RAM Upgrade, 8GB to 24GB?

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chebby

Commendable
Oct 25, 2016
4
0
1,510
Hello All,
One of many similar questions I guess.

I have a Asus Z87M-Plus motherboard, currently with
2 * 4GB Corsair Vengeance LP Black 1600MHz, 9-9-9-24

I have been thing about upgrading and putting the empty two slots to good use by putting 2 * 8GB.
I'm just having trouble one) picking and two) making sure i pick the correct compatible RAM.
I have two choices:

Corsair CML16GX3M2A1600C9 Vengeance Low Profile 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600 Mhz CL 9 XMP Performance Desktop Memory Kit Black
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009YOJZ5E/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

or

Ballistix Tactical 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) UDIMM 240-Pin Memory - BLT2CP8G3D1608DT1TX0CEU
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007J0BHZQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

What would you recommend? (is the fact the Ballistix is quicker latency a big issue? 8 vs 9)
Would you recommend a different set of RAM?

Cheers :)
 
Solution
Luminary
Hello chebby,

From your motherboard specification page:

-4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 -2933(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2600(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory *
-Dual Channel Memory Architecture
-Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)

Here is what I would recommend:

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $84.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-10-25 15:14 EDT-0400

These are perfectly good RAM modules that are quite competitively priced. You'll want to stick to only having 2 modules in your motherboard to...
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Luminary

Luminary

Admirable
Nov 29, 2015
1,614
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6,960
Hello chebby,

From your motherboard specification page:

-4 x DIMM, Max. 32GB, DDR3 -2933(O.C.)/2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2600(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1866(O.C.)/1600/1333 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory *
-Dual Channel Memory Architecture
-Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)

Here is what I would recommend:

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $84.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-10-25 15:14 EDT-0400

These are perfectly good RAM modules that are quite competitively priced. You'll want to stick to only having 2 modules in your motherboard to reduce stress on the memory controller.

On a final note, I strongly recommend not mixing RAM modules. Buy a new pack of paired RAM that will give you the total amount you want, don't mix-and-match. There is about a 50/50 chance of mixed RAM working together, and the headaches involved with troubleshooting problematic mixing isn't worth the attempt to save a few dollars.

Edit: If you're interested in reading up on WHY mixing RAM modules isn't ideal I highly recommend taking a look at the Tom's article "The Most Common DDR DRAM Myths Debunked," sections 1 & 6 particularly address the issue of mixing.
 
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Solution
C

chebby

Commendable
Oct 25, 2016
4
0
1,510
Thank you for your prompt reply.

If mixing is not a good idea. If I purchased 2 * 4GB of the same mark/model of my current (hence creating 4*4GB)
I wouldn't have that issue? (As its all the same?)

Other than Motherboard stress?
 
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Luminary

Luminary

Admirable
Nov 29, 2015
1,614
0
6,960
"I wouldn't have that issue? (As its all the same?)"

This is addressed in detail in the article I referenced above. Even if you buy the exact same make/ model of RAM there is a chance they won't work together. If you're making the investment to upgrade your RAM it is by far and away the best use of your money to get what you need all from the same pack.

If you're dead-set on mixing, then you are correct in that you'll improve your chances by buying exactly the same type of modules you have right now. Any yes, with 4 modules you will be causing more stress on the memory controller which isn't ideal if you can help it.
 
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