Mixing Ripjaw Series X 2x4gb with 1x8gb

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
L

Leighton_2

Commendable
Oct 20, 2016
1
0
1,510
Will mixing G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory with G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory cause any problems? I would purchase another 2x4gb, but my CPU cooler is blocking a ram slot.
I realize that mixing 2x4gb and 1x8gb can be problematic, but considering that they're both from the same manufacturers could this be an exception?

Here's my build: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/lso/saved/#view=FFCbvK
 
Solution
Tradesman1
There are no guarantees when mixing DRAM. That said if you try with your rig, try with the 8GB stick in slot 2 and the 4GB sticks in slots 3 and 4. This places 8GB in dual channel and if they will play all will run in dual channel via AMD's adaption of Intel's Flex mode, not sure where the non-sense about tri channel above came from. Chances are good if they don't want to play you can add a bit of extra voltage to the DRAM and/or the MC (memory controller) to get them to play.

Also what CPU cooler, for the user above and if you also have a 212 EVO, you simply raise the fan (they are adjustable) ;)
Sort by date Sort by votes
superninja12

superninja12

Glorious
May 18, 2015
11,378
56
49,140
this is a gamble you take only the exact same gb and brand and model works 100%.
so its up to you.

but i can tell you , you won't see fps improvements from getting more ram.
also the quality of your system is lacking ,(singly recommending you an aftermarket cooler and another psu).
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A

aquielisunari

Judicious
Mar 31, 2011
6,499
14
33,015


The only reason it would be problematic is if you installed them without following the manufacturer's instructions. Thats a dual channel board. THis means that you install modules by twos. They work in tandem with each other so the effective speeds is 1600MHz. Install a module in slot 1,2 and 3 but leave 4 unpopulated and one module will only operate at half speed handicapping your performance. You seem to be suggesting exactly that scenario. It doesn't matter if you install an 8GB module of G.Skill and a 2GB module of Corsair RAM. The tech. specs are what matters. CAS Latency(timing CL), power(1.5V vs 1.3V) and speed (1600MHz vs 2133MHz) is what truly matters. The type such as DDR3 and DDR4 matter as well. Like I said it also matters how they are installed. You are treating that board like a triple channel board when it's a dual channel board. Not a good idea and yes that one module will operate at half speed. Let me be clear. The manufacturer doesn't matter. YES. You have to make sure the manufacturer is dependable and all that but like I said G.skill and Kingston could be installed without issues as long as the tech. specs are identical.

What about changing the heatsink? What about sliding up the fan on the heatsink to allow for more clearance? The best idea is to change heatsinks. You also chose RAM with LONG fins. You can make some better choices so you aren't forced to skip a slot. You could also install 2 x 8GB instead of 2x4GB. Consider my 212 Evo and my Kingston RAM.
WIN_20160728_16_32_31_Pro.jpg
. You wouldn't be able to fit a nickel between my 212's fan and the top of my kingston RAM https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-HyperX-FURY-2x4GB-1866MHz/dp/B00J8E8YSY/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1477006548&sr=1-4&keywords=Kingston+1866MHz+2+x+4GB . If I would have went with something like Corsair Vengeance with some of their LOOOONG heatsink fins or those G.Skill RAM modules I would have been in the boat you are in.


Make some other change.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
67,883
40
126,960
There are no guarantees when mixing DRAM. That said if you try with your rig, try with the 8GB stick in slot 2 and the 4GB sticks in slots 3 and 4. This places 8GB in dual channel and if they will play all will run in dual channel via AMD's adaption of Intel's Flex mode, not sure where the non-sense about tri channel above came from. Chances are good if they don't want to play you can add a bit of extra voltage to the DRAM and/or the MC (memory controller) to get them to play.

Also what CPU cooler, for the user above and if you also have a 212 EVO, you simply raise the fan (they are adjustable) ;)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
A

aquielisunari

Judicious
Mar 31, 2011
6,499
14
33,015


The nonsense about the tri-channel came from 3 sticks being in play which is what happens with a triple channel board. The original course of action here was non-sensical. Sure there are work-arounds... A PC builder needs to follow the directions and install modules by two with that board. It makes more sense to do it right the first then to try and compensate for bad choices after the fact.

I do appreciate you seconding the fan adjustment even though I hope that doesn't have to happen. There are many other options that can avoid that modification. If this was already a complete PC at home the fan adjustment would be the easiest fix. I'll take a closer look at Flex mode. Not familiar with that. Thank you.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
67,883
40
126,960
Flex has been around for years, I touch on it in my FAQs and Fiction articles - FAQs - item 7

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2741495/ddr3-faqs-fiction.html

These are common practices going back to pre-2010. The big difference between now and then is the advances in DDR3, both in IC density and data rates going well above and beyond the JEDEC standards has made mixing packages of DRAM much more likely to be problematic ;)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom