Replace my two mixed sets with one 2x8GB set?

[Techhog]

Yep, I mixed brands. I unfortunately didn't have a choice due to RAM clearance and the original set being discontinued. However, these sets don't play nicely in XMP mode, so I've just been running at 1333MHz for the past year. I haven't really felt comfortable doing so, however, since I'm concerned about stability between these sets. With RAM prices so low, I thought I could buy a second set of the newer one; however, that set costs quite a bit compared to other sets these days. So, I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to buy the second set for $45, if I should buy a 2x8GB set for $25 more than the 2x4 set ($70 total) to replace all 4 sticks and reduce instability risks even further, or if I should just save my money and keep what I have.

The first set: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820313343

The second set (the one I bought last year):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544&cm_re=Crucial_Ballistix_Sport_8GB_%282_x_4GB%29_240-Pin_DDR3_SDRAM_DDR3_1600_%28PC3_12800%29_Desktop_Memory_Model_BLS2KIT4G3D1609DS1S00-_-20-148-544-_-Product

The 2x8GB options:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...111715-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20233778-S1A4D

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...re=G.SKILL_Ares_Series-_-20-231-848-_-Product (low profile, so easier to upgrade in the future if I want)

 

[TemjinGold]

Are you having any problems with what you have now? If not, I would just stay with what you have.

 

[Techhog]

Are you having any problems with what you have now? If not, I would just stay with what you have.

Only the problem stated in the OP. I'm also curious if only having 2 sticks would strain the memory controller a bit less and let me overclock my CPU a little bit more.

 

[Seba]

if I should just pay another $20 for a 2x8GB set to replace all 4 sticks

I do not understand this part.

- How can you get 2x8GB for $20?

- And if you replace those 4 sticks (2x4GB + 2x8GB) with 2x8GB you will have 16GB total RAM so why not just remove the 2x4GB and keep the 2x8GB that you have now?

 

[Techhog]

I do not understand this part.

- How can you get 2x8GB for $20?

- And if you replace those 4 sticks (2x4GB + 2x8GB) with 2x8GB you will have 16GB total RAM so why not just remove the 2x4GB and keep the 2x8GB that you have now?

I meant $20 extra for the 2x8GB compared to the 2x4GB. Though, now it's $25 extra.

Oops! That second set is 2x4GB. Let me fix that link...

 

[Seba]

So now you have 2x(2x4GB), not 2x4GB + 2x8GB.

Can you sell your old 4GB modules (both pairs)? If yes, I'll sell all of them and buy a 2x8GB kit. If not (or the price would be too low), I'll keep them as they are now, even if that means using them at 1333.

 

[Techhog]

So now you have 2x(2x4GB), not 2x4GB + 2x8GB.

Can you sell your old 4GB modules (both pairs)? If yes, I'll sell all of them and buy a 2x8GB kit. If not (or the price would be too low), I'll keep them as they are now, even if that means using them at 1333.

I was actually going to see if I could sell at least two of the sticks to the school I work at for $30 or so, but I'm not 100% sure if it'll be allowed.

 

[Techhog]

So, not more thoughts on this? :/ I guess I'll stick with what I have then... I'm going to be upset is RAM speed starts to make a difference in the near future though.

 

[Mushkins]

I'm going to be upset is RAM speed starts to make a difference in the near future though.

Don't worry, it won't. Unless you're doing some specifically RAM-intensive tasks where the difference between 1333 and 1600 is going to shave hours off the time to render a 3d video or something, the difference is imperceptible.

 

[Techhog]

Don't worry, it won't. Unless you're doing some specifically RAM-intensive tasks where the difference between 1333 and 1600 is going to shave hours off the time to render a 3d video or something, the difference is imperceptible.

I'm looking more at the difference between 1333 and 2400 in this case, actually. I'm also a bit desperate to find ways to improve stream encoding performance without using a crappy encoder. I could keep the money and save up for a 4790K I guess. :/

 

[Techhog]

Looks like I can sell the sets and make this switch for almost nothing. I'm going to do that, especially since it means that I can add more RAM in the future if I need to (I like playing with VMs, which is why I upgraded to 16GB in the first place).