Mushkin 2x(2x4 GB DDR3) vs G.Skill 2x8 GB DDR3

DJ_Enigma · Jul 29, 2016

Hey all, I have these two options before me:

Option 1:
Mushkin Blackline 2x4 GB DDR3 RAM dual kit
AND
Mushkin Silverline 2x4 GB DDR3 RAM dual kit

Both Mushkin kits: PC3-12800 9-9-9-24 1.50V

Option 2:
G.Skill Rip Jaws X 2x8 GB dual kit
DDR3-2133 CL11-13-13-31 1.50V
PC3-17000 8Gx2 Intel XMP Ready

Now, I run an i5 4670K OC’ed to 4.2 on an ASUS Maximus VI Gene mobo that features dual channel RAM.

I run mostly online FPS games. Which RAM kits should I use? My main considerations are minimizing input lag and increasing overall performance. Any guidance, guys? Thanks!

Enigma

Zerk2012 · Jul 29, 2016

You buy memory in a matched set not 2X kits. Memory is tested to work together when you buy a set. For gaming their not a difference the memory is already the fastest part of your PC.

DJ_Enigma · Jul 30, 2016

Zerk2012 :

Hi Zerk, thanks for the answer. <duplicate thread has been removed>. Also, are you suggesting then I just stick with the G.Skill RAM?

<if you want a thread moved ask a moderator don't create another>

wildcard1978 · Jul 30, 2016

it comes down to what ya willing to spend and if ya run into weird compatiabilitys problems with your ram and main board .

I ran into a weird issue with my mushkin enhanced stealth 4x4gb 21333mhz ddr3 1.6v kit.
I either had a ram voltage drop of issue on the ram itself or my main board but rmaed the main board already to track the problem soon as I upped my ram voltage .05 volts everything ran stable and never overclocked my amd fx 9590 on a asrock 990 fx extreme 6.

and zerk your wrong partially they now sell match pairs in memory kits and even states kits on the memory manufactures web sites now adays . but then your also partially right.

but your right to always check that the kit ya buy is matched pairs.

Karadjgne · Jul 30, 2016

If you want 16Gb, its best if you just go ahead and buy 16Gb,whether it's 4x4Gb kit or 2x8Gb kit.

Ram is made from silicon. Each batch has differing impurities, impossible to avoid. When you buy a kit with 2x sticks, both of those sticks are from the same batch and factory tested to be compatible. If you add sticks to existing, you have 2 totally different batches. While primary timings, voltage, speeds etc may be identical even brand and model identical, its entirely possible because of the different impurities in the silicon, that the secondary and tertiary timings are considerably different. This can definitely lead to issues either needing a slight relaxing of primary timings, adding slight voltage increase, lowering ram speeds or a combination, and even that may not work and the ram is basically totally incompatible. Or, they may work perfectly together. No guarantees either way, it's a pot-luck crap-shoot at best. I've seen 2 sticks of identical ram from different kits not work and 2 sticks from different vendors with different sizes and speeds and timings work perfectly.

Best bet is buy 1 kit of size and speed you want. If you want to try mixing, go ahead but if it's bunk, at minimum you have what you need, sell or junk the old ram.

wildcard1978 · Jul 30, 2016

or rma it if one of em are bad

Zerk2012 · Jul 30, 2016

wildcard1978 :

it comes down to what ya willing to spend and if ya run into weird compatiabilitys problems with your ram and main board .

I ran into a weird issue with my mushkin enhanced stealth 4x4gb 21333mhz ddr3 1.6v kit.
I either had a ram voltage drop of issue on the ram itself or my main board but rmaed the main board already to track the problem soon as I upped my ram voltage .05 volts everything ran stable and never overclocked my amd fx 9590 on a asrock 990 fx extreme 6.

and zerk your wrong partially they now sell match pairs in memory kits and even states kits on the memory manufactures web sites now adays . but then your also partially right.

but your right to always check that the kit ya buy is matched pairs.

I'm not partially right I am right.

wildcard1978 · Jul 30, 2016

not completely least the way ya worded it . y said not to buy a kit but the kits are matced pairs was litte misleading

Tradesman1 · Jul 30, 2016

wildcard1978 :

________________

Zerk2012 stated it completely correctly. You buy all DRAM is a single set - never a good idea to get 2 sets of DRAM (2X) and try and mix as the OP suggest in option 1. There are no guarantees when mixing packages of DRAM - even of the same exact model - and manufacturers won't guarantee two packages to play nice either..

Also for 16GB best to get 2x8GB rather than 4x4 as 2x8GB is less stress on the MC (memory controller).

wildcard1978 · Jul 31, 2016

Tradesman1 :

wildcard1978 :

________________

Zerk2012 stated it completely correctly. You buy all DRAM is a single set - never a good idea to get 2 sets of DRAM (2X) and try and mix as the OP suggest in option 1. There are no guarantees when mixing packages of DRAM - even of the same exact model - and manufacturers won't guarantee two packages to play nice either..

Also for 16GB best to get 2x8GB rather than 4x4 as 2x8GB is less stress on the MC (memory controller).

no he wasn't he said kit aint the same as mtched memory but they selling matched memory in kits now

wildcard1978 · Jul 31, 2016

either that or the way he worded it wasn't what he meant to say

Tradesman1 · Jul 31, 2016

read the statement "You buy memory in a matched set not 2X kits" rather clear - buy it all in a matched set - you don't by 2 kits - that is NOT a matched set, it's two separate packages - and there is no guarantee two packages will play nice

wildcard1978 · Jul 31, 2016

they sell the memory in 2x or 4x or 8x kits though and already matched in the 2 4 or 8 x kits

Tradesman1 · Jul 31, 2016

We are talking the number of sets/kits - not the number of sticks

Not sure how to be any clearer - 1 package of DRAM not two

wildcard1978 · Jul 31, 2016

I know but the way he worded it . he said kits don't come in matfched pairs

Karadjgne · Jul 31, 2016

Not everybody speaks perfect English as a first language, for that matter there are some Americans who don't speak perfect English, even when it's their only language. So some allowances for nuances and incorrect verbiage need to be made and understood. It's English, not Techno. Relax.

Tradesman1 · Jul 31, 2016

No he was referring to to 2 kits and there are no guarantees when getting two identical kits (defining kit as a package of DRAM, or here 2 packages) I've gotten identical kits straight from manufacturers that wouldn't play together

Karadjgne · Jul 31, 2016

Me too. Drove me nuts when that happened, I mean you'd think 2 identical kits would be perfect. Sadly, nope. Crap shoot

Mushkin 2x(2x4 GB DDR3) vs G.Skill 2x8 GB DDR3

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