Questions regarding RAM and dual-channel graphics performance

Hi there,

First off, here is my current setup:
AMD A8-5600K
ASRock FM2A75M-DGS
4 GB DDR3 1600 MHz
Nvidia GeForce GTX series

My first question concerns memory. I currently have 4 GB of RAM. I wouldn't call myself a hardcore gamer; I mostly stick to Counter-Strike, with the occasional session of DayZ. Given that, would I see any real improvement if I added another 4 GB, or is 4 GB sufficient for what I do?

The second question involves dual-channel graphics. This processor features integrated graphics that can run in dual-channel mode alongside an Nvidia GeForce GT series card, which I also happen to own. However, right now, I am using the Nvidia GeForce GTX series card. So, the question is: when would I see better performance—sticking with the Nvidia GeForce GTX series card, which doesn't support dual-channel, or swapping it out for the Nvidia GeForce GT series card to enable that dual-channel mode?

I hope I haven't made this too complicated and that my reasoning is clear.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.

What kind of graphics card are we talking about? Saying it's an Nvidia GeForce GTX series is a bit vague since you've got the 240, 250, 250X, and so on. You might want to check GPU-Z just so we actually know what we're working with before we suggest anything.

As for the RAM, I guess it helps, but probably won't make a huge difference unless you're running heavy titles or doing a ton of multitasking. Honestly, I'm not really sure how much RAM DayZ actually eats or what its sweet spot is.

Actually, the card is an Nvidia GeForce GT series

DayZ recommended requirements:
CPU: Intel Core i5-2300 or AMD Phenom II x4 940 or better
RAM: 4 GB
OS: Windows 7
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 or AMD Radeon HD 7750 with 1 GB VRAM or better

CS: GO Recommended Requirements:
Intel CPU: Quad-Core Intel Core i5 @ 2.66GHz
AMD CPU: Quad-Core AMD Phenom II @ 2.5GHz
RAM: 4 GB
NVidia GPU: Nvidia GTX 500 or greater
AMD GPU: Nvidia GPU : Nvidia GT series or greater
OS: Windows 7 64-bit (SP1)
DirectX: DirectX 11
HDD Space: 4GB

If you're just playing these specific games, I guess you won't need any more RAM than that.

Stick with the Nvidia GeForce GT series. That HD6670 is pretty old school, and honestly, that dual graphics setup was always kind of a mess—it works for some games and fails in others, so setting it up might just be a massive headache for nothing.

You’ll see the biggest jump in DayZ once you grab a new card. Like George Sanders37 mentioned, it can't really handle more than 4GB of RAM, and a buddy of mine who plays it actually confirmed that too...

That’s great, thanks so much for the advice. Since I don't really run anything particularly demanding on this setup, 4 GB should still be plenty for my needs, and I'll be sticking with the Nvidia GeForce GT series currently in the machine. You guys were incredibly quick and helpful, which I really appreciate. 🙂

But again, the real question is which specific Nvidia GeForce GT series we're talking about. If it’s the DDR3 version while the other one is GDDR5, I honestly think he’d get more bang for his buck going with dual graphics plus the 6670, regardless of how that setup actually functions.

Actually, it's the other way around—the Nvidia GeForce GT series uses DDR5, while the Nvidia GeForce GT series runs on DDR3.

goldenpanther said:Actually, you've got it backward—the R7250 uses DDR5, whereas the HD6670 is running on DDR3.

Then there’s really nothing left to debate. The 250 is the only way to go... 🙂