Upgrading memory, what to look for?

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zrkraus

zrkraus

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Mar 9, 2018
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So ive been looking to upgrade my memory for some time now, but im very unfamiliar with what dictates faster memory over others. Currently running 8 GB of g.skill ddr4-2132, and was looking for another 8 GB, but like I said, im unaware of anything involving compatibility issues or whats better than others so any advice would be great.
 
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volkgren
There are MANY MANY differences in RAM. First, you have the speed (DDR4 2133, 2400, 2666, 2800, 3000, 3200, etc.) then you have the timings and CAS Latency (CL14, 15, 16, etc. as well as the other timings eg. 16-18-18-36) and then you have voltage (1.2V, 1.25V, 1.35V, etc.).

On top of all that, memory sellers like Kingston, Corsair, G.Skill, etc. get their memory stock from memory manufacturers like Samsung, Micron, and Hynix. But, the sellers can have different stock coming from two or more different manufacturers. They might not work well together if you had different sticks from different manufacturers. To avoid that you would get a kit, which comes directly off the assembly line together.

*Trying to clarify: You don't buy Micron...
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volkgren

volkgren

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Aug 13, 2017
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If you plan on keeping your current 8GB, then the only other kind of memory to get would be the exact same as you have now. Exact same part number.

Memory is best used in kits. Meaning you should get a 2x8GB kit if you want 16GB. But.. you can try matching the same memory you already have and it usually works, but it may not.
 
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zrkraus

zrkraus

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Mar 9, 2018
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Makes sense, but what separates one 8 gb ddr4 ram from another, or do others even run faster at all?
 
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volkgren

volkgren

Judicious
Aug 13, 2017
5,827
33
32,090
There are MANY MANY differences in RAM. First, you have the speed (DDR4 2133, 2400, 2666, 2800, 3000, 3200, etc.) then you have the timings and CAS Latency (CL14, 15, 16, etc. as well as the other timings eg. 16-18-18-36) and then you have voltage (1.2V, 1.25V, 1.35V, etc.).

On top of all that, memory sellers like Kingston, Corsair, G.Skill, etc. get their memory stock from memory manufacturers like Samsung, Micron, and Hynix. But, the sellers can have different stock coming from two or more different manufacturers. They might not work well together if you had different sticks from different manufacturers. To avoid that you would get a kit, which comes directly off the assembly line together.

*Trying to clarify: You don't buy Micron or Hynix for your DDR4 RAM; you buy Kingston, Corsair, G.Skill, etc. and they are using Micron, Hynix, etc. memory for their memory and you don't really know what you're getting from them unless you do some extensive research. Again, buying a kit form a seller guarantees that the two (or more) sticks are the same.
 
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