Current and memory usage

Does a PC draw more current if the memory is used to capacity, the same way the CPU draws more current and gets hotter if the CPU usage is higher?

 

Yes. The memory is probably always being refreshed even in sleep mode so that the more memory that is installed, the more power the psu needs to supply. I don't think that would be a significant amount though. You may need additional power if you are doing things that write lots of data to memory and you have installed the maximum amount of memory your system can handle.

I have read where heat is not a problem with memory modules so that is probably not a concern to you, is it?

 

I'm not sure on that one,the max a dimm can draw is only around 10 watts so its like stardis said its negligable anyway,do you have problem that has led you to ask this question,just wondering

 

I'd guess that is relevant. My ram gets nice and toasty, and there is a reason that faster ram has heatspreaders on it

 

I was thinking that if I have 1024 mbs installed and I am using only 256 mbs does this draw less current then using all 1024 mbs. I thought the memory refreshed no matter.

 

Link to where I read about heat spreaders.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=29598

 

Well, consider the source, and lack of official links.


Ram does get pretty darn warm.

Corsair wouldn't add it if it didn't help.

 

Yeah, you're right. BTW here is the official link:
http://www.corsairmicro.com/corsair/tech_notes.html

 

I wanted to know becuase after I added 512 mbs it took longer to come up from hibernation. I have decided to be careful when considering more RAM.