Question Mixing RAM of different speeds

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
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I'm currently running 2x16GB of Corsair DDR4-3600 RAM


I've been offered 2X8GB of Corsair DDR4-32000

Will it work? Will it create problems? I realize the 3600 RAM will probably run at the 3200 speed...right?

Is this going to be more of a PITA than it's worth?

Specs are in my signature.
 
 

mikeymikec

Lifer
May 19, 2011
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If the board is on auto RAM settings then it will pick the DRAM frequency that the slowest DIMM can run at. If it has been set manually and is set too high for the slowest DIMM then the system won't boot.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
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If the board is on auto RAM settings then it will pick the DRAM frequency that the slowest DIMM can run at. If it has been set manually and is set too high for the slowest DIMM then the system won't boot.
Right now, the existing RAM is set for XMP I think the "new" RAM has the option of XMP.
 

mikeymikec

Lifer
May 19, 2011
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Right now, the existing RAM is set for XMP I think the "new" RAM has the option of XMP.

I would un-set XMP before installing the new RAM to begin with. I've only in recent years started using XMP so I have no idea how well it plays with mixed modules. You can try re-setting XMP after the installation of new modules and see what happens. IMO the worst case scenario is you'll need to do a CMOS reset to regain control of the system.
 
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Shmee

Memory & Storage, Graphics Cards Mod Elite Member
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Sep 13, 2008
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There is a chance they could work well together, if they use the same type of DRAM die. But that isn't always obvious, and these have different profiles, so they very well could be different chips. I have had good luck mixing 2x8GB DDR4 kits on my Ryzen systems, but they had same profiles and same DRAM die. With the Hynix kits, one was Gskill and one Patriot, but they still worked well together at XMP. YMMV, as I did research to make sure I was getting kits with the same profile and same DRAM die.