Can I mix 5-6-6-18 with 5-5-5-15

[kranawee]

Hello,

I want to upgrade memory in my machine from 4GB to 8GB. My motherboard has 4 DDR2 slots and currently 2 of them has OCZ2G10662G, which is 2GB each with latency 5-6-6-18.

I cannot find this model anymore locally, but I can buy G.SKILL F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK PC2-8500 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-1066 CL5-5-5-15.

I do not have much experience or knowledge with memory, so I wonder if someone can advice me whether I can mix this 5-6-6-18 and 5-5-5-15 to get 8GB totally.

 

[BoomerD]

Mixing RAM is always a crap shoot at best. Even buying modules with the same part number is no guarantee that they'll work together unless you buy a matched set that were tested together.
With the RAM manufacturers buying chips wherever they can, this week's production might have chips from ABC Co., next week's run from XYZ Co, and the week after that, from OMG! Corp. They may or may NOT play well together.
It's always best to buy as much RAM at one time, in a tested package, as you're going to want in the computer.

You pays your money and you takes your chances.

 

[kranawee]

Thanks, BoomerD. I think I want to buy a complete set at once.

 

[SickBeast]

I recently mixed a 9-9-9-24 set of DDR3 with some 9-9-9-20 stuff and it worked out well for me. In fact, I've never had a problem running different memory modules together. So long as you run them at the slower timings, you should be fine.

 

[Fayd]

I recently mixed a 9-9-9-24 set of DDR3 with some 9-9-9-20 stuff and it worked out well for me. In fact, I've never had a problem running different memory modules together. So long as you run them at the slower timings, you should be fine.

same here. never had a problem with mixed ram.

 

[n7]

While not ideal, i too have never really had issues with mixing kits, & have even OCed mixed RAM with success.

Just make sure to err on the side of caution when it comes to voltage/timings, & obviously run the lower of the two voltages with the looser timings.
You might have to run a lower speed than DDR2-1066, but you should be able to get it going.

Just make sure to Memtest86+ & HCI Memtest to check stability.

If you are hesitant or worried of potential issues, you can always sell your existing kit & buy a matching 8 GB set.

 

[tweakboy]

Yes, but give them both same the 5-5-5 timing. and dont OC the ram. gl

 

[mv2devnull]

Yes, but give them both same the 5-5-5 timing. and dont OC the ram. gl

Once again one of your misinformation classics? Setting a 5-6-6 RAM to run at 5-5-5 is OC.

If there are 5-5-5-15 and 5-6-6-18, then 5-6-6-18 is the safer bet that both should be able to do. But even that is not certain, because the slower OCZ might not be up to its nominal speed with four modules in use. I.e. it still might require increasing the voltage to compensate for the increased load, and on the other hand the components might not like the extra voltage.

Like BoomerD said, it is a crap shoot. It might work for many, but the unlucky ones are not happy.