Memory Matching

[lupi]

Looking at expanding from 2x4 to 4x4 to increase memory of the maching to 16gb. How important is it that I get a new pair of same make/model?

 

[Viper GTS]

Not very critical. Just make sure the new RAM is at least as fast as the old (or at least as fast as you're running it) in both frequency and timings. You should also try to match the rank configuration and voltage.

If your current memory is still readily available it certainly wouldn't hurt to match precisely, but it's not really necessary in most use cases.

Viper GTS

 

[rchunter]

I'm running non matching memory, simply because I couldn't match it. It wasn't available by the time I went to buy my second set. I'm able to do it and get away with it. The voltage and speed are the same on all 6 sticks, all that's different is the timings. It runs fine. All you can do is try it but if you can still get matching memory it would probably be good for you to do it.

 

[lupi]

Finally got around to looking through my order history to find them, looks to still be an in stock item too.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426

 

[lupi]

Either it was a good thing I bought these or a curse. After chasing a somewhat random crash on my machine, I went today and tried duplicating it one stick at a time. Wither either of the older sticks in I can get the crash, with both the new one only hasn't occurred yet.

Somewhat odd crash I first thought was attributed to a video card that went bad and stopped happening for a good month after replacing it, then would come back at times after. Happened mostly in demanding 2D environments (could play a fullscreen game and it would never happen.

have never done a gskill rma so let's see how that goes.

 

[Jembo]

My newest mobo is very finicky about this(Gigabyte H97-something). If they're even same brand but different speed, it's a no go. Newest BIOS & all other tricks were tried. Ended up selling memory at a loss to replace with 2 x 8GB. Lost almost as much value as the mobo cost in the 1st place...LOL.

This is the 1st time I've ever had problems running Dual Channel with mixed sets before in many years of PCs. So, I guess, in answer to your question, depends on the mobo.

 

[Blain]

If you're going to populate all the DIMM slots on your MB, I would match with the same brand, voltage, CAS and speed, in order to avoid any compatibility issues.

 

[lupi]

If you're going to populate all the DIMM slots on your MB, I would match with the same brand, voltage, CAS and speed, in order to avoid any compatibility issues.

It is same brand and kit number. Pcb is a different color but otherwise you wouldn't know difference.

Good news, they'very already responded with real details. Bad is that they want me to ship old modules back. Wouldn't be as annoying if they still retailed for ~ the 90 they did when I bought, but down to 35 now it is a minor bummer.