RAM upgrade - does it need to be exactly the same?

[thx1138]

I have the system in my signature and I'd like to speed it up by reducing its reliance on a page file. The motherboard has four RAM slots of which only two are filled with OCZ RAM code OCZ3BE1600C8LV2G. I would like to add another two 2 GB DIMMS but OCZ3BE1600C8LV2G is no longer manufactured. I've saved some eBay searches so I'll get notifications if that code is entered in a new listing. Could anyone advice me whether I can actually get two different DIMMS or must they all be exactly the same product?

[mikeyb5753]

two differennt types of RAM is fine

[Vezina]

two differennt types of RAM is fine

NO , it s not.

[mikeyb5753]

two differennt types of RAM is fine

NO , it s not.

So are you saying he MUST use the exact same type of RAM in all slots??

Your knowledge is quite amusing

[Tiger]

From G.Skill, the memory manufacturer, FAQs:

Q:
 I want to install more memory, in addition to my existing memory kit. What are my options?

A:
 We do not recommend mixing memory kits, regardless of brand or model.

 By mixing memory kits together, there may be compatibility issues such as unable to boot or unable to operate at rated specifications.

 Each of our memory kit are thoroughly tested to ensure compatibility within each memory kit. And because we have not tested our memory kit with your existing memory kit, we cannot guarantee compatibility when multiple kits are used.

[mikeyb5753]

Of course a manufacturer is going to say that - to force you to buy their products.  If you mix sticks with different speed ratings all sticks will run at the speed of the slowest stick.  Mixing different sizes is fine but they will only run in single channel mode.
as for compatibility, check the compatibility lists.

I don't think i've ever had a system with matching sticks and never ran into problems

[MisterEd]

Of course a manufacturer is going to say that - to force you to buy their products.  If you mix sticks with different speed ratings all sticks will run at the speed of the slowest stick.  Mixing different sizes is fine but they will only run in single channel mode.
as for compatibility, check the compatibility lists.

I don't think i've ever had a system with matching sticks and never ran into problems

While that may be true for many situations there is no still guarantee. All you can do is try. To make sure the sticks work well together I would run Memtest86 for at least one pass.

I have not had a problem lately but did have a problem mixing the following:
Corsair XMS 2GB DDR 400 kit (2x1GB)
Corsair XMS 512 MB DDR 333 stick

 No matter what I set the timing at I could never get them to operate for more that a few hours without crashing Windows.

[thx1138]

Unfortunately OCZ no longer manufacture RAM. I've set up an automatic eBay search for OCZ3BE1600C8LV2G and OCZ3BE1600C8LV4G but my expectations are low.

According to Corsair's website CMX4GX3M2A1600C8 is compatible with my motherboard. Both the OCZ and Corsair RAM are rated 1600 MHz with 8-8-8-24 latency.

According to the motherboard manual: "When enabling Dual Channel mode with two or four memory modules, it is recommended that memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used and installed in the same colored DDR3 sockets for optimum performance." This suggests that I might be able to use the two differing sets.

I'll come back and post whether or not I can POST.

[Vezina]

two differennt types of RAM is fine

NO , it s not.

So are you saying he MUST use the exact same type of RAM in all slots??

Your knowledge is quite amusing

Since 2002 i only had AMD rigs and I think I know very well what i am saying here.

I have found even similar kits to have issues or even sticks from the same dual channel kit to generate issues ,even though each sticks was ok by itself .
AMD IMC is quite picky regarding ram,

When unmatched memory sticks are used you may not be able to use the stated latency or frequency for all sticks in most cases.
You may be free to experiment , sometimes with luck ,but you may encounter random crashes /BSOD-s(sound and video driver related ones mostly) whenever the memory controller is highly loaded ,as well  as cold boot issues.

Also using only 2 sticks of RAM is the recommended way for/by AMD.
With 4 sticks the maximum supported frequency will drop one notch as per IMC.

The probability of 2 memory types to work when being bough at such a big time gap is quite small as batches can be very different even across few months.You can find different RAM chips being used even when the product is having the same name and same specs overall.


I have no interest in making people buy dual channel kits or whatever ,i am not working neither for reselers or manufacturers.


I hope you are not mixing politics with PC knowledge when posing.If you feel the need to flame me please do so on my PM.

[MisterEd]

You are probably better off pulling the existing two sticks of RAM and replacing them with a new two-stick kit that has more total RAM. For example if you now have 2x2GB replace them with either 2x4Gb or 2x8GB.

[thx1138]

I've installed CMX4GX3M2A1600C8 (2 x 2GB) and Windows has recognised and is using them alongside my OCZ modules. I'll run Memtest86 soon.

[Vezina]

Make sure you run at least 25 runs on test 5 and 7 to clear them out at Memtest level ,then stress system with some powerful benchmark.

Are they recognized at 1600 Mhz and the default timings?

Any slowdowns in desktop ?

[thx1138]

I have instability but I'm not convinced it's the memory which is the problem.

Memtest86+ reports no errors after five passes for all tests, 100+ passes for test 5 and 26 passes for test 7. Why are tests 5 and 7 of specific interest?

I'm getting BSODs that appear to involve the graphics. I used BlueScreenView to look at the minidumps and it made this neat report: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1918347/report.html

I ran OCCT and it stopped after 10 minutes reporting an error on core 1. The temperature was 70 C at that point. I've ordered a Cooler Master 212 Evo HSF since it was recommended in a number of places (of course this could just mean they have a lot shills).

I might see if the BSODs can still be induced after removing the newer RAM sticks.

Also one of my drives keep disappearing and then I have to restart to get it back. What a barrel of fun my PC is turning into!

[Vezina]

Test 5 & 7 show usually compatibility problems.8 is also important.

It looks like some CPU/IMC related issue.
Maybe the CPU is going bad ,maybe the mobo is going bad or maybe the power supply.
The board is rather old , i would swap the components into another mobo known to work and see what happens.  

I would also (in case there is no other mobo available) install only one stick ,reset BIOS (clear CMOS for one day) and with one stick of RAM i would re-flash BIOS.If the RAM was bad the BIOS may have been corrupted.
OCZ memory is not quite the most reliable.

[AgentFXA]

.....

I'm getting BSODs that appear to involve the graphics. I used BlueScreenView to look at the minidumps and it made this neat report: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1918347/report.html
.....

Don't be a fool .. get new sticks an throw the old in the trash - your report is showing ram related issues

my2cents