Adding more memory (8GB to 16GB)

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acedl

acedl

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Mar 22, 2015
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Hello!

I am currently debating on either to replace my G.Skill F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800 RipjawsX (Kit) or just add another kit to it. Basically go 4x4GB or 2x8GB?

I thought about going up to a faster 2x8GB kit?

My motivations are driven by the somewhat demanding specs of Battlefront. BF4 can reach almost 6-7GB of ram. Worth it with a 2500k, GA-Z68XP-UD3P and GTX 970? Not in the market to upgrade anything but adding more memory.

My machine still runs amazing in BF4 (1920x1080) and other demanding titles., just thought of stepping up on my memory.

Thanks everyone!
 
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glamdringfh

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Dec 23, 2013
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Between the two it would be best to get the new 2x8.

It's always best to use RAM that came shipped in the same pack. It's been tested to work together at the manufacuring plant and is more reliable.

Technically 4x4 would probably give you slightly better performance, but I would still recommend getting the 2x8 over mixing because it will be sure to work properly. Also, if the 2x8 runs at a higher frequency you won't lose out on the performance gain compared to the 4x4 option.
 
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acedl

acedl

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Yeah, i am torn. Just thought about dropping another 2x4GB exact same kit in the machine. but in turn that would max out my board. I am never really going to need anything more then 16GB .

I've always had good luck with the g-skills working well.

DDR3 2133 is the highest my motherboard will support.

For $80 vs $40 bucks - I may have similar performance.

Hmm....
 
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glamdringfh

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Dec 23, 2013
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If you wanted to try and save some money on mixing you can, just be aware there's a chance they won't work together.

From a great Tom's Article" The Most Common DDR DRAM Myths Debunked"

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-myths,4155.html

"Even though you are buying two of the exact same sets, there is no guarantee that they will work together. The DRAM that goes into a package has been tested to work together. Manufacturers don’t guarantee mixing or adding one set to another, even when they are the same exact model.

Customers often try this with higher data rate sticks using XMP to set them up. With XMP enabled, the motherboard may read the profile for two sticks of DRAM and set the secondary timings accordingly, but the tRFC timing for two modules may be 226, whereas four sticks require 314. This can be especially hard for most users to troubleshoot/find, as few ever go into the secondary DRAM timings."
 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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Apr 16, 2015
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As much as it's recommended not to mix & match, I personally have never had an issue.

Go with the additional 2x4GB. You may need to spend some time to get the timings working correctly, but it's not too difficult.

Absolute worst case, you're out $40 or so, which you can likely recoup online (eBay etc).
 
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acedl

acedl

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Yeah, actually had no issues with the first kit for timings. took the xmp profile right off the start. I am thinking adding another "same model" kit will be fine. I agree with everyone including glamdringfh and Barty1884 that their could be some issues. If not, golden. On newegg there people running it in 4x4gb just.

Ideally, i just want to be able to not worry about RAM capactiy for awhile.
 
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