One memory stick is dead, what to do now?

iLuisGM

Honorable
Nov 11, 2013
2
0
10,510
Hello everyone.

My CPU used to have a dual chanel 2*4GB Gskill DDR3 1866 but looks like humidity take down one of them.
So, my question is simple. I want to replace the dead stick but I don't know if I can buy one stick of 4 gbs with the same specs to complete 8gbs again or I have to buy again the dual chanel pair AND if my 3 sticks will eventually work together (2*4gb)+1*4gb.

My old pair is this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231455&cm_re=gskil_ddr3_1866-_-20-231-455-_-Product

This is the same memory but without pair:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231720&cm_re=gskil_ddr3_1866-_-20-231-720-_-Product

What do you recommend?

Thank you!!

 
Solution
You only need to buy a single stick -- it's identical to yours so it will restore the "matched pair".

The reason for buying a matched pair is to ensure that both sticks are identical spec to allow dual-channel to function, nothing more than that.

It doesn't imply that each stick of a matched pair has any unique, inherent qualities that a single stick doesn't have.

You only need to buy another matched pair if both sticks of a pair fail at the same time, or if one stick fails and you can't find any RAM which matches the specification of the remaining good stick.
You only need to buy a single stick -- it's identical to yours so it will restore the "matched pair".

The reason for buying a matched pair is to ensure that both sticks are identical spec to allow dual-channel to function, nothing more than that.

It doesn't imply that each stick of a matched pair has any unique, inherent qualities that a single stick doesn't have.

You only need to buy another matched pair if both sticks of a pair fail at the same time, or if one stick fails and you can't find any RAM which matches the specification of the remaining good stick.
 
Solution