Thinking about upgrading to 8GB of Ram

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Fouchey

Fouchey

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I don't know very much about the hardware side of Ram, but I do know I have 2 slots and only one filled right now. I'm guessing I can't just buy any 4GB and install it. Right now I have 4GB (4GBx1) DDR3-1333 SODIMM Memory occupying 1 out of the 2 slots right now. What do I have to know exactly?
 
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Azn Cracker




nope its perfectly...
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Azn Cracker

Azn Cracker

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Actually you can just by another 4gb stick and put it in there. just make sure its the same type (i.e DDR3)

its also recommended that the Ram have the same frequency and timings, but if they dont the computer will handle it for you. You just wont get the full performance.

What are the specs of your pc? I doubt adding ram will result in much of an increase in performance.
 
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kewlguy239

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well, that's one problem right there. running a single dim of memory doesn't take advantage of dual channel performance. if you can get the exact same model of ram that's already in the system, you will see a definite performance increase. I wouldn't recommend mixing/matching brands and timings as your system CAN handle it but you lose a great deal of performance. Buy a whole new 8gb kit. you can get one for about $70 on newegg.com.
 
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Fouchey

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Yeah you're probably right, but I'm always at like 75%+ usage. Plus I use it for gaming and I used to think 4 was great and now it's starting to get low for it. I'll post my specs when I get home though.


So I take it it's a bad idea to just buy 1 if I could find it?
 
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Azn Cracker

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nope its perfectly fine. just get one that has the same frequency and timings. If you can find the same exact model, but they might cost a little more.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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What's the model # of what you have, mixing sticks, even of the same exact model can be problematic especially if 1600 and above and especially with AMD if running AMD, really need to know what CPU, mobo and the stick you have to make an informed decision - otherwise may be looking at having to turn around and return it
 
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Fouchey

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Oh okay, I kind of figured. I'll check when I get home from work.
 
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Azn Cracker

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i have heard of stuff like that happening but its uncommon. I have 2 different brands of ram in the laptop. In my old desktop (im using it right now) i have memory with different brand, frequency, and timing (it was cheap). It works fine. Plus its an AMD athlon cpu. So my message to OP is find the same one if possible and if it's about the same price. But if thats not possible, don't worry about going with another brand.
 
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Tradesman1

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It is uncommon with with 1333 and below, of if don't mind running underclocked or at less than optimal, but dealing and working with DRAM every day, it even happens with older DDR2...todays DRAM is sold in so many different packages of different amounts of sticks for a reason - the sticks in a package are tested to work together, tolerances are so tight, you might pull 20 consecutive sticks out of a production lot, and only find 4 that work together and play nice to make one 4 stick set, getting 2 sticks to play nice is easier, three a little harder, 4 mentioned 6 harder and 8 hardest yet.....If it was as easy as just throwing any two sticks together as long as they had the same specs then the manufacturers would just package individual sticks and charge a little less per stick and make tons more money....the reason they don't is they would be inundated even more than they are with having to process RMAs, because people have listened to all these 'experts', tell them 'Yeah no problem, just stick another similar stick in there'......as is, of the DRAM that 'doesn't work' and is RMAed appr 80+ % has absolutely nothing wrong with it, it's from people listening to these 'experts' and mixing sticks and also listening to the 'experts' tell them they can run say 2400 sticks because it says so on the mobo ads, when they have an entry level CPU that can only run 1333....so if you ever see ANYONE telling somebody 'yeah it's fine to run those sticks' without knowing the CPU and the mobo, then it's a person who has no idea what he's talking about, most of this is just common sense.
 
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Azn Cracker

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Well you are telling OP to spend almost twice as much money by buying a whole new set. That is why i told OP to try and find the same module, if it is much more expensive or not available, its worth a try with a different module. The chances of two sticks not working together are not high, otherwise why would these 'experts' say its ok? It's not like the computer will spontaneously combust if the ram sticks don't play well together so the only thing OP would lose in this ordeal is some time and tape.

 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Which is why I used 'experts' in quotes, they've had success once or twice with low freq DRAM...I'm just letting OP know of possible pitfalls....buy the DRAM, it doesn't play nice, have yo RMA (maybe pay postage), maybe pay a restocking fee, might be a place with no returns on open packages, then where are you.....this happens every day, to many people, sure it might work and often does can in low freq, but are you willing to reimburse someone for their cost if it doesn't?
 
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Azn Cracker

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yea ill send them a check, but i will send too much and then ill ask them to send some of the back. Or maybe ill say they have to pay me a transaction fee before i send the money because i am the prince of nigeria.

Anyways thats why you choose a reseller that has good customer support. Also are you assuming OP is running 2400 mhz on a laptop? of course not. Most likely it is 1333mhz or 1600mhz so according to your facts it should be safe.

Also in this case, you have to weigh in the benefits and the pitfalls.

benefit: OP saves money and everyone is happy besides you
Pitfall: ram doesnt work and OP has to RMA (assume this is unlikely)

Well, it seems the benefits outweigh the pitfalls.
----

Everything has chances of going wrong. I mean when you walk outside, you can get shot. I would start wearing some body armor if I were you.
 
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Tradesman1

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Will be out for a few hours, will check when back


Azn Cracker
Take a look through the forums, I've tried to help over 70 people (from a fast scan) that have DRAM problems from mixing sets/sticks, an many we've been able to get running - how bout all the ones that don't come here? That's why about 80-85% of sticks that are returned/RMAed are perfectly fine
 
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Azn Cracker

Azn Cracker

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And how much are rma'd total?

 
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Tradesman1

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Apparently enough to keep two people (or more busy all day) , a couple manufacturers have two man shops that just handle RMAs here in their Stateside support group, some also have their main HQ operations for RMAs and some have European sites also - so I'd say a lot
 
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Azn Cracker

Azn Cracker

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yep a lot is a lot indeed. well since you seem to know more about ram I'll stop posting on this thread.

--

but i do suggest that you (OP) just buy another 4gb from your local computer store and try it out. that way its easy return if it doesnt work out. still would be much cheaper than buying another 8 gb set.

also you could have just plugged in your system info onto their site to find you most compatible ram
http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/system_specific/desktop_notebook/
 
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