Two different size ram sticks mixing in dual channel

screappy

Reputable
Aug 26, 2014
98
0
4,630
So would it be a problem if I mix Kingston 2GB, DDR3, 1600MHz, Non-ECC, CL11, 1.5V
and Kingston HyperX FURY Blue 4GB, DDR3, 1600MHz, CL10, 1.5V . I've also noticed that they have different "CL",but the good this is they are the same brand,same voltage and same MHz.
The motherboard is asrock 970 pro3 r2.0.I really want to know if this is going to be an issue.
 
Solution
Your slowest RAM has 1600-11 timing while your better DIMM can do 1600-10 so your best chances of getting a working setup would be to go with the more conservative settings of the two and that would be 1600-11.

In any case, if whatever you are doing needs more than 4GB RAM, the extra 2GB should make things a fair bit faster regardless of how much slower that extra 2GB might be. Between 1600-10 and 1600-11, the performance difference in most cases is miniscule so there is nothing to really worry about there. Additionally, with only a single 2GB or 4GB DIMM as you have now, you are already running single-channel so you take no additional performance hit from running interleaved instead of single-channel there.

InvalidError

Titan
Moderator
Asymmetric channel configuration will cause the board to operate memory in lower-performance interleaved mode and since the memory controller only supports one set of timings for all installed RAM, all your memory will have to follow the weakest DIMM's timings.

Aside from that, it should work unless you run into odd interoperability issues that nobody can predict.
 

Trenchcoat

Honorable
May 7, 2013
732
0
11,160
It'll work but at the lowest settings between the two modules. You will lose the extra 2 gig and extra memory cycle.

I know some games require 6GB of ram but you can't just buy a single similar stick of ram and hope for the best. Dual channel memory works in multiples of 2, not 6 or 3, just 2.

So when the game said you need 6gb of RAM it really meant 8GB
 

screappy

Reputable
Aug 26, 2014
98
0
4,630
So I didn't fully understood what you've just said,but If I am with these 6 GB Ram (4 and 2) It'll be better than just 4GB Right?Because you said that it'll follow the weakest DIMM's timings (which i'm not sure what means).Sorry for my ignorance,I'm just not that familiar with these things and It's going to be my first build so..yeah.
 

Trenchcoat

Honorable
May 7, 2013
732
0
11,160


Quite the opposite. It's worse. You have an effective 4GB of ram that runs slower due to timing differences.
 

InvalidError

Titan
Moderator
Your slowest RAM has 1600-11 timing while your better DIMM can do 1600-10 so your best chances of getting a working setup would be to go with the more conservative settings of the two and that would be 1600-11.

In any case, if whatever you are doing needs more than 4GB RAM, the extra 2GB should make things a fair bit faster regardless of how much slower that extra 2GB might be. Between 1600-10 and 1600-11, the performance difference in most cases is miniscule so there is nothing to really worry about there. Additionally, with only a single 2GB or 4GB DIMM as you have now, you are already running single-channel so you take no additional performance hit from running interleaved instead of single-channel there.
 
Solution

screappy

Reputable
Aug 26, 2014
98
0
4,630
Thanks to both of you,unfortunately can't pick 2 solutions..sorry about that and I decided to go with 4GB and upgrade it later with another 4GB.I think it'll be the best choice.Well I can go with 3x2GB but in my country its just not worth it.
 

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
A lot of misinformation being offered first thing to think about is that the Fury isn't made to run with the 970s, it doesn't normal XMP profiles, it depends on PnP, and is made with high density Memory chips, so chances are good it may simply be a waste of your time. Also DRAM, if it will even work together will run at what you set it at, it's not limited to to lowest settings of one or the lower, that went by the wayside years ago, i.e. just had a rig where they had mixed sets and couldn't get them to play at all (1866/9 and 2133/10 stick), these are now happily running at 2133/9
 

screappy

Reputable
Aug 26, 2014
98
0
4,630
I've asked them and they answered me that is compatible - http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search/Default.aspx?DeviceType=7&Mfr=ASR&Line=Motherboard&Model=80343&Description=Kingston_ValueRam_Memory_HyperX_Memory_for_ASR_Motherboard_ASRock_-_Motherboard_970_Pro3_
 

mmcgregor

Distinguished
Dec 20, 2009
2
0
18,510

You might not loose the extra 2GB on the 4GB stick. It may still show 6GB in the BIOS and all will be available, but it will use them in non-dual channel mode meaning the memory bandwidth might be lower; as much as half than dual channel since dual channel will pull from both modules at the same time and interleave memory on the both sticks. That depends of course on the motherboard and and how it deals with the memory. Depending on the OS, however, you may still loose the other 2GB if the OS is 32-bit; limit typically of 4GB RAM due to 32-bit addressing. The computer might show 6GB in BIOS and at the boot screen, but Windows, if 32-bit or a limited version OS (like starter), might only show 4GB; or even 3, 3.25, 3.5, or some odd number less than 4GB.
 

Ricky_Blaze87

Commendable
Feb 18, 2016
1
0
1,510


hate to break it to you but 6 is a multiple of 2 .... lmao unless your one of those common core chodes , jp i hate that crap though