importance of having same RAM

jepherz · Jan 18, 2009, 08:26 AM

im curently running dual channel 2x1GB, i think i need more...but i dont know. I want to get another 4 gb of ram for 6gb total. If i can a pair of different brand rams, will this not work? like no dual channel no longer works, or random crashes, etc...

Al_Vampyre · Jan 18, 2009, 09:39 AM

Seems to be mixed opinions about this one, I've mixed brands before and never had any issues. As long as they're the same speed modules with the same voltage requirements they should work

mkk · Jan 18, 2009, 09:52 AM

I agree, with same or better specs for the new RAM there's usually no problems these days. Leave the old RAM sticks in the first and second memory slots, as the motherboard usually reads the timing data off the SPD values of the first stick. And at worst you'll end up having to use the new RAM alone which will still be a boost. Not a big loss with todays prices.

[hobo]eclipse · Jan 18, 2009, 09:52 AM

how well they run mixed is different on all boards, intel supports "flex memory technology"

blibbax · Jan 18, 2009, 10:15 AM

Providing that the voltages, speeds and latencies are the same, I really see no reason for this not to work.

It does help to have each channel indentical, so just put a 1gb and a 2gb in each channel.

Jan 18, 2009, 08:26 AM	#1
jepherz HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 119 Rep Power: 0	importance of having same RAM im curently running dual channel 2x1GB, i think i need more...but i dont know. I want to get another 4 gb of ram for 6gb total. If i can a pair of different brand rams, will this not work? like no dual channel no longer works, or random crashes, etc...

Jan 18, 2009, 09:39 AM	#2
Al_Vampyre HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,532 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	Re: importance of having same RAM Seems to be mixed opinions about this one, I've mixed brands before and never had any issues. As long as they're the same speed modules with the same voltage requirements they should work

Jan 18, 2009, 09:52 AM	#3
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,490 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Re: importance of having same RAM I agree, with same or better specs for the new RAM there's usually no problems these days. Leave the old RAM sticks in the first and second memory slots, as the motherboard usually reads the timing data off the SPD values of the first stick. And at worst you'll end up having to use the new RAM alone which will still be a boost. Not a big loss with todays prices.

Jan 18, 2009, 09:52 AM	#4
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,907 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Re: importance of having same RAM how well they run mixed is different on all boards, intel supports "flex memory technology"

Jan 18, 2009, 10:15 AM	#5
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,230 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: importance of having same RAM Providing that the voltages, speeds and latencies are the same, I really see no reason for this not to work. It does help to have each channel indentical, so just put a 1gb and a 2gb in each channel. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!