Upgrading/Mixing DDR3

[tedbrown007]

I currently have this ram http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231274
Its 4 gb of gskill ripjaw ram : ddr3 1333
What I want to do is update my system and add some more ram and I found 8gb for about $100
Its the same brand but runs but it is ddr3 2133

Both have the same 1.5 v but as I have pointed out they have different speeds and different CLs and timing
(old:new)
9:11 CLs
9-9-9-24 : 11-11-11-30

I understand that the new stuff would be running at the slower rate but it would cost about the same to buy 8 gb of what i already have and I thought that this way in a yr or two if i buy new ram I can buy more of the 2133 when its come down in price and run at 16gb.

Anyways here are my questions (and the first is twofold)

1. Will this work? (mixing the CLs and timing that is...I know that my mobo should be able to run either or since the Voltage and brand is the same) And if it does work, will i have to adjust any of the mem. settings so they run at the same speeds etc or will my computer take care of this itself?

2. Would my system be faster running on 12 gb (mixed) or would i be better off running 8gb of the new faster stuff?

 

[o1die]

Can't tell if it will work; you'll just have to try it. 8 gb is plenty; I would just use it and save the leftover for spares. Remember that faster ram frequently requires higher voltage. Intel doesn't recommend more than 1.65v for it's ram. I have old 1.8 ddr3 and it won't mix well with two other brands, so I moved it to my backup system.

 

[tedbrown007]

does that apply to determining which one would be faster as well? just trial and error with the 12 and the 8gb?

I guess I was curious if there were any "general rules" regarding mixing with ddr3 since i have never done so myself. I tried to do my research this am but couldnt seem to find anything terribly helpful since some people say that mixing is fine while others think its the devil

 

[eightdrunkengods]

"mixing is fine while others think its the devil" Yeah, that's pretty much accurate.

1.) There way is no guarantee that it will work.
2.) Depending on what you are doing, you might see a difference. This is kind of good news: Unless you are doing modeling or video encoding or something, there probably isn't any point in keeping your gskill around. So, you can just buy the new, fast RAM and ebay the gskill.

Often, when you run "faster" RAM at a lower clock, (i.e. running ddr3 2133 at 1333) you can *often* run the timings faster than spec. It's very likely that you could get the 2133 to run at the same rate and timings as your 1333. It still might not be compatible with the gskill RAM, though.

 

[jaquith]

No, do not mix Frequencies, CAS or especially Voltage; size is fine. And assuming 2133 is NOT a typo then heck no 2133 + 1333 is a really bad idea.

IMO:
2 Kits of F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL 4x2GB

or

F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL
F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311
Same specs but different density; 4GB + 8GB = 12GB. Also, keep the Set1 in one color DIMM slots and Set2 in the other color DIMM slots. Each channel must have 6GB otherwise you'll loose RAM

Correct {6GB + 6GB = 12GB}
CPU: | 2GB | 4GB | 2GB | 4GB |

Wrong {8GB + 4GB = 8GB} ; the BIOS disables RAM if Ch A > Ch B
[strike]CPU: | 4GB | 4GB | 2GB | 2GB |[/strike]

Good Luck!

 

[tedbrown007]

hm ok. so adding two 4gb sticks wouldnt actually give me 12gb total then? (sorry bit of a build noob)

would you suggest getting 8gb of the 2133 as a replacement or just adding 8gb of the old 1333 for $40 less and a total of 12gb?

 

[jaquith]

No I didn't say that at all, what I said is they need to be INSTALLED in the CORRECT slots, and I am also strongly recommending that you MATCH: Frequency, CAS Timing, Voltage and Brand {same ICs} for the best and reliable results.

As I stated IMO: 1. Another Set of F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL {4X2GB}, or 2. Similar Set with Matching characteristics -> F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL {2x2GB} + F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL {2X4GB} = 12GB.

 

[tedbrown007]

thanks for the help guys
I guess now it just comes down to personal choice between upgrading to something new or adding some more of the old stuff (which i think i may do since it will be cheaper)