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Mixing RAM brands: 2xKingston + 2x???

M

MechEng

Senior member

Hi

I'm in need of some extra RAM for my PC, but I'm in doubt of what I should get.

I have 2 x 512 MB DDR-SDRAM, Kingston HyperX (KHX3500AK2/1G) running in dual channel mode, and I would like to buy 2 x 512 MB more...

Do any of you know if there would be any problems with mixing these with some other brand of RAM?
For example: OCZ 1GB Kit DDR RAM PC3500 Performance (2x512), Model: 4331024PFDC-K

The criteria for my selection must be, that I wan't to continue running in Dual Channel mode with my FSB at approximately 220MHz. (With stability in mind)

I know that there may be problems with running two different modules in Dual channel, but my knowledge ends when it comes to 2x2 modules for dual channel....

 
Probably the biggest problem you'd run into with that are the timings on the sticks. You'll probably hinder the OCZ because the HyperX runs at higher timings (plus, I'm not sure on the respective voltage requirements of each set of RAM).
 
Thanks for the feedback... 🙂

I actually have no problem with hindering the OCZ. A friend of mine owes me some money, and I would like to have them payed as RAM instead of cash... but he is able to get a good deal on OCZ, but not on Kingstons.

I'm currently running the Kingston's at 220MHz stable, and can run them in the 225-230 range "semi-stable".
If I run them at 230MHz it usually locks up or gives me STOP errors after a few days of "crunching".
Therefore I have no intentions of running the new config any higher than 220Mhz, but I would really hate to run them lower than that.
What concerns me the most is: Do I introduce any extra stability issues, if I mix the two brands if I have them running at the same latency settings etc., just because they are of different brands?

If I remember correct it could/can cause problems, if you mix two different types af RAM-sticks when running Dual Channel. I don't know if this is a concern of the past, or if it is still a problem.
I do of course intend to pair the 2x2 sticks as pairs with respect to the RAM-sockets. Is that the correct term, sockets? 😕

 
should work fine, I'm using a pair of crucial, with a pair of centon, and a pair of kingmax on my gigabyte 8Ik1100 motherboard in dual channel mode, and it works fine(motherboard has 6 ram slots).
 
Just for info...Your KHX is most likely CH-5 chipped (the "A" in the name is the indicator).

It is a simple matter of the chips used for the manufacture of each stick of RAM. If they are the same, regardless of "PC" number, then you are likely OK. At stock settings, you should run the slowest RAM module in the #1 RAM slot, then set the RAM timings to the slowest module's settings. This should be OK for most RAM and mobos (there are exceptions). The greater the timing difference at the same speed, the more the issues will likely be. IE: one RAM is rated CAS 3.0-3-4-7 at 400 Mhz DDR, and another at CAS 2.0-2-2-5 at 400 mhz DDR, then there is a good chance they will need some adjusting to play well together.

Case in point: Kingston KHX2700K2 PC2700 with BH5 chips, or KHX3200K2 PC3200 with BH-5 chips will run the same if mixed. It's the chips tht make the greatest difference in compatibility.
 

Thanks for the info... 🙂

Correction:
I'm running the FSB at 220MHz, but I'm having the MEM-sticks at a 5:4 ratio resulting in 177MHz. With this setting I can set the timings for the Kingston's at 2,3,3,7.
If I don't use that ratio I can only achieve 2.5,3,3,8 at 220MHz. For what I'm using the PC for, the first alternative seems to be the fastest. Does that seem likely to you, considering the difference in MHz?


Please correct me if this conclusion on your comments above is correct:
I can mix them pretty much as I like to (probably) without jeopardizing stability, but I will (probably) have to place the slowest rated RAM in #1 RAM slot, and (probably) have to adjust RAM timings according to these...

If I can run my Kingstons at 2,3,3,7 then if I put some similar or faster rated RAM in, then I should be able to run both sets of sticks at these timings.




 
Right...

The slowest (timing-wise) goes in the first slot, and adjust to that. Strange things can crop up when OC'ing (as we all know), and you may find that with mixed RAM, that certain timings and speeds are more stable than others. This is normal.

I once ran BH-6 and BH-6 yogether, and though similar performance-wise, they were quirky and had a sweet spot. It was weird, because at the same timings and voltage, I could drop three mhz FSB and it would fail P95. Raise it back to the sweet spot and everything was fine.

Some RAM chips mix better than others. Work with it, and find the happy spot. Don't be suprised if you need a little extra juice to stabilize your RAM though.
 


Thanks for your great feedback. 🙂


I suppose I'll get the OCZ then.... (Can't wait till I get it)

I'm expecting to just about cut the processing time to approximately 30-40% because I can avoid swapping most of the time then.
 
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