Building a kit using single memory sticks

noisywan · Jun 4, 2013

I just want to know if it's ok to use 3 x 4GB sticks below (each sold separately) instead of 12 GB (3x4GB) kit package. The sticks in this kit looks identical with the ones sold separately but I have a doubt about it due to the tech sheets on Kingston web site. I have compared two sheets and noticed that there is a "Posted CAS" property in Features section of the `12GB` Kit that is not mentioned in the `4GB stick`. I have no idea what that is...

Single stick
http://www.kingston.com/datasheets/KHX1600C9D3_4G.pdf

3 sticks kit
http://www.kingston.com/datasheets/khx1600c9d3k3_12gx.pdf

Does anyone know if the memory sticks in the 3-sticks-kit above are %100 identical with the ones sold as single?

Thanks

Mobo: Sabertooth x58
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_X58/#specifications

Legohouse · Jun 4, 2013

Hello,

Yes, the Triple channel memory kit is identical with the one that is sold as a single stick. As far as I know, all you need to be concerned is about the CL timings, voltage, Clock speed. I do not know what is the exact feature of Posted CAS but this article might help - Posted CAS <<-- Click here

Note: Triple-channel architecture is a technology implemented on motherboards by the motherboard manufacturer and does not apply to memory modules. The architecture can only be used when all three, or a multiple of three, memory modules are identical in capacity and speed, and are placed in three-channel slots.

Since, you need 3 memory modules I think going with 3 x 4GB module is same as purchasing the tri-channel kit. Hope that helps. Good luck with the upgrade. :sourire:

noisywan · Jun 8, 2013

Legohouse :

Thanks for your reply. After posting here, I also contacted Kingston tech support and here is what they say;

KHX1600C9D3K3/12GX and KHX1600C9D3 are the same but if the D-RAM chips differ then it may throw off the dual channel mode or triple channel mode depending on if you're installing in two's or in three's.

We sell in kits so that modules are identical with one another. This is necessary when you have to install in pairs for dual channel or in three's for triple channel mode.If you purchase separately and the D-RAM chips differ from one another then they may run in single channel mode as opposed to dual channel or triple channel.

We have to make modules using different D-RAM chip manufacturers. Sorry but we can't depend on one as they are not always readily available so we have to use different one. And because dual channel and triple channel modes require the modules to be built identical that is why we sell in sets. Please know that dual channel and triple channel modes come from the motherboard manufacturers and it's their implementation. So therefore we have to cater to their implementations.

It depends on how finicky the motherboard really is. Putting in unmatched pairs does not mean it will automatically run in single channel mode. It really depends on the machine. While it's not a problem in some, it can be in others.

Tradesman1 · Jun 8, 2013

What the rep said is exactly right, ANY time you mix package s of DRAM it can be problematic, not only might you get sticks from different production lots or with different ICs, but in particular with sticks 1600 and above that have XMP profiles, the profile is by the given package...i.e. for 1, 2, 3, 4,6, 8 sticks etc so the advanced timings will differ from set to set, the most drastic example is the tRFC , in a 2 stick set of 8GB sticks a package may call for a tRFC of 208 while a 4 stick package may require a tRFC of 314 - so in effect if you mix them you may need to know how to deal with the advanced timings. Another thing that comes into play is that mixed set (again, even same exact model) might differ ever so slightly that it will require voltage changes to the DRAM itself or the MC (memory controller) to reach a stable platform - and there are times the sticks won't play together at all. Hope this helps

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Building a kit using single memory sticks

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