Memory Upgrade

[lambchops511]

I have this memory right now: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145357

and I want another 16 GBs for a total of 32 GBs. However, since this particular memory isn't the cheapest anymore, any drawbacks to switch to another brand? e.g., 4 sticks of 2 different brands?

 

[Charlie98]

Match the voltage and timings and you should be OK. How much are you really going to save anyway... it'd be worth it to me to just get the matched RAM and be done with it.

 

[GPz1100]

Memory timings will vary depending how the memory is packaged (2 or 4 stick kits). That is, the xmp profiles will have different memory timing parameters. Specifically those that come 4 to the kit will be more relaxed than those with 2 in the kit.

Given that the link above refers to 1600 mhz ram, I think you'll be ok with just about any kit. It's when you get to higher speeds that you start to run into issues and timings become critical. Do bear in mind, 32GB is alot of ram, and what I said above may not hold true. Also depends on the board/bios. Without a bios update, I could not run my 32gb at 1866. Best I could do was 32gb at 1333 mhz, or 16gb @ 1866. All 4 sticks came in the same kit.

 

[Blain]

I have this memory right now: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145357

and I want another 16 GBs for a total of 32 GBs. However, since this particular memory isn't the cheapest anymore, any drawbacks to switch to another brand? e.g., 4 sticks of 2 different brands?

True a Corsair XMS3 16GB kit isn't the absolute cheapest you can buy that matches speed, timings and voltage.
But it's only $7 more than the cheapest G.Skill kit of the same specs.
Treat yourself and spend the extra $7 on the Corsair.
You could collect enough aluminum cans to cash-in to make up the tiny $7 difference.

 

[lambchops511]

Memory timings will vary depending how the memory is packaged (2 or 4 stick kits). That is, the xmp profiles will have different memory timing parameters. Specifically those that come 4 to the kit will be more relaxed than those with 2 in the kit.

Given that the link above refers to 1600 mhz ram, I think you'll be ok with just about any kit. It's when you get to higher speeds that you start to run into issues and timings become critical. Do bear in mind, 32GB is alot of ram, and what I said above may not hold true. Also depends on the board/bios. Without a bios update, I could not run my 32gb at 1866. Best I could do was 32gb at 1333 mhz, or 16gb @ 1866. All 4 sticks came in the same kit.

What does that mean? Does that mean even if I pickup another of the exact kit (2 sticks), it might not perform well? My motherboard is this --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121606

 

[GPz1100]

^^ It means that a kit containing 4 sticks will not have the same extended memory settings as the same make/model of memory in a 2 stick kit. It's a big ymmv if the additional kit will work with the original without some additional memory setting tweaking.

Not familiar with the intel board, but hopefully it has the full range of memory settings control as other enthusiast type boards.

 

[Blain]

Does that mean even if I pickup another of the exact kit (2 sticks), it might not perform well?

When you populate all the DIMM slots, there's always a possibility of experiencing incompatibility or stability issues.
When you buy a matching (brand, speed, CAS, voltage, capacity) memory kit, you reduce the chance for incompatibility or instability to a minimum.