Matching Same RAM but Different Capacities

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VonStalhein

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Sep 5, 2012
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Hi, I have a fairly specific problem, hoping someone can clarify for me.

I have 2x4gb of Corsair XMS3 1600mhz DDR3, with CL11 timings. I want to upgrade the quantity, but my Dark Rock 2 cooler is completely covering one of the spare DIMM slots.

My question is: can I buy a 1x8gb stick of the same RAM, rather than 2x4gb sticks, and put the new, single 8gb stick in the free, open slot. That is: can I run 2x4gb in one paired slot, and a 1x8gb stick of RAM in the remaining free slot? (Again: the RAM itself in each case is the same Corsair XMS 1600mhz CL11.)

Thank you very much in advance for any advice!
 
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Shneiky

Shneiky

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Aug 21, 2011
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Dual Channel is that important. The difference is in the 10-15 range or even 20% (synthetic benchmarks) difference. For games - I don't think you will notice it, but if you are doing any type of productivity work, then you can't just throw it out of the window. You can sell your 2x4 kit and buy a 2x8 kit. Or you can run 12 GBs. 12 GBs dual channel (also referenced as FLEX Dual Channel) is what I would pick over 16 Gbs with no dual c. Cheers.
 
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VonStalhein

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Sep 5, 2012
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Thanks @AMD.

@Shneiky: So is it the different capacity that will make it run in single-channel? I thought it would be having the fourth slot empty that would force single-channel? Sorry if my understanding is poor.

Slot 1 - 4gb (current)
Slot 2 -
Slot 3 - 4gb (current)
Slot 4 - blocked by CPU fan

Essentially, what is best for me to put in slot 2? Or am I better off taking the bullet and spending double the money on 2x8gb kit, chucking the existing RAM?

P.S. I use the PC for games and for audio production. I want to increase the RAM because the sample libraries I use have huge RAM requirements.
 
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Shneiky

Shneiky

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Aug 21, 2011
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If you are in Audio production - you want the dual channel. Your best option is to sell your 2x4 kit and get a 2x8 kit. Running single channel for any kind of productivity is degrading your performance so much, that at times you wish you would go back to the smaller amount of RAM.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
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Best is a single package of 2x8GB.....No guarantee mixing sticks will have them play together, however if they will play nice (might take minor voltage and/or timing adjustments) if you were to have the stick in slot 2 (your description) then they should all run in dual channel - the MC (memory controller) in the newer (including SB) looks for the TOTAL amount of DRAM in a given channel - not the number of sticks so you will have 8GB in each channel - hence dual channel for all 16GB. They also support flex mode, so if you had a 8GB in one channel and a 4GB in the other channel then you would be running 8GB in dual channel and the extra 4GB on the 8GB stick running in single channel. ;)
 
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AMD Radeon

AMD Radeon

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Dec 23, 2011
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it is a bit strange that someone has to sacrifice its ram setup just for a cooler

if possible, i would lift the FAN a bit high (a few mm) to allow putting ram on 4 slots
XMS3 isnt a tall ram though (it is the same as the blue heatsink ram on the left)
remove the fan. put the ram first, then put the fan back to Dark Rock 2 using the clip

Installation_2.jpg
 
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VonStalhein

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Sep 5, 2012
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@AMD Radeon: Yes, I did look into this. Could not find how to unclip the fan from the cooler... The attaching mechanism seemed pretty solid/unmoveable. I have emailed Be Quiet to ask if there is a way to do this. If I find that I can get RAM sticks under there afterwards, I'll go with a 2x4gb kit, rather than a 1x8gb kit. Thanks for all your help!
 
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