mismatched dumb ram mistake made unstable system...is it a lost cause?

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Exergy

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Jul 6, 2014
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Hi all,

So i bought a crucial 8 gb (4 X 4) set, and added it to my system. I already had 4 GB ( 2 X 2). I didnt do my homework well, I just looked at the numbers on the MoB and installed the 2 sticks next to each other. This was wrong, they need to be in 1 and 3 and 2 and 4 to do that. Now my computer has crashed and won't boot to safe mode, and I have been banging my head on it for days over in the Avast forum.

I am running a GA H55 USB 3, it supports dual channel. I am going to reinstall Windows 7. What I am wondering is if it is possible or worth it to add the extra 4 GB of ram, in the extra slots, next to my new 8 GB. They are different voltage, timing, and brand, all is DDR3. I will of course reinstall, and set a restore point before I even try.

Worth it? Possible?
 
Solution
Tradesman1
Might try 1333 9-9-9-24 1.55 with all of them or stick with the 2x4GB sticks, don't think I'd try all at 1600 as the one sticks are 1.35 and the other 1.65, and might need 1.65 to run 1600, that more than I would run the 1.35 sticks at
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eklipz330

eklipz330

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Jul 7, 2008
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ive never actually heard of permanent damage due to mismatched sticks, so im thinking you should be ok. ram timings/frequency/voltage can all be adjusted via the bios, just bring the faster one down to the speed of the slower one.
 
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Exergy

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Jul 6, 2014
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Tried to do that, and it still wouldn't boot. I think I corrupted some windows files. I should mention that my system was unstable, and that I upgraded my BIOS via a legit windows BIOS updater. It was then fine and crashed after that...seems like likely the fact that I had things running in bad pairs may be the answer? I am in the middle of the Windows 7 clean install. Since you offered, here we go:

The 8 GB set is:

8 GB, (4 X 4) CT3578323 BLS2K4G3D1609ES2LX0.000 UPGRADE FOR A GIGA-BYTE GA-H55-USB3 SYSTEM

I have them in the box now for reinstall.

The other two are:

Corsair CMX4GX3M2A16009, 1600 Mhz 4 GB (2 X 2) 9-9-9-24 1.65V ver 2.3

thanks for the help!
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Jun 5, 2013
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Might try 1333 9-9-9-24 1.55 with all of them or stick with the 2x4GB sticks, don't think I'd try all at 1600 as the one sticks are 1.35 and the other 1.65, and might need 1.65 to run 1600, that more than I would run the 1.35 sticks at
 
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Solution
E

Exergy

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Jul 6, 2014
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4,510


I will give that a try. I am in my new windows install now...which is a relief already. I will try that config after I get a few things set up and my backup system in place.

Do you think it is worth the hit in speed to get the extra 4 GB?

Thanks.

 
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Karadjgne

Karadjgne

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Dec 26, 2012
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It's never usually a good idea to mix and match ram and the further away from identical you get, the harder it gets to get them to play nice. While someone like Tradesman1 (hes as good as it gets when it comes to ram) could probably do it with minimal performance loss, the average Joes like us are much better off with sticking to the 8 Gb and calling it a day. Unless you are into the 3d rendering stuff, 8Gb @1600 is good enough, and will perform better than 12Gb at 1333.
 
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