How should I upgrade my RAM?

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Siddharth Maurya

Siddharth Maurya

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Apr 2, 2015
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I have 2X2 GB RAM @1333 MHz
I have 2 slots empty...Now what if I want to upgrade this.?
I mean in what manner....can I add one more 4 GB 1600 MHz....or can I add 2x2 GB RAM...??
I am a bit confused.
 
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Barty1884


Sorry, I missed the part about free slots.

Your motherboard supports CP3-10600, maximum 1333MHz
4slots, for a total of 16GB max as per http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121394

Some RAM simply does not 'play nice' with others. There's no universal answer to get either 2x2GB or 4x1GB. Generally either should work but sometimes they simply will not.
Hence, it's recommended....to achieve your 8GB total...
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grana92

grana92

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Oct 17, 2014
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1. If your Windows is not x64, there is no point in upgrading
2. Your RAM will work on the lowest frequency, in your case - 1333MHz

If you can upgrade to 8GB, my advice would be a Dual Channel kit from Patriot or Kingston.
 
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Nuwan Fernando

Nuwan Fernando

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Jul 26, 2013
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Even if you add a 1600MHz Rams, they will operate at 1333MHz since the old RAMs are present. So if you want a speed upgrade, I recommend removing that 1333 kit and install only 1600 Kit. But if you don't care about the speed, you can add another kit in any speed and enjoy the higher RAM capacity but not speed.
 
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Siddharth Maurya

Siddharth Maurya

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Apr 2, 2015
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should I add 2x2 GB ram or 4x1 GB ram..does this make any difference?
 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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Apr 16, 2015
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It's been stated already, that unless you have x64 OS, you're maxed at 4GB anyway - so anything more is an absolute waste.

You've not confirmed your motherboard, are you 100% sure you have more than 2 slots? Is this a desktop? Or a laptop? (most laptops will be limited to 2 slots).

Rather than adding 2GBx2 or 4GBx1, you're best to remove the existing RAM and get a compatible 2x4GB kit.
If you confirm your OS version and your motherboard/CPU, somebody will be able to give you direction on the best RAM for your system and why.

If you don't want to provide more info and you're sure you've got enough slots/ are comfortable picking correct RAM / an appropriate OS, then I'd suggest you add 2x2 to arrive at your 8GB
 
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giantbucket

giantbucket

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99% of the time you can just add whatever you want, and 98% of the time it works fine at the lowest common settings automatically. the other 73% of the time you're better off at least matching specs of new and old, and certainly more than 25% of the time your best performance is to sell existing ram and buy all new matched high capacity and high speed ram.

give or take 0.13% of course
 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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images
 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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Apr 16, 2015
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Sorry, I missed the part about free slots.

Your motherboard supports CP3-10600, maximum 1333MHz
4slots, for a total of 16GB max as per http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121394

Some RAM simply does not 'play nice' with others. There's no universal answer to get either 2x2GB or 4x1GB. Generally either should work but sometimes they simply will not.
Hence, it's recommended....to achieve your 8GB total, you remove your existing RAM and purchase a 2x4GB kit - kit's sold together are tested for compatibility with each other.

Pricewise, a 2x2GB kit is going to be around $30-40, anything higher than 1333MHz will be throttled down, and you have a chance they may not be compatible with your existing RAM.

On the other hand, a 2x4GB kit, which are tested to be compatible with each other and will achieve your 8GB RAM using fewer slots for future expanding (although you'd need to buy the exact same 2x4GB pack.....but you might still find compatibility issues there too!). A 2x4GB kit runs around $40-50 (this G.Skill kit is $40.99).

You're looking at the same pricepoint (or within a few $), for pretty much guaranteed compatibility and allowing future expansion.
 
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