Is this ram combination good? 8gb paired with 16gb (2x8gb kit)

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Joshua Punu

Joshua Punu

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Mar 19, 2013
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I wanna do an upgrade for my RAM Memory. I have existing 8gb kingston CL10 1600mhz on my build and I saw this 16gb (2x8gb) kingston CL10 1600mhz on sale that caught my attention. But questions keep coming about its compatibility with my existing. I looked them up on kingston website the specs are pretty the same as follows
8GB Kingston - http://www.kingston.com/datasheets/KHX1600C10D3B1_8G.pdf 16GB Kingston (2x8gb) -http://www.kingston.com/datasheets/KHX1600C10D3B1K2_16G.pdf

For reference I have these specs:
i7 3770 3.4ghz
CM Seldon 120mm CPU Cooler
P8z77 M-Pro
CM 720w PowerSupply

Will my RAM Memory combination work? reasonable?

I was kinda disappointed when the store technician said that I have to ditch my existing 8gb because it will only slow down the 16gb (2x8gb) kit. He also added that I must upgrade at this order 4 8 16 32 64 or it will be inappropriate.

should I take the 16gb kit? or I'll just look for another 8gb kingston same as mine?

Help me please :) Thank you for your time.
 
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COLGeek

COLGeek

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Apr 6, 2009
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Do you currently have a single stick of memory (1x8GB) or two sticks (2x4GB) of memory?

If one, the technician was technically correct. Adding a pair of memory, in addition to the existing single stick, will have the system continue to operate in single channel mode, vice dual channel. The performance difference is actually pretty insignificant for most users.

Please clarify what you have now. Also, what version of Windows are you using?
 
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Emerald

Emerald

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I seen system instability running a system on three sticks of memory

the memory you listed is the same just the kit has two sticks

just look for another 8gb kingston same as you have. I haven't really seen any performance increase over 16GB when it comes to gaming. If you are doing Graphics design or video editing, the extra memory might help
 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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Feb 22, 2007
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First, Important question. What OS? I Know you have 64 Bit; However, If you have Windows 64Bit Home premium you have a problem - The OS Limits max RAM to 16 Gigs (Dumb move by uSofts). Need the Higher end Version to use >16 gigs.

Outside of that, as long as MB supports 8 Gig modules you should have no problem. You will not see a performance hit (outside of runing a benchmark) as far as I know as it appears they have the same timings @ 1.5V.
However Need to place the two sticks in the correct slots (As identified when only running two sticks. Test. Then add the 3rd single stick, Retest, as long as no problem you should be fine. NOTE the firt two sticks shoud run in daul channel mode while the 3rd stick would be limited to Single channel mode.

Added:
NOT a problem with Windows 8 as limit is 128 Gigs (512 gigs for the Prof and Enterprise vers).
Windows 7 - limits Jump from 16 Gig limit to 192 gigs for Prof and above.
SEE: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366778(v=vs.85).aspx
 
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Joshua Punu

Joshua Punu

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I have a single stick memory (8gb) and I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate.
 
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Joshua Punu

Joshua Punu

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Why would the same three sticks of memory cause instability? sorry i'm really new at this.

My 1st option really was going for another 8gb which cost Php3,500 or $88, until I saw the 16gb kit selling at P4,700 or $117.50 (thinking I can get 2x8gb). Then there goes compatibility issues. :(
 
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Joshua Punu

Joshua Punu

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I have Windows 7 Ultimate, I think this suffice. Am really new to this dual channel/ single channel modes. My RAM slots have blue and black colors, meaning the 16gb kit color should match? Will having the the existing stick on single channel drag down the pair?
 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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Would not let me download manual, However: in general:
Look in manual and it will Identify the prefered slots for installing two modules. Slots are normally 0,1,2,3 (I'm guessing but probably 0 & 2 are black with 0 being the closest to CPU and 1 & 3 are the blue ones) with the prefered slots being 1 & 3.

If this is the case then stick the two Modules (2 x 8) in slots 1 & 3. Place the single 8 module in slot 0.
Check manual as I could be A-double-s backwards!

On performance. My understanding is that the two (pair) would run in daul channel while the single stick will be in single channel mode. However one poster on a simular thread indicated that all three would run single channel.
1) Very simple to verify. Down load CPU-z, on the Memory tab (shows hou the Memory is running) it will show single/daul channel mode. Use the pull down and toggle thru each module.
2) My understanding is that there is NOT a big performance hit being in single channel - BUT the Best method would be to just install the two sticks and run your programs (skip benchmarks). Then add the 3rd stick and re-run your programs.
This will tell you conclusively if there is a NOTICABLE performance difference.

Link to CPU-Z: http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
 
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