Getting new RAM

krj38

Reputable
Nov 25, 2014
8
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4,510
Hello.

As a noob who heard something, I want to verify some information.

I currently own 4GB 1333 RAM (Kingston) in dual channel (2x 2GB in one box, that's dual channels isn't it?). I'm planning to buy an additional 4GB of RAM, but the market has changed and I stumbled upon two problems.

1. 1333 RAM are more expensive than 1600. Can I get the 1600 ones instead without 'harm' to my PC? Will the 1600s "downtune" to the 1333s and the PC will work smoothly?

2. There's a problem finding 2x 2GB of RAM. Will one 4GB memory stick work similarly good to the 2x 2GB? That way, I'd have one free slot for future upgrades. Or I should rather go with the 2x 2GB?
 
Solution
If the sticks will play together, would suggest placing them like this Slot 1 (closest to the CPU) 4GB, then the 2GB sticks in slots 3 and 4 this will put 4GB in each channel and if the mobo supports Flex mode (Intel) or AMDs adaption of Flex, then all 4 will run in dual channel (4 GB in each channel)...then if you add another 4GB go (from CPU) 4GB, 2GB, 4GB 2GB to put 6GB in each channel and keep dual channel mode ;)

krj38

Reputable
Nov 25, 2014
8
0
4,510
Sorry for bringing this up again, but at first I thought I'm going to forfeit buying new memories, but now I'm getting back to the idea. I also found matching RAMs, so that solves a part of my problem. But I want to clarify something.

I'll try to illustrate my question. This is what I have right now in my PC. The [brackets] are ram slots, and as you can see I have two 2GB sticks.

[2 GB] [ x ] | [2 GB] [ x ]

I want to extent to 8GB. And here's the question: can I buy one 4GB dice and will it work with the others, if I put it like this:

[2 GB] [4 GB] | [2 GB] [ x ]

This way I would have still one free slot for future upgrades, if they would be necessary. But I'm afraid that it "won't work". Are my fears legitimate?

Or should I get 4GB in two dice to have two dual channel 4GBs?

[2 GB] [2 GB] | [2 GB] [2 GB]
 

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
If the sticks will play together, would suggest placing them like this Slot 1 (closest to the CPU) 4GB, then the 2GB sticks in slots 3 and 4 this will put 4GB in each channel and if the mobo supports Flex mode (Intel) or AMDs adaption of Flex, then all 4 will run in dual channel (4 GB in each channel)...then if you add another 4GB go (from CPU) 4GB, 2GB, 4GB 2GB to put 6GB in each channel and keep dual channel mode ;)
 
Solution

krj38

Reputable
Nov 25, 2014
8
0
4,510
Just in case, the model of the motherboard is asus p8h67-M pro and I have no idea if it suports Flex, gotta check that out. And many thanks for your answer. I wouldn't have thought of that.