Which memory is best for existing installed memory?

[DarrylLicke]

Mb: http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3395#ov

Installed memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098

Looking at these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=1&srchInDesc=

I want to add another 8gb but I'm unsure of mixing memory.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You don't want to mix memory if at all possible. If it's in your budget, you would likely be better to get a complete fresh set of the same RAM, and then sell off or re-use the older set somewhere else.

Before you purchase an 8GB kit (2x4GB DDR2), make CERTAIN that your motherboard can take 4GB DDR2 DIMMs. There are a number of boards/chipsets that will only take up to 2GB DIMMs. Pretty certain that my P35 Gigabyte board will only do 4x2GB configuration (which they are currently at, maxed out).

I just checked your mobo link.

You must have some of your facts wrong. You linked to DDR2 RAM as your installed memory, but I checked the memory QVL on that mobo you linked, and it is a DDR3 mobo.

So you need to come back and tell us if you have a DDR2 or a DDR3 mobo.

 

[sunilx]

I thought it was OK to have different memory sticks as long as they are in matched pairs. A matched pair in your board's blue slots and another in the white set as long they were all the same speed DDR3-1333 or whatever

 

[Blain]

Like Larry said, your linked MB is DDR3 but you've linked to different DDR2 memory modules.
You can't be running DDR2 DIMMs in a DDR3 only MB, you're mistaken about something.
Double check your components and report back to us.

 

[sunilx]

Regardless of which board or Ram he actually has, the pertinent question is the issue of mixed memory. I say it's ok within certain limits, VirtualLarry says never.

Who is correct?

 

[Geofram]

Regardless of which board or Ram he actually has, the pertinent question is the issue of mixed memory. I say it's ok within certain limits, VirtualLarry says never.

Who is correct?

You're running a risk if you do it. Sometimes mixing brands / speeds/ etc works fine. Sometimes you end up with a system that will be unstable or only boot with certain configurations of the RAM.

I have had it work before, and I've had it blow up before. It's better, if you can, to not run the risk. But it *can* work.

 

[DarrylLicke]

i did link the wrong mb....that's what I get for not working at work.

http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3447#sp

Guess I might as well max it out (linux htpc).

 

[sunilx]

When installing a single pair of memory sticks any matched pair of sufficient required performance will do. When you wish to have 2 pairs of memory sticks to max out your system there is no *risk* or *danger* in installing two independent matched pairs. One in blue slots and one in white slots. Just be sure they are of same rated speed. Don't have DDR2-800 in one pair of slots and DDR2-667 in the other.

Even if you did do the mismatch, rhe worst that will happen is the throughput will gear down to the lesser performing pair. Nothing's going to blow up. The chances of system being unstable with such a configuration is more to do with a poorly designed board than anything else. Having owned that particular board I can say with confidence that it is one of the best boards I have used.

Aesthetically it would be nice to have a matched quartet but the existing memory may have been discontinued or be at a silly price, so...

 

[Stayfr0sty]

I agree, sometimes mixing memory is not a good idea.
I would sell what you have and get a whole new set.

 

[Blain]

Even if you did do the mismatch, rhe worst that will happen is the throughput will gear down to the lesser performing pair. Nothing's going to blow up.

If the mismatch is bad enough it could keep the MB from booting up.
Of course nothing is going to "blow up".
I'm sure Geofram was just using that as an expression not to be taken literally.

 

[Geofram]

If the mismatch is bad enough it could keep the MB from booting up.
Of course nothing is going to "blow up".
I'm sure Geofram was just using that as an expression not to be taken literally.

Yes, precisely. It's an expression. I didn't mean "explode". I meant "blow up" as "might be unstable / work the way you wanted".

Rated speeds aren't always enough to be positive that things will boot happily. I've had several experiences where RAM at the same rated speed from a different company didn't play well with existing RAM. CAS latency and such come into it; Sometimes the motherboard tries to always use the detected settings of the first module it finds, not the slowest. There are a lot of variables, which is why problems arise.

My point, in essence, was "mixing memory brands and type can work out fine sometimes, but other times you will have instability or other unexpected problems". Your motherboard quality has a lot to do with if you have problems.

 

[sunilx]

As Geofram says

"Your motherboard quality has a lot to do with if you have problems. "

Having used the OP's motherboard personally, I can attest that it is very good quality and he should have no problem at all.

If he can get a matched quartet at a decent price, of course he should do that. I am saying that it may be more cost-effective and/or convenient to mix types.

Right now I am running an MSI board with different sets of DDR3 and it's all good.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Hmm, the memory QVL at your updated mobo link, DOES list a couple of 4GB DIMMs. So, apparently, that board will take 4GB DIMMs.

So, if you want to take the risk of mis-matched memory causing problems (which it can, but not necessarily will), you could go along with your original plan.

Edit: Price-wise, though, unless you really NEED more than 8GB of RAM, then I would stick to purchasing another 2x2GB kit of the same stuff that is already in there. Much better likelihood of compatibility.

 

[DarrylLicke]

Hmm, the memory QVL at your updated mobo link, DOES list a couple of 4GB DIMMs. So, apparently, that board will take 4GB DIMMs.

So, if you want to take the risk of mis-matched memory causing problems (which it can, but not necessarily will), you could go along with your original plan.

Edit: Price-wise, though, unless you really NEED more than 8GB of RAM, then I would stick to purchasing another 2x2GB kit of the same stuff that is already in there. Much better likelihood of compatibility.

Well this is an HTPC that often is only used for browsing the web right now (who knew netflix didnt' support linux). Maybe 8GB is sufficient.