Buying 1x 8gb RAM to Add to 2x 4gb?

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AselHD

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I currently have 8gb of DDR3 Ram @1600mhz running in my system (i5 4670k-stock, gtx 760, 2x 4gb ram, asrock z97 pro4, 1tb wd blue). I was planning on picking up another stick of ram, this time 8gb. Would it be worth it since I will have the 8gb running in a non -dual channel configuration? I would like to upgrade due to using ~45% of ram just running background programs and a few chrome tabs. Will it work? Will it work well enough to justify buying? Any help appreciated.
 
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JackNaylorPE



I didn't recommend a 2 x 8 GB configuration but that is the only solution guaranteed to work. If it didn't come oin the same package, it's not guaranteed. As I said "use the exact same spec / model number (speed / CAS timings) if at all possible. You may have to boost DRAM voltage a lil bit with 4 modules present."

I you had a 2 x 4 GB DDr3-2400 set Id say don't bother, get a new 2 x 8GB set. But at 2 x 4GB of DDR3-1600, just buy another set of what you already have (2 x 4GB) making sure that same make, model, speed and CAS timings if at all possible. Again...
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JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

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No, install RAM in pairs only on Z97 systems.... note that adding a 2nd set of RAM is not guaranteed to work... use the exact same spec / model number (speed / CAS timings) if at all possible. You may have to boost DRAM voltage a lil bit with 4 modules present.

In 2010 THG write that more than 8 GB was no real benefit in gaming... in 2016, that no longer holds true. Application performance will of course depend on application needs.
 
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Zerk2012

Zerk2012

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Might work and might not anytime you start mixing different memory you can have issues. If the memory is the same speed, cas and voltage you have a better chance of getting it working. The safest way would be buy a 2X8GB set of memory and just use it.
 
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AselHD

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I don't have the money for a 2x8gb configuration (while getting a few other upgrades I want). What if I got another 2x4gb kit? Would that work?
 
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JackNaylorPE

JackNaylorPE

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I didn't recommend a 2 x 8 GB configuration but that is the only solution guaranteed to work. If it didn't come oin the same package, it's not guaranteed. As I said "use the exact same spec / model number (speed / CAS timings) if at all possible. You may have to boost DRAM voltage a lil bit with 4 modules present."

I you had a 2 x 4 GB DDr3-2400 set Id say don't bother, get a new 2 x 8GB set. But at 2 x 4GB of DDR3-1600, just buy another set of what you already have (2 x 4GB) making sure that same make, model, speed and CAS timings if at all possible. Again, because you now have 4 x 4 GB instead of 2 x 4GB, you may need a but more DRAM voltage to keep things stable.

After installing run Memtest 86+ and RoG Real bench to test stability.
 
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