Alright so basically, I have 8GB 1600mhz DDR3 currently in my computer and i got my old computer back so i tried to put the other 8GB 1600mhz DDR3 in and it booted up fine, then i checked and saw it was running at 1333mhz so basically my question is, i kinda need 16GB for the game i play since it has memory leak and it causes stutters etc, So would i notice a change in speed using 16GB of 1333mhz instead of 8GB 1600mhz, btw it will be using up all my ram slots so its 4x4GB, Sorry if i didnt explain it really good just ask if you have a question
Dont know what to do with ram
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shrapnel_indie
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Well, half your battle is won. Your RAM seems to play nice at default speed. Try going into the BIOS and changing the speed of your RAM there, also if the other timings are not the same, adjust for the higher number for each one... then test the new settings to make sure the RAM still plays nice.
Herc08
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So the reason it is running at 1333mhz can be one of two reasons: 1) your motherboard can only support 1333mhz, or 2) one of those RAM sticks are running at 1333mhz. But you really should need to worry about the speed when gaming. It should have little to no effect on it.
babernet_1
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It is not a good idea to use different kinds of RAM together. I'd just go with the 1333 speed and you are ahead of the game compared to the problems you coudl have. Unless you have a 144 Hz monitor, you won't see any difference with a bit slower RAM.
weberdarren97
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I'm gonna try to clear up some confusion here...
The motherboard has to manage all the memory using the same speed and timings. If they didn't play well at 1600MHz because they weren't tested as a kit, the motherboard likely corrected by lowering the speed to 1333MHz and loosening the timings.
Let's say the RAM you had is 1600MHz 12-12-11-28 and the new ram is 1600MHz 14-14-15-26. I realize those numbers seem odd, I made them up as I was typing. Back to my point. The timings are different, so the RAM is not fully compatible. That being said, some motherboards will lower the clock speed of the RAM and loosen the timings, this means that all RAM will function at the speed of the slowest stick plus any additional changes necessary to make all the sticks get along.
The motherboard has to manage all the memory using the same speed and timings. If they didn't play well at 1600MHz because they weren't tested as a kit, the motherboard likely corrected by lowering the speed to 1333MHz and loosening the timings.
Let's say the RAM you had is 1600MHz 12-12-11-28 and the new ram is 1600MHz 14-14-15-26. I realize those numbers seem odd, I made them up as I was typing. Back to my point. The timings are different, so the RAM is not fully compatible. That being said, some motherboards will lower the clock speed of the RAM and loosen the timings, this means that all RAM will function at the speed of the slowest stick plus any additional changes necessary to make all the sticks get along.
weberdarren97
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@defend, you could try to tighten the timings (go for smaller numbers) to reduce latency, but I doubt that they'll get along at 1600MHz.
Timings are a measurement of delay. The larger the number, the longer it takes for the stick to accomplish a task (write, recall, refresh, etc). Tightening the timings (lowering the numbers) results in faster memory operation, but often times leads to an unstable system if the RAM is not all one kit.
Your original question was "What do I do with my RAM?" My official answer: let it be. You can try what I said above, but I can't guarantee it'll work and also can't guarantee that Windows will be stable because you're using more than one kit in your machine.
Timings are a measurement of delay. The larger the number, the longer it takes for the stick to accomplish a task (write, recall, refresh, etc). Tightening the timings (lowering the numbers) results in faster memory operation, but often times leads to an unstable system if the RAM is not all one kit.
Your original question was "What do I do with my RAM?" My official answer: let it be. You can try what I said above, but I can't guarantee it'll work and also can't guarantee that Windows will be stable because you're using more than one kit in your machine.
