Ram Help Please.

OBRI3N94

Reputable
Jan 27, 2015
51
0
4,630
Hi guys!

I built my PC like two-three years ago and now I want to add another 8gb of ram but I am having problems finding it. I am looking for G-Skill Ripjaws X 1600Mhz (2x 4GB sticks).

I have found this.... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004I763AW/ref=psdc_430511031_t2_B0050119O0 but I'm not sure will it work as says its "for Intel Sandybridge Platform" whereas my computer is completely an AMD build. Would this still work on my computer?( See mobo below..)

I also was looking at this...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Computers-Accessories/G-Skill-4GBx2-Ripjaws-DDR3-2133/B0050119O0/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501517402&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=g.skill+ripjaws+x+series+%282+x+4gb .
Would there be compatibility problems as this is 2300 Mhz or will it be fine and just run at 1600Mhz?

Mobo: Gigabyte 970a DS3P
 
Solution
Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this. Particularly AMD.
This is more difficult when 4 sticks are involved.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.
It is safer to get what you need in one kit.
But, it is a bit more expensive because of the added matching of all the sticks to insure compatibility.

What is your plan "B" if you buy a second kit and it turns out to be incompatible??

I suggest you buy a 2 x 8gb kit that is known to be compatible. It should have the same...

Hardware Brad

Notable
Jul 24, 2017
421
0
960
Very interesting. I cant see any real reason why they would make RAM that would only work with Sandy bridge processors. I'm 99% sure it will work with your AMD set-up, it is probably some sort of advertising scheme, or maybe it was tested and optimized to run better with sandy bridge. The 2133 speed will work fine, the motherboard will run it at a default speed such as 1333MHz until you overclock it.
 
Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this. Particularly AMD.
This is more difficult when 4 sticks are involved.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.
It is safer to get what you need in one kit.
But, it is a bit more expensive because of the added matching of all the sticks to insure compatibility.

What is your plan "B" if you buy a second kit and it turns out to be incompatible??

I suggest you buy a 2 x 8gb kit that is known to be compatible. It should have the same speed, cas and voltage as your current ram. CPU-Z will document what you now have installed.
Then, see if your old ram works.

If it does, you will have 24gb.
If it does not, keep the old ram as a spare or sell it.
 
Solution