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Using two different brands of ram?

L

lettuceman44

Junior Member
Hey guys. Right now I have 2gb of Crucial Ballistix in my system(DDR2 800).
I bought them back when they were actually good. Now, when I looked to go get more I keep hearing about RMA's and how they came DOA.

So, I was wondering, could I use another brand say like G Skill, and still have the ram be ok?
 
The only problem I see is that the Ballistix are rated 2.2v or the newer ones rated at 2v. That can be problem if you mix with 1.8v DIMMs
 
Mixing brands has never been recommended, but as long as you're not overclocking I shouldn't see a problem.

My HTPC has 3 different manufacturers with a 4 x 512MB configuration (2 Identical, the other 2 different) without a hiccup. However when I tried it with another one of my PC's, it would refuse to POST.

So YMMV, but I don't see a really big issue.
 
Anymore opinions on this matter?

Thanks though for the replies. I'm scared that if I go ahead and do it, something will go wrong.....and I don't have money to buy new things.
 
I have 2x2GB Crucial Ballistix and 2x2GB Mushkin Redline. The Ballistix is actually DDR2-800 rated for 4-4-4-12 @ 2.0V, though it also has an EPP with 5-5-5-15 timings at 1066MHz, 2.0V. The Mushkin is DDR2-1066 rated for 5-5-5-12 at 2.0-2.1V.

They run fine on JEDEC specs (DDR2-800 at 5-5-5-15, 1.8V) and on overclocked settings (DDR2-1066 5-5-5-15 at 2.0V).
I can also run them at 800MHz, 4-4-4-12, 2.0V. The way the two sets seem to match so well in performance makes me think they use similar memory chips....


My little brother has two sets of ram that are certainly not the same. 2x1GB Crucial Ballistix (the 2.2V ones) and 2x1GB Geil. I say different because the Ballistix can OC to 1000MHz+ but the Geil set can't OC much from 800MHz. Both are rated for 4-4-4-12 timings at 800MHz though. Those worked well together at JEDEC specs.


My old comps also ran on mixed brands (value ram at matched speeds). Those worked alright as well.


TL;DR I've never had issues with mixing ram brands.
 
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