Does added memory have to be exact?

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xdrumline1

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Mar 19, 2014
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I have an HP Pavilion p7-1414. I currently have 4Gb + 2GB of memory. I about about to replace the 2GB with 8GB.

Specs:
Memory6 GB
•Amount: 6 GB
•Speed: PC3-12800 MB/sec
•Type: DDR3-1600
Memory upgrade information
•Dual channel memory architecture
•Four 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets
•Supports DDR3 DIMMs
•PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333)
•PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600)
•PC3-14400 (DDR3-1866)
•Non-ECC memory only, unbuffered
•Supports 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB DIMMs
•Supports up to 4 GB on 32-bit systems

My question is, how much does the added memory need to be identical to the original memory?

I read on a post from HP forums, that the installed memory has a CAS # of 11.

This matches: http://www.frys.com/product/6709205?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

But I am looking at this memory for almost $20 cheaper after a MIR: http://www.frys.com/product/7275373?site=sa:adpages page:p10_WED date:031914


Thanks

 
Solution
WhiteSnake91
honestly you're fine, as ram speeds go up timings go up and in the end the user is left with something they really can't feel. You could go with the cheapest reliable ram you can, it's recommended to at least get the same timings.

Like if you had 9-9-9-24 ram at 1333mhz in your pc and you bought more ram that's at 9-9-9-24 and 1600mhz, the faster ram will just downclock itself to the slower speed, supposed to be the same with timings as well, if you have slower timings in your ram now like 11-11-11-30 and you add 9-9-9-24 ram, that ram will just put itself at 11-11-11-30 ,etc.

Back before I had a gaming pc I had an old windows xp desktop and I mixed and matched all types of ram and never had a single problem.
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4Ryan6

4Ryan6

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Apr 14, 2002
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Just to say that Tradesman1 is absolutely correct in what he told you, even though HP mixed the memory in your machine from the factory?, and to a certain extent I find that hard to comprehend?, and a little baffling as to why HP would do that?, but I would assume HP has given you as close as possible to a bulletproof motherboard as far as memory is concerned?

That said you're running Win8 64bit operating system and honestly 6g of memory is OK, but it's not a killer machine so to a certain extent I'm wondering why you think you need to change or add memory in the first place?

I'm going to give you a suggestion that may seem bizarre to you but that is to replace the existing mismatched 4gb/2gb = 6gb in your machine with a matched set of 2 x 4gb = 8gb, now here's what will seem bizarre going with 1333mhz speed but running Cas7 capable modules that are timed at 7,7,7,21 at 1.50v, the kit below.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231440

Occupying only the primary dual channel slots which will be the same color (more than likely the Black Slots), you do not have to occupy all 4 memory slots just because you have them, for excellent performance the primary dual channel slots is all you need occupied, and 8gb of system memory is perfect for Win8 64bit operating system.

The memory I linked is some of the best you can lay hands on, it's 1333mhz performance at cas 7, rivals 2133mhz at cas 11, (And it runs cooler!), so for what it's worth the decision is up to you, I linked Newegg because Frys does not carry G.Skill, that I could find.

Good luck to you, In whatever you decide to do! Ryan
 
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xdrumline1

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Thanks for the input Ryan. No, HP did not put in mixed memory. They put in 4GB & 2GB = 6GB. I will be taking out the 2GB & add an additional 8GB to = 12GB total. However, in HP forums, one poster was looking to do the same thing I am. He was told to go specifically with CAS 11 memory to avoid any problems.

I have had 2 other desktops & 2 laptops that I have increased the memory. When I have increased the memory, I never bothered to look at the CAS #. I just matched the speed. Never had a problem. Now I am reading that if you don't match it spec for spec, it causes problems. So, has something changed?

Why go with 8GB? Well, because its cheaper than 16GB (~$80 vs ~$160, and why not keep the 4GB in the other slots and have a total of 12GB?



I am doing some video editing with Magix Movie Edit Pro. I have read to improve the speed & efficiency, add memory & install an SSD. Right now, memory is the cheapest move. 6GB is ok, but more would help out.

Thanks

 
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WhiteSnake91

WhiteSnake91

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Jun 16, 2013
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honestly you're fine, as ram speeds go up timings go up and in the end the user is left with something they really can't feel. You could go with the cheapest reliable ram you can, it's recommended to at least get the same timings.

Like if you had 9-9-9-24 ram at 1333mhz in your pc and you bought more ram that's at 9-9-9-24 and 1600mhz, the faster ram will just downclock itself to the slower speed, supposed to be the same with timings as well, if you have slower timings in your ram now like 11-11-11-30 and you add 9-9-9-24 ram, that ram will just put itself at 11-11-11-30 ,etc.

Back before I had a gaming pc I had an old windows xp desktop and I mixed and matched all types of ram and never had a single problem.
 
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Solution
Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Jun 5, 2013
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When you add new DRAM it goes to the mobos default, it doesn't match whatever DRAM you you already have nor does it match things up to the slowest stick in there, unless of course that stick is at mobo defaults, that info basically went out along with DDR2. Once at the deault, it's up to the user to set the sticks at their optimal or leave them at the mobos default
 
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