Can someone explain RAM to me?

SHI KI

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May 18, 2017
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So im looking to ugrade my RAM, this is my setup:

GPU - GTX 1060 3GB
CPU - Intel Core i7-4770K
RAM - 2 4GB 1600MHz DDR3
Motherboard - MSI B85M-E45, Socket-1150
PSU - 650W

Im pretty sure i have 4 RAM slots in total, should i fill them all up with like 2 more 4GB 1600MHz or is it bad to fill them all up? Also is 1600MHz good, what does it mean?
 
since you don't overclock - the motherboard does not support it - you can put ram in all 4 slots.
1600Mhz, is a data speed of the RAM. for DDR3 it can be from 800 to well over 2000. Just pick whatever you already have. pay attention to timings as well they should match when you mix the ram. also, when you install additional memory, pay attention that old and new modules going to the same color of slots.
for example old ram installed in black slots and new kit installed in blue. or vice versa.
 
What you should do is buy a new 16GB RAM kit. Mixing old and new RAM, though identical in specs, can cause issues. 95% of the time it'll work just fine. The other 5% leaves people very confused. So, do you feel lucky? Well, do ya, SHI KI?

should i fill them all up with like 2 more 4GB 1600MHz or is it bad to fill them all up?

No it isn't bad. What would not be in accordance with the manufacturer's directions is if you only added 1 more module. It's dual channel so it prefers modules to be installed in multiples of two.

It's the speed of the RAM. RAM these days are going past 3000MHz. That however is DDR4 RAM. You are using DDR3 RAM. However 1600MHz is the fastest speed of RAM allowed in that board so anything higher won't be compatible.
 

SHI KI

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May 18, 2017
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Oh okay thay makes alot of sense. What do you mean by timings?
 


Consider this

CORSAIR CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B 8GB KIT 2X4GB 1600MHZ DDR3 CL9



See the CL9? That's refering to timings which is also known as CAS Latency. You would need to make sure the CAS Latency or CL numbers are identical.
 

SHI KI

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May 18, 2017
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Okay. Would a CL 9-9-9-24 work with a CL9 "Unbuffered"? Also do the "PC3" numbers need to match? Like for example "PC3-12800".
 

SHI KI

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Oh yeeah im dumb sorry haha. Thank you both!
 


Yes it would.

Yes they do. They are another way of suggesting the speed. PC3-10600 is also known as 1333MHz.PC3. The PC3 is referring to the generation. DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 and DDR4 are all out on the market. You do need to purchase a PC3 12800 CL9 RAM kit.

What would be even better is if you can match the model numbers.