What RAM can I use to upgrade my system?

RaymondSWalters · Oct 1, 2014

At the moment I have 2x4GB Crucial Ballistix RAM (BLS2CP4G3D1609DS1S00CEU) and I want to upgrade to 16GB. MUST I add two more of exactly the same RAM or can I add 8 GB of another RAM type?
Ps. My motherboard can support 32GB RAM with 4 slots and I am having trouble finding the exact model RAM I have (I don't live in America)

Thanks in advance

LukaBoki · Oct 1, 2014

You need to add the exact same RAM,but no one can guarantee that those new 2 DIMMs will work with your current ones.

kapitalistas · Oct 1, 2014

depends what applications you wanna run ,but 8gb more tha enough.you wanna get same speed ram can be different brand.

RaymondSWalters · Oct 1, 2014

LukaBoki :

Thanks for the quick reply
I wil have to look harder for that RAM...

JackNaylorPE · Oct 1, 2014

No one, not even the original manufacturer will gurantee that adding 8 GB more will work, and yes even if it is the exact same make and model. reasons:

1. The sets are tested for compatibility before packaging so if it ain't in the same package no guarantee.

2. The "same make and model" recommendation is generally made cause logic dictates that compatibility will be greatest with same speed, same timings, same modules same everything. However, manufacturer's oft switch suppliers in mid-stream ..... the Corsair Vengeance Pros originally had Hynix modules, then they switched to another brand.

3. You have a shot at mixing and matching provided you default to the slower of the pair's speed and timings. I bought 2 pairs of GSkill once as they were the only kits available at the time fr twp old boxes whose users wanted upgrades. All had same speed and timings.

2 Mushkin + 2 Gskill = No Go
2 Corsair + 2 Gskill = No Go

2 Gskill + 2 GSkill = Success
2 Mushkin + 2 Corsair = Success

4. All that being said, I have oft gotten mixed pairs to work , again at same speed / timings and as oft as not requireing a little extra voltage.

InvalidError · Oct 1, 2014

You do not "need" to add the exact same RAM but it usually does improve your chances.

In principle, you should be able to throw in any same-type DIMMs in there and in the worst case, you may need to use overall timings that are worse than the worst individual DIMM to make it work. In practice, some configurations, even all-identical, just do not want to work together due to odd BIOS, motherboard, CPU, DIMM, DRAM IC or other quirk.

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What RAM can I use to upgrade my system?

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