Different Matched Pairs RAM

[sbjluke]

Hey so I'm about to buy a nice little RAM upgrade for my 1.5 year old rig. I'm running 4gbs and it gets slow with Photoshop Illustrator and other programs open, no big deal, just buy more! I was going to try to get nearly exact as my last pair of 2gb sticks (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145303) but then i realized its not much to get 2x4gbs for a total of 12gbs and then never need to upgrade. Here are my current sticks' quick tech specs: Capacity- 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Speed- DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Cas Latency- 8
Timing- 8-8-8-24
Voltage- 1.65V

I know the Speed must be exactly the same. But how important is it for Capacit, Cas Latency, Timing, and Voltage to be the same? For example can the voltage be 1.5V, timing 9-9-9-24 and Cas Latency 9? (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428) I know RAM slots go in matched pairs, so I'm hoping I can get the linked 2x4gb sticks and not have to worry about the slight differences. Thought I would ask before i had a glitching system!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[chesteracorgi]

The problem with trying to run unmatched RAM is that the mobo runs all the RAM at the same voltage. You might be able to get unmatched RAM with the same voltage and frequency to run but even unmatched latency can cause problems.

I found this RAM which may work for you: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145314

 

[scottiemedic]

The mobo will go as fast as the slowest RAM, so if you have 9-9-9-24 and 8-8-8-24, the RAM will default to CAS 9. Same goes for 1333MHz and say 1066MHz, the mobo will default to the slower, unless you overclock. The most important factor to get right is voltage, since you don't want 1.65V trying to run at 1.5V and vice versa.

 

[ngrego]

Can you post a link to your original RAM kit?

 

[sbjluke]

Thanks for all the responses.

@ngrego

my original RAM kit is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145303

I'm trying to see if I can get something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104173 which has everything the same except for Brand, Capacity and Cas Latency.

Otherwise I'm going to have to spend the extra $70 and get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145344 which wouldn't be the end of the world.

Anyone with a final say?

 

[ngrego]

That's a huge price difference man!
Here's an idea:
You get the Kingston kit for $49 if it works with the Corsair and you have no problems, you're set!
If you get the Kingston Kit and it doesn't work with the Corsair, you could still get another 8GB Kingston kit and still have paid less than the Corsair and have 4GB more RAM to boot!
It's a win win situation!

 

[nikorr]

Thanks for all the responses.

@ngrego

my original RAM kit is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145303

I'm trying to see if I can get something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104173 which has everything the same except for Brand, Capacity and Cas Latency.

Otherwise I'm going to have to spend the extra $70 and get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145344 which wouldn't be the end of the world.

Anyone with a final say?

Well, try to go with 1 kit, it is cheap these days...

BTW, whats your mobo/CPU?

 

[nikorr]

Also, u need to have x64bit windows, u know that, right?

To use more than 4GB of the RAM.

 

[sbjluke]

@ngrego You sir, are a genius!

@nikorr My Mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631
My CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

And yeah I have a 64 bit system

 

[ngrego]

Glad I could help!

 

[sbjluke]

Best answer selected by sbjluke.

 

[nikorr]

This topic has been closed by Nikorr