Adding another kit to Dual Channel

[jason7655]

I posed this question in the g.skill forum since that's what my RAM is but I'm getting no love over there.

Motherboard : ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
CPU : AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
Memory : G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ

I guess my first question is whether I can add a pair of memory modules that aren't advertised as dual channel to this setup, and if that's a bad thing to do.

I see that newegg.com has a couple of advertised specials that look pretty good and I want to go the best route. Some specifically say Dual Channel in the title and some say that when you dig a little deeper. I figure it's best if I stay with G.Skill but I don't know how much better the ripjaws are than the kit I have, or if I can mix them without losing anything. Is the 15 dollars difference worth it?


49.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

64.99
another set just like the ones I have would put me at 8GB
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ

Anybody care to offer some advice? I'm just not that up on dual channel.

 

[saint19]

Hi.

I'm not very clear with what your want.

Do you currently have the F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ model? or Do you want advice about what model is the best for you?

 

[jason7655]

Currently Have:
Motherboard : ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
CPU : AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
Memory : G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ

Looking at:
49.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

or adding another kit just like I have
64.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ

I save 15 bucks by going with the Ripjaws, but I wasn't sure if they would run better or worse and if there's an advantage to running 2 kits that are the same in this case.

 

[jaquith]

Save yourself $150 in aggravation - get a second set of F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ

 

[gribs]

Well as far as mixing ram, I think if one has better timings it will default to whatever stick in the bunch is slowest of them all. But in this case you are mixing almost identical ram with higher and lower prices, I'd suck up the cost and buy what you have already.

 

[jaquith]

1600 9-9-9-24-2N @ 1.5v F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
1600 9-9-9-24-2N @ 1.5v F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ

The difference is the BIN sorting. Ripjaws gets the better BIN, ans the 'fins' may add a few bucks.