Could I do this without damaging the motherboard?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
I

IcyBoobs

Reputable
Jan 31, 2015
9
0
4,510
Hi, I have a LGA 1150 Sabertooth Z87 motherboard, currently I only have two corsair vengeance 8gb with the timing of 9-9-9-24

Now I have decided that I need 16 gigs of ram instead of 8, but I am not sure if I can pair two different timings of ram without damaging the motherboard. The ram I'm looking to buy is the Corsair dominator platnium 8gb with a timing of 9-10-9-27

(yes they have different timings)

Is it possible that I can pair these two rams (well, four technically) without causing any motherboard damage? I also noticed that the ram I currently have installed has DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) and the one I want has DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900)

Thanks
 
Solution
V


You're more likely to get two sets that work together by buying multiple kits, but there is a decent chance that there are minor...
Sort by date Sort by votes
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,301
4,146
174,240
Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.

If it works, you will run at the specs of the lower rated stick.
And, 4 sticks are harder to manage, so you may have to up the voltage to make them run.

My advice is to sell the old kit and replace it with a 2 stick 16gb kit of 1866 speed.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I

IcyBoobs

Reputable
Jan 31, 2015
9
0
4,510


So the timing, pc3, all of that stuff doesn't matter? as long as they're the same voltages my motherboard should automatically detect them and put them at the same speeds? if thats the case. I can sell the pair I have now (like geofelt said) and just get 4 sticks of dominator platinum rather than 2. But if I didn't sell them, are you 100% sure I can still pair these with just the 2?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

viewtyjoe

Reputable
Jul 28, 2014
1,132
0
5,960


You're more likely to get two sets that work together by buying multiple kits, but there is a decent chance that there are minor timing issues that will cause them to not work together if the motherboard automatically tries to configure the settings. If that's the case, then you'll have to manually find a timing that both sets like, which is tedious at best.

Your best bet is always to get a 4 DIMM kit if you want 4 DIMMs that work together, since you know they're picked to work together on a motherboard together.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
I

IcyBoobs

Reputable
Jan 31, 2015
9
0
4,510
yeah you're probably right viewtyjoe, pairing different rams wouldn't be the best bet anyway, cause most builds I see have either four ram sticks thats the same or only 2 of the same.

Thanks! :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,301
4,146
174,240
If you want 16gb on a lga1150 motherboard, it is best to buy a single kit of 2 x 8gb ram.
Two reasons:
1. It is easier for a motherboard to manage 2 sticks vs. 4.
2. A 2 stick kit will cost less because it is more difficult for a ram vendor to bin 4 sticks that match than 2 sticks. They need to charge more for that.
Even if you gat a 4 stick kit, you will still be operating in 2 channel mode.

And... vengeance is a marketing brand.
Vendors have found that they can get more for fancy heat spreaders.
Ram does not need ANY heat spreaders at all. Possibly excepting record seeking ram overclockers.
Buy low profile ram. You will avoid any conflict with cpu coolers.



 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom