example 8 GB, whenever possible.
- Bandwidth: This refers to how much data your RAM can transfer per second. The more bandwidth, the more data can get from the DIMM to the processor.
What Memory Does Kingston Make?
As a company, Kingston makes two primary lines of memory products, ValueRAM and HyperX:
- ValueRAM: ValueRAM is the company's mainstream line. With DDR3 available in up to 8 GB modules at speeds up to 1600 MHz, this memory aims to provide reliable performance for people who put a premium on stability and reliability.
- HyperX: HyperX is the company's performance division, offering DDR3 8 GB sticks of up to 1866 MHz. HyperX Fury automatically overclocks itself based on your chipset and overall stability making it a great choice for anyone who wants the benefits of overclocking but the ease of plug-and-play.
Installing Memory
Computer memory is easy to install; it only fits in the slot one way. Just snap it into place and click the end latches shut. Each 240-pin desktop module has a notch in the connector that matches up with a key in the slot itself. For optimal performance you want to install your RAM in matching pairs, putting the same number of sticks of the same size memory modules in each channel. This lets every stick run at its top latency and maximum bandwidth. Therefore, for 8 GB you want two 4 GB modules, and with 8 GB per stick you want 16 GB of DDR3 SDRAM installed. Dual channel mode gives two matched sticks of DDR3-1066 more total bandwidth than unmatched sticks of DDR3-1866 or DDR3-1333. Luckily, it's relatively easy to find RAM in kits, which already come with matching DIMMs.
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