Takaharu

My mum's using 3x2GB Corsair Dominator 2000MHz and wants to add more memory to it (Java is a royal hog). She's considering adding another 3x4GB of the same spec Dominator. As far as I'm aware, as it's the same RAM in a larger quantity it should work fine. Can anyone confirm this?

__________________

blibbax

I've tried this in dual channel with no issues, so I can't see where there'd be a problem. Sometimes you can't overclock or latency-tweak as far with four slots filled, but I'm guessing that your mum doesn't do either of those things.

__________________

Judas

so 3x 2gb + 3x 4gb = 18gb..

they should triple channel fine... and even if they are mixed memory.. while it's generally a rule of thumb that it's always best to have all the same size and brand and type of memory..... nothing hurts anything if you mix everything up (just dual/triple channel may be broken if your not keep the sizes under a little bit of control)

__________________

Takaharu

It's triple-channel 3x2GB and triple-channel 3x4GB. Would that retain?

__________________

blibbax

Basically, the important thing is that each channel is identical. So, if one channel contains a 4GB stick in its first slot and a 2GB stick in its second slot, then the two other channels also need to replicate that setup. As long as the channels are identical, triple channel can function.

Beyond that, all of the memory in the system has to run at the same speed and latency. Doesn't matter if some can run faster - it'll all drop to the lowest common denominator. I've never known mixing brands to be an issue.

I've also read that the channels needing to be identical includes the same amount of physical memory modules in each channel (e.g. 4 modules per stick), but I've never had the chance to test this. Either way, as you're using two 3GB kits, this won't effect you.

__________________

Judas

should be fine...


3x4gb + 3x2gb = 18gb of triple channel goodness.

windows vista home premium 64 last time i tried only allowed a total of 16gb (including the video ram)..... windows 7 i don't think is impacted by this

__________________

blibbax

It is.

Memory Limits for Windows Releases (Windows)

I had just assumed that the OS in question was an "Ultimate" edition, so this is worth considering.

I don't know whether it would be possible set the spare 2GB as a RAM disk or something if you don't want to acquire a copy of a higher end OS.

__________________

Takaharu

The OS in question is Pro. Judas gave his personal experience.
Maximum RAM 192GB... 18GB might be pushing it a bit. However, the physical limitation of the X58 is 24GB, which is also worth considering.

__________________

Judas

well i do know that at the time... i was running 2 of the HD4870x2s in crossfire (2gb per) and i had 16gb of ram..... i was limited to only just above 11gb when using vista x64 and windows 7 x64 home premium.. i just know that sometimes Service packs have "unlocked" previously locked features ...

But i've been using off and on Microsoft windows 7 x64 Proffesional for the simple reasons of it having the additional features that can come in handy once in awhile..

18gb of ram isn't pushing anything.. at all.... it's just that there is no point in having 18gb of ram if all you can access due to windows restriction is much less then that...

I still install 4gb Ram kits into machine with windows 32bit.. when there is no impact on it.... but generally i only recommend 2gb for the older machines that have no hope of 64bit capabilities..... (i find they tend to dislike running 3gb or 4gb anyways... 3gb definitely due to usually breaking dual channel mode as MOST system have only 2 slots)



Rule of the century..... you can never have no much ram.... ever... period..... the "to much ram" should never be spoken off.. as it's a lie.

__________________

Takaharu

Hence the sarcasm.
Can't*
I can't be bothered to point out the other spelling mistakes...

__________________

asedsa

Also please note that many motherboards may have issues at times if you combine single sided and double sided RAM sticks, which means single sided RAM stick has memory chips located only at one side of stick.

Even if manual of motherboard says that it supports almost every memory stick, BSOD and other similar problems are very possible with that combination of RAM sticks.

Regards

blibbax

Judas just said that he didn't think that Windows 7 was subject to these limitations. The 16GB limit does remain on Home Premium, but if you've got Pro then no worries

I'm not sure whether the sentence that you quote doesn't make more sense with "can" than "can't".

__________________

Judas

I make grammer nazis commit suicide

__________________