I couldn't find a forum for ram so I just put this here.
My PC: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ThePCNoob2/saved/s4bKHx
Hello! I've learnt a few weeks ago that my PC is being bottle-necked by my 8GB of ram, but I can't just buy 2 more 4GB ram sticks so then i'd have 16GB. This is because my PC doesn't have enough space for more RAM sticks since I have a huge CPU cooler that is blocking 2 out of 4 of my RAM slots. With this information which/how many RAM sticks should I buy? Or should I just get a smaller fan that would be just as effective if not more effective than my current one since my computer always has overheating problems. My budget is about 100$.
I've tried that but it messed up the airflow of my computer making it even hotter, heres a picture of my comptuer that I probally should've included: https://i.imgur.com/n0tQohr.jpg
Is there a reason why your Hyper 212 is so very slightly crooked?
Is it possible for you to remove the clips on the fan and try using it to pull air through the heatsink? If not, is it possible that you might be able to move the fan up a little bit higher to give enough clearance for the RAM? I've installed a Hyper 212 before, but it's been awhile so I don't quite remember the installation process.
Well the hyper 212 can be slightly tilted and I can't really get it perfect so I just left it like that. I've tried changing the direction of the fan but that resulted in my hyper212 blowing into my unmovable case fan which ended up causing a lot more heat in my computer. The cpu cooler isn't just slightly in the way so that moving it down would fix it, its right on it.
Well, that's annoying. Do you know if low profile RAM would fit under the fan? Low profile is about the height of the bare PCB. If it does look like it would fit, you could possibly find a low profile ram kit with the same timing and frequency, since DDR3-1600 should be pretty easy to mix and match kits.
If you're willing to go even farther, you can remove the heatsinks on the RAM that you have now. Heatsinks for RAM are only for looks.
I'm not sure if low profile ram would fit under the fan, and I don't trust myself to tamper with my computer parts much. Would risking low profile RAM be better, going with kevin's idea (which I like the idea of so far), or are there any better alternatives?
Well, Kevin's solution is a solution, but a bit pricy if you can manage to only buy a 2x4GB kit that will work with your current RAM. Also, you'll be able to take advantage of dual channel technology if you can utilize the ram slots. If you can't fit low profile or find compatible low profile ram, kevin's solution would probably be the best.
Well I actually was planning on upgrading the cooling in my computer so his solution kills 2 birds with one stone though it is a bit pricey. But is there any other alternative, like a better water cooler for the same price?
Are you certain that you need more RAM? 8GB plus the 4GB on the GPU is quite a lot for most applications. You mention that you are having over heating issues. I run an Intel stock cooler and have no such issues. With that beasting Cooler Master heat sink you definitely shouldn't. Are you sure that it is installed correctly. Or, are you overclocking it a bit too much?
I am very certian I need more ram, I like pushing my games to their absolute maximums and I always end up being capped on ram. I'm also the type of person who has 20 chrome tabs open and likes to play a game of dayz at the same time so more ram would help with that. I heavily overclock my stock 290x (I know I shouldn't be) and I'd also like to start overclocking my cpu as well, and my small case is basically suffocating my parts so I end up with about an average of 90celcius on my gpu when i'm playing a game.
If you haven't yet overclocked the CPU, why not just attach the stock cooler. You could then fit in extra RAM. Later on, you could invest in another cooler.
I notice the fan vent on your PSU is facing upwards yet there appears to be a case vent underneath it (correct me if I am wrong). If so I would suggest turning the PSU around so it intakes from the underneath the case. Also, if I had temperatures that high I would consider dropping the overclock or at least leaving the side panel off until I found a new case.
I haven't overclocked the cpu (yet) but I plan to soon, though I might hold off on that. I remember trying to change the direction of the fan to point up at one point but it didn't work. And I actually do leave the side panel off at all times.
If you are getting an average GPU temp of 90°C with the side panel off I would highly suggest lowering your overclock. You are literally hitting the threshold of what a modern GPU can handle. I would recommend bringing that down to at least the low 80's. You have to ask yourself, what is the performance gain, a few percentage, is it really worth it?
The stock fan is designed and more than capable of cooling the CPU without an overclock. I can't remember the exact numbers, as I never really have to check, but when I do mine are always very low. Granted, I do have a high air-flow case.
Is there an air vent on the case underneath the PSU? If so, does it have a dust filter?
Well I usually only overclock on games that need it and underclock on games that don't when underclocking I get about 70c average. There is no air vent underneath the PSU, but what would be the point of that? Wouldn't the PSU just block it?
The point in the PSU fan cage facing downwards is to intake cool air from underneath the case opposed to intaking second hand hot air from the GPU. Although their has to be a dust filter, otherwise excessive dust will build up in the PSU, causing it to overheat and possibly fail. It is also preferable to not place the computer on carpet if this is the intake method.