Matching DDR3 Memory - Going 8GB to 16GB

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alexb75

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Oct 12, 2004
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I have a Dual-DDR3 8GB kit, Corsair Platinum Dominator. 2*4GB - 2133 GHz, 9-11-10-27, 1.5V

Now, I wanna go 16GB, what are my options as Corsair don't make this anymore? I am just not sure if another kit MUST match the exact timing or could be slightly different? The biggest difference I see if that many kits are 1.6-1.65V and this kit works at 1.5V!

1. Sell these, get 2*8GB [2133 or 2400]
2. Match another set (other manufacturers, timings)
3. Find one on eBay?

This is installed Asus Z97-Pro, with Intel Core i7-4790 CPU.
 
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joex444

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Feb 16, 2006
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Selling and buying a 2x8GB kit would be the safest route. Some DDR3 is simply not compatible with other - it happens about 3% of the time or so. If you go with a second 2x4GB kit it doesn't need to match exactly, but it must share something in common. For example, a DDR3-2133 9-9-9 kit at 1.5V would be fine. A DDR3-2133 kit at 10-10-10 would probably be able to run at DDR3-1866 9-9-9 and you could find some other setting that works for both. You will need to match the voltage though -- 1.5V is standard, DDR3L is lower voltage and 1.6V is an overvoltage kit.

Searching through Newegg, I see 2x4GB DDR3-2133 at 1.5V with 11-11-11 timings. That's not good. There are 2x4GB DDR3-1866 at 9-9-9 available. This makes things a bit tricky and could be reason enough to go with a 2x8GB kit for your upgrade. There are some 2x8GB 2133MHz 9-9-9 kits, but they're not a good price. 2x8GB DDR3-1600 @ 9-9-9 is a good buy as would DDR3-1866 @ 10-10-10. The latter should be marginally faster.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Jun 5, 2013
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Simp;ly put mixing sets even if the same exact model is a crapshoot, no guarantees that they play with one another, that's why the sticks are tested before packaging to ensure they find sticks that do play for a package. Best bet is to get a 2x8GB set - see items 2-6 in my article here:

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