Upgrading from 8GB to 12GB

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Motoledo

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I have an ASRock Z77 Extreme4 motherboard with 8GB (2x4GB) of Mushkin RAM.

This has served me well in the couple years since I built this computer, but I'm finding myself doing a lot of Photoshop work with gigantic images. I'm often at the border of 8GB RAM. I wouldn't mind spending a bit more to get to 12GB; I doubt I'll need 16GB. Is there any reason not to get this 4GB Mushkin memory and plug it in? Yes, the timings and latencies are just slightly different.
 
Solution
geofelt
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.
Although, I think the problem has lessened with the newer Intel chipsets. Still,
it is safer to get what you need in one kit.

The 4gb you add, if it works will make all ram operate at the slower cas 9. In addition, the added stick will operate in single channel mode.
My suggestion is to sell your old kit and buy a new 2 x 8gb kit.
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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They're both SPD 1600Mhz modules @1.5v. If you manually set the latencies the same, they may work together, and they may not. Even identical modules that came off the assembly line together sometimes won't run side by side. Buying only matched pairs that have been tested to work together is the only way to guarantee compatibility.

All that being said, it's highly likely they'll be fine.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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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.
Although, I think the problem has lessened with the newer Intel chipsets. Still,
it is safer to get what you need in one kit.

The 4gb you add, if it works will make all ram operate at the slower cas 9. In addition, the added stick will operate in single channel mode.
My suggestion is to sell your old kit and buy a new 2 x 8gb kit.
 
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Solution
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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^^^^^Exactly. It's a much better option. Or, find another matched with the same part numbers, at least, to use together in the opposite channel so both pairs will be running in dual channel. Using identical part numbers, while no GUARANTEE, would at least maximize your chances for compatible operation.
 
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Motoledo

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I kind of expected that. I'll probably buy a new 2x8GB kit. Should I stick with the Mushkin 16GB, or is there a better deal that will work with the ASRock Z77 Extreme4?

Motherboard's memory stats:
Number of Memory Slots: 4×240pin
Memory Standard: DDR3 2800+(OC)/2400(OC)/2133(OC)/1866(OC)/1600/1333/1066
Maximum Memory Supported: 32GB
Channel Supported: Dual Channel
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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You want documented ram compatibility. If you should ever have a problem, you want supported ram.
Otherwise, you risk a finger pointing battle between the ram and motherboard support sites, claiming "not my problem".
One place to check is your motherboards web site.
Look for the ram QVL list. It lists all of the ram kits that have been tested with that particular motherboard.
Sometimes the QVL list is not updated after the motherboard is released.
For more current info, go to a ram vendor's web site and access their ram selection configurator.
Enter your motherboard, and you will get a list of compatible ram kits.
While today's motherboards are more tolerant of different ram, it makes sense to buy ram that is known to work and is supported.

The current Intel cpu's have an excellent integrated ram controller. It is able to keep the cpu fed with data from any speed ram.

The difference in real application performance or FPS between the fastest and slowest ram is on the order of 1-3%.

Synthetic benchmark differences will be impressive, but are largely irrelevant in the real world.

Fancy heat spreaders are mostly marketing too.

In fact tall heat spreaders are a negative because they can impact some cpu coolers.
Only if you are seeking record level overclocks should you consider faster ram or better latencies.

Read this Anandtech article on haswell memory scaling:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell
---------------bottom line------------

DDR3 1600 or 1866 1.5v low profile ram is what I would look for.
If anything, prefer low cas numbers over speed.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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With the Z77 Ex4, guessing you have an Ivy Bridge CPU (maybe Sandy Bridge), which will be the determing factor in what DRAM you can run. If you have a K model 1866/2133 would prob be best bet for all around computing in 2x8GB. I'd look at the Ripjaws X or GSkill Snipers
 
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Motoledo

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I remember now, I think I went for the Mushkin over the Ripjaws X originally because I'm using a Hyper 212 Plus. Maybe the fins wouldn't get in the way though. Processor is an i5-2500k.

If the 1.3V voltage on the 16GB Mushkin might be a problem, would the 1.6V voltage on the G.SKILL Sniper be a problem? Or should I stick with something with 1.5V? I'm not too concerned with incredible performance on the RAM, I just want reliability.
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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1.5-1.6v is a pretty safe range. Lower or higher could possibly start getting into some stability or compatibility issues I think. There's probably a little wiggle room there, but I'd stick to what's closest to the majority of the QVL models as far as specs go, not necessarily the models, but at least models with similar configurations.

If you may have clearance issues due to the RAM height, this might be a good choice in that case:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f32133c10d16gab

 
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