I must have not explained it really good, Im currently on 2x4GB of DDR3 1600MHz ram, i have another set of 2x4GB RAM 1600MHz DDR3 but when i add that set it goes to 16GB 1333MHz, would it be better 8GB 1600MHz or 16GB 1333MHz, ive tested the other ram in my computer and it runs fine this is also my build https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/4hnhJV
weberdarren97
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Not likely. Corsair memory has CAS of 9, Kingston has CAS of 10. CAS is the first value of latency (or timing if you prefer that word instead). This difference means that they're not capable of running at the same bandwidth, even though they operate at the same clock.
babernet_1
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Note they have different CAS ratings. If you really want it to run at 1600 MHz, then you will have to go into your bios and give it a try. You probably won't see a difference. But mixing RAM, is risky. You need a matched set from the same manufacturer, same speed ratings, same everything for optimum operation.
weberdarren97
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The difference in performance is nominal, you won't notice it unless you're doing serious number crunching like making the CPU calculate pi to the 10,000th character by showing it geometry. Yes, there's an actual benchmark that does that. In terms of gaming, you shouldn't notice a difference.
weberdarren97
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We already know it's stable at 1333MHz. You can try 1600MHz, but that might not boot. If 1600MHz fails, I can't guarantee that the motherboard will figure out the settings it's using now since you would have to override that to get to 1600MHz.
The road I would travel on my personal computer that I use for everything: leave it be.
The road I would travel on a crap computer that I have just to play with it: play with it and see what happens. No guarantees that the outcome will be favorable.
The road I would travel on my personal computer that I use for everything: leave it be.
The road I would travel on a crap computer that I have just to play with it: play with it and see what happens. No guarantees that the outcome will be favorable.
weberdarren97
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The only risk is Windows stability. No risk of damage. If Windows crashes but the machine is still physically running (freezes or gives blue screen instead of powering off), then the issue might be as simple as the pagefile needing to be rebuilt (just a few clicks and a couple restarts).
If the computer itself powers itself down without going through a proper shutdown sequence, then you likely have a hardware conflict. No risk of damage. The issue will disappear once the problem stick(s) are removed from the system.
shrapnel_indie
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You know you're pretty safe at 1333. Running at 1600 is very probable, with looser timings. However, it isn't 100% guaranteed. (THAT is the reason it isn't recommended, plus at one time the problem of mixed RAM was larger, especially with RAM density and rank variations.) You'll probably never perceive the difference in speed anyway.
Now if you do want to try the faster speed:
1) Figure out how to reset the BIOS if need be (just in case PC locks up/won't boot)
2) F2 or DEL are the two most common keys to press on startup of the PC to enter the BIOS.
3) F10 is the most common SAVE & Reboot key.
The specifics of how to set it should be in your motherboard manual (along with the above info). If you don't have it, you should be able to download it unless your PC is a pre-built like a Dell or HP. (You can browse the BIOS if you wish, but if you don't feel comfortable doing it... just leave it at the current settings and be done with it.)
The final decision, of course, is yours. (I've not had issues here myself outside of RAM with a density the Motherboard wouldn't work with even by itself. Some have.)
weberdarren97
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This is a common point of confusion. Dual channel does not mean two sticks. Dual channel means that each pair of sticks (at least one pair must be installed for dual channel) will be addressed at once in order to theoretically double your bandwidth.
Just because you have four sticks and four is not two, does not mean you're not operating in dual channel mode. You now have two channels of two sticks each. Still dual channel.
Alright so basically my ram slots are coloured like this 1 [BLACK], 2 [GREY], 3 [BLACK], 4 [GREY], I currently have the kingston ram in slots 2 & 4, so im in dual channel mode right now yes? and to make sure i stay in that mode i put the other 8gb of corsair in slots 1&3, sorry if i havent explained it good im not the best with computers
shrapnel_indie
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Yes. You have it. You're in dual channel mode. Install the RAM like you described and the channels remain as balanced and stable as they can be.
weberdarren97
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You're welcome. It brings light to my day to see people actually take the time to say thanks. It takes much less effort to read the responses, decide you found your answer, close your browser and never come back.
Also, the reason I didn't quote you is because I'm on mobile and the Reply (quote) button isn't there on mobile.
The users of the forums can get pretty much any machine running, but the devs can't put a reply button on the mobile site. I find that hilarious.
Also, the reason I didn't quote you is because I'm on mobile and the Reply (quote) button isn't there on mobile.
The users of the forums can get pretty much any machine running, but the devs can't put a reply button on the mobile site. I find that hilarious.
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