Memory Compatibility - Lifer needs help!

[Turkish]

Hi all,

I have the following sticks on my mobo:

GSKILL F3-10666CL7D-4GBECO G.SKILL ECO DDR3-1333Mhz CL7 4GB (2x2GB) DUAL (7-7-7-21) 1.35V

Now I want to upgrade to 12 GB memory as my PC often lags with specific tasks.

My existing memory sticks are DDR3, 1333 Mhz and 1.35V. Can I choose sticks with higher voltage and higher CL ratings? Would I run into problems?

Below are my choices for memory (can't choose anything else):

KINGSTON KVR13N9S8/4 4GB DDR3-1333MHz, Cas9, 1.5V
CORSAIR CMV4GX3M1A1333C9 Value 4GB DDR3-1333MHz CL9 1.5V

Thank you.

 

[aigomorla]

need to know what motherboard you have to really be able to answer this question..

But im fairly sure you'd be OK with ram in the 1.5V range.

Just avoid the really old DDR3 which had 1.65V-1.7V
I highly doubt u'll find it at store, now, as they were old and EOL'd.

But you should be ok with DDR3 1.35-1.5

did you also check prices for the 1600mhz ram?
Sometimes they are priced lower or equal, and having the extra speed on ram doesn't hurt.

 

[Turkish]

Thanks for the reply aigomorla.

I'll check the 1600 mhz options but wouldn't that cause compatibility issues when 2 sticks are running at 1333 mhz and the other two at 1600 mhz? At least that's what I have always been warned for, not to go for sticks at differents speeds.

This is my motherboard: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3438#ov

Not sure if it's v1 or v2.

Thanks again.

 

[aigomorla]

no u dont need to worry, because the 1600mhz ram will downclock via bios to 1333mhz.

because its 1600mhz does not mean it has to run at 1600mhz.

Bios will automatically detect the slowest ram speed and set the speed there, unless u intend to overclock the cpu outside flipping the multiplier.

At the very least u can manually set the ram speed inside bios so it runs at 1333mhz.


and the only time u really need to pair ram up is when you want dual channel, which applies only on 2 lanes of the ram.

so as long as you pair them, they will be in dual channel.

(ignoring SB-E / IVB-E which runs on quad channel.)


Again only consider it you can get 1600mhz ram for cheaper, otherwise its not really worth it, as you will never run it at 1600mhz.

 

[Turkish]

Ok, thanks again aigomorla!

Alright, I'll check if I can find a pair of 1600 mhz sticks for cheaper than the 1333 mhz ones.

Also great explanation, that makes sense I guess BIOS is smarter than I had thought.

Cheers.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would get a cheap 16GB (8GB x 2) kit of DDR3-1600 CAS 9-9-9-24/30 1.5v, and call it a day. Mixing RAM is always a crapshoot, and can lead to hard-to-pin-down instability issues.

 

[Tradesman]

I would get a cheap 16GB (8GB x 2) kit of DDR3-1600 CAS 9-9-9-24/30 1.5v, and call it a day. Mixing RAM is always a crapshoot, and can lead to hard-to-pin-down instability issues.

________________

+1 on the crapshoot, mixing DRAM can be and often is problematic, best to get a single set of the full amount you want

 

[Turkish]

Alrighty, thank you all. I'll see if I can just swap my current sticks with a 2 x 4 GBs. I'll keep the old sticks for an HTPC or something.

Cheers and merry xmas!