Compatibility of RAM Between Different Kits

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Gunmetal_61

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Jun 12, 2014
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Hello,
In one of my machines, I used to have a 2x8GB set of Corsair Vengeance LP (Low Profile) RAM installed, but as of now, one of of the modules has been transferred to another computer. I've been considering getting another 8GB DIMM to replace the one I had to move, and I'm just wondering if there would be any problems if I got the equivalent 1x8GB kit from Corsair and mixed it in. I think it shouldn't (they have identical timings, voltages, clock speeds), but I just really want to make sure as some of the differences in their serial numbers I can't make out. Here they are:


1x8GB Kit:
CML8GX3M1A1600C9

2x8GB Kit:
CML16GX3M2A1600C9

The way I understand it (from left to right), is that the "CM" represents something like "Corsair Memory Low (Profile)", the "8" and respective "16" stands for the total RAM capacity in the package, and the "1600C9" stands for 1600MHz, CAS 9. I just don't know what the M2A1/M1A1 stands for. Does it hint towards a revision model that might cause some problems?

Yes, I understand that I could just put the new stick into the other machine and move the original pair back into the first machine, but I'd like to keep everything compatible for the sake of future adjustments (I might dismantle one machine, so the RAM could be reused) and I'm just plain curious. Thanks.

EDIT: Perhaps "M2" stands for number of modules/DIMMS?
 
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byza

byza

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They will work together fine. Stick it in. You can even use different brands together with different timings without problems, it just adjusts to the slowest module but since you found the same timings, voltages and even brand there won't be a problem at all.

Also i'd guess the M1A/M2A (the second 1 is from 1600) is 1 ram module vs 2 ram modules.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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Hi,
Why don't you just buy another 8GB stick, but swap it for the stick in the "other" machine so you can have your original 2x8GB setup back so no potential compatibility issues?

As for "They will work together fine" there's simply no guarantee. They MAY WORK FINE. They MAY have issues.

It's especially WORSE with different timings and frequencies. So here's the breakdown:

1) Best support - identical sticks
2) 2nd best support - two different sticks of SAME frequency and CAS (i.e. both 1600MHz CAS9)
3) 3rd best support - two different sticks with DIFFERENT frequency and CAS

When you get to #3 the chance of problems increases quite a bit. It's absolutely not true that you can mix and match memory without potential problems. Just GOOGLE that. It's common knowledge.
____________________________________

+1 Well put, always best to buy the full amount you need in a single package...even packages of the same exact model can be and often is problematic....Don't know of a single DRAM manufacturer that will recommend mixing DRAM let alone guarantee it.....Sor of wish the people that pop in with their 'advice' on this and say it will be no problem could be made to provide a guarantee, the fact that you may run into RMA fees, shipping fees, restocking fees, etc doesn't mean a thing to them...not to mention if there are problems you are still stuck short of how much DRAM you want/need
 
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byza

byza

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My bad, I've always been told that different sticks work but they slow down to match. I've even done it in desperate times without any issues, but I do understand that there could be problems. Even things that are supposed to work together don't aways do what they say, and mixing sticks isn't recommended. But given that both sticks are same brand, size, frequency and timings, I can't see that there would be an issue. It's highly likely that they are the same model. Even if they weren't the same model i'd still stick it in and see if it works ok or not before messing around with another computer, but thats just me. If you don't have access to the other computer anymore and you're really worried, shoot Corsair support an email and see what they've got to say.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
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DDR was pretty easy, DDR2 was pretty easy also, then as more different memory chips became available and manufacturers began to put out faster DRAM it got harder, with DDR3 - the original specs put out by JEDEC only called for freqs up through 1600, and look at DRAM today, JEDEC is so far behind, there were tons of 1866 and 2133 sticks long before JEDEC published 'official' specs. Further tolerances are so tight, even DRAM of the same exact models won't always play, you might pull 10 consecutive sticks off an assembly line and maybe, can find four sticks to make a full package of 4 that all play nice, the rest end up going to 1 or 2 stick packages
 
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Gunmetal_61

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Jun 12, 2014
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Thanks for the info. Just wanted more outside opinions on this. Might still get another set of 2x8GB instead though, I'm planning to make the hardware last a while between a set of systems and it's best if everything is intercompatible. I don't know when I'll need it: as we use more and more RAM these days for the bare essentials, I might retire a slower system or something and put all the RAM into one computer.
 
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