Adding another pair of memory to an existing pair

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TheBaddest

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Jul 19, 2013
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Hello,

my Windows 8 gaming rig is having a memory problem lately, and I'm thinking of upgrading it.

Specs:
Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB
GA-Z77X-D3H mobo
Windows 8.1 64bit

Can I add another exact same pair of 4GB memory in this setup?

Thanks.
 
Solution
Tradesman1
If you had them, I'd say give them a try, I've been working heavily with DRAM the last half dozen or more years (am a Admin on GSkill's forums also), and between voltage adjustments and adjusting the timings (base and advanced) can 'normally' get them to all play together, but it's not something I suggest people do , because there is no guarantee they can be made to play nice - usually, but not always.... ;) I normally suggest but a full set and then sell the old or use it in another rig
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TheBaddest

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Jul 19, 2013
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I don't intend to replace them yet as the memory problem only shows up when I'm on Chrome, it's taking too much memory just for a few tabs of video stream and Windows just keep saying I'm low on memory. Seeing that my old Win7 laptop with the same amount of memory has no problems with heavy multitasking, I guess there's something wrong with Win8?
I tried looking around about adding more memory to an existing one but they aren't specific enough to satisfy me.
 
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TheBaddest

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Jul 19, 2013
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That's why I asked before I buy them. I don't intend to spend more if they can't work together.
 
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jnewegger23

jnewegger23

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Aug 13, 2013
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With memory there are never any guarantees right? Anyhow, now that I understand better, how does your system indicate to you that your memory is low?
Like tradesman said there are no guarantees but adding the same exact pair is the next most likely successful pairing you can do next to buying a quad channel kit from the beginning but even that's not a guarantee. Nonetheless, your approach is what is most likely to work. How long have you had the current pair? Perhaps you can rma them?
First, let's try and figure out if there's a software setting that we can fix. Sometimes you can have a program causing a memory leak and being able to isolate that you can find a fix. If we can conclude that's not the issue then perhaps you can look at replacing the ram.
The easiest place to start is to run memtest and see if your ram is stable. Pass that first then let's look into any possible memory leaks. Is there any other info you may be leaving out that could help us help you better?
 
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TheBaddest

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Jul 19, 2013
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First time hearing that "no guarantees on memory" phrase...
Usually I game with Chrome still open in the background, and most of the time Windows gives me the "memory low, close programs to free up memory" dialog box right after the game started.



Did Memtest for an hour and 0 errors.
Problem started showing after I changed my SSD optimization (Samsung 840) to "maximum capacity" from "maximum reliability". Hibernation disabled.
On task manager it's going about 38% on idle with Chrome open.
Communications Service takes 110MB of memory, idk what that is.
RMAing seems like a last resort, so I'll hold on to that.
 
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jnewegger23

jnewegger23

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@Tradesman1 well said. Couldn't state it much better myself. The point I'm saying is that on reviews for even quad or dual channel kits you still find rma issues for having a 1 bad stick every so often. The manufacturers I guess do "guarantee them" by supposedly testing before shipping but even with that stuff happens but at least the manufacturer covers you.

@TheBaddest Glad to hear it passed memtest with 0 isssues. What game do you run when this happens? Does it happen on all games? Does it not happen with chrome off? Regardless, if you restart your cpu it should take longer before this happens again and your strategy of adding more of the exact ram is the most cost effective and probably your best bet. I was further researching your issue and found this:
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/A0Sj0dunWWw

You may or may not find some of that discussion germane to your predicament. I'm sure you have reason for keeping chrome on but it sounds like it could be the source of the issue and I cannot predict how more ram will improve your situation or just delay the issue if this indeed the actual case. Best of luck to you!

@Tradesman1 any better ideas?
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Jun 5, 2013
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If you had them, I'd say give them a try, I've been working heavily with DRAM the last half dozen or more years (am a Admin on GSkill's forums also), and between voltage adjustments and adjusting the timings (base and advanced) can 'normally' get them to all play together, but it's not something I suggest people do , because there is no guarantee they can be made to play nice - usually, but not always.... ;) I normally suggest but a full set and then sell the old or use it in another rig
 
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