Using a third RAM chip

Meruem

Reputable
Mar 18, 2015
2
0
4,510
Hi guys!

I've been playing H1Z1 a lot on my computer lately, but I am constantly dealing with lag problems. I am pretty certain myself, that it is because of the RAM, and it is not the GPU's fault, so I decided to purchase another RAM chip.
Just to be certain you can answer my question, I'll provide you with my PC specs:
CPU: Intel I3-540 clocked at 3.10 GHz
GPU: HD4830
RAM: A-DATA 2x2GB 1333 mhz
Motherboard: Asus P7H55

Lately, a friend of mine gave me a 1GB 1333 Mhz DDR3 RAM module, which I installed onto my PC. The thing with it is, I do in fact experience less lag in H1Z1, but it comes at a price.The new RAM is different and older than my stock one and for some reason, when it is in my PC, it causes my USB headset to disconnect randomly, which is very, very annoying. This only happens when I am in a game ( any game ). So to get to my actual question, do you guys have any idea what causes that and is it because of the 1GB chip being different and older than the stock ram I have in my PC. Are there any possibilities for that to happen if I purchase a 2GB ram stick which is the same as my stock RAM? And there is one more thing, which I am really not certain of... I heard that the DIMM modules on the motherboard are dual-channel or something, so will that be a problem if I insert a third chip which works alone and not in a channel with another RAM module?

Thank you in advance!
 

Epsilon_0EVP

Honorable
Jun 27, 2012
1,350
1
11,960
RAM can be tricky. It needs to match properly for the system to work properly. So it is very possible that by putting in a stick of different RAM, we're now getting instability in the computer.

Do be aware that even adding the same sticks is not guaranteed to work. Kits of RAM are properly matched to make sure they will work together. Buying the same RAM helps your chances they will work properly, but there is still a chance they will not co-operate.

As for dual-channel mode, just make sure to populate matching sticks in the dual-channel slots in your motherboard. Usually they are the matching color ones, but you should check your motherboard manual to make sure.
 

spdragoo

Splendid
Ambassador
Most likely you're getting a double whammy of having lost your dual-channel rate, plus it sounds like the 1GB stick has different timings. Getting a 3rd 2GB stick that matches your stock sticks will eliminate any timing differences. For best results, though, if you have 4 RAM slots get 2 more RAM sticks to also get back your dual-channel speeds.
 

Meruem

Reputable
Mar 18, 2015
2
0
4,510
Ok so I found a pretty neat deal for an A-DATA 2GB DDR3 RAM, however it is 1600 mhz. I know that it will get downgraded to match my other memory sticks, but does it have any other differences other than that, for example the timings? Been searching on google but couldn't find any info on that.