Mixing RAM Brands

[SethySeth]

Hello,
I recently made a large order from NewEgg in order to build a computer. Today, all of my parts arrived and I noticed that I was given free RAM. Now I have RAM from two different brands. One package is 2x4gb and the other is 1x8gb. Am I able to use both of these in my build? I will link the two RAMs and my motherboard below.

RAM 2x4: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

RAM 1x8: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148661

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130687

Please give me the best advice and let me know what you would do if it was your build. Thanks!

 

[Legohouse]

Hello,

Firstly, congrats on your new system build. . Alright, coming to the question

"is it okay to mix brands? Am I able to use both of these in my build?"

A: Yes, mixing brand is okay and they should work just fine. (but sometimes some motherboards can be picky but I do not think that will be the case with this mono)

B: Regarding the compatibility of 2x4GB and 1x8GB memory. Yes, they are compatible as both the kits have the same speed and same timings, which is a plus but they differ in voltage. However, mixing voltage is not good idea and I do not recommend it but you could give it a shot if you are up for it.

What Crucial think about mixing different voltages? (acc to the tech support)
"In most cases, mixing RAM is okay however, Ballistix memory is specifically designed for use as a high performance memory and does not work with non-Ballistix memory. It has it's own specific ratings that if adjusted improperly such as by the system itself to compensate or specs of non -Ballistix memory, can cause it to not work."

Mixing Different voltages: It should work or maybe not. Install the 8GB module and set the RAM voltage to 1.5V in the BIOS, then save the settings and exit the BIOS screen. The system will re-start.

At that point I would boot to run memtest86+ (download the ISO image file), testing one stick of RAM at a time. If all pass, then test them all together. If memtest86+ fails at the 1.5V setting, try decreasing the RAM to 1.35V and run memtest86+ again.

After all 3 sticks of RAM pass memtest86+, boot to the OS and run whatever you do for system tests and benchmarking.

Good luck with the upgrade!!

 

[h3sham]

they will work fine , im runing 2X2GB ADATAs and 2X4GB teams and they are working fine also the adatas are 1.65 and the teams are 1.5 but to run them both i had to make the ADatas run at 1.5 V cuzin them to run at 1333 instead of 1600 so u will probably end up overclockin or underclocking one of them

 

[SethySeth]

Hello,

Firstly, congrats on your new system build. . Alright, coming to the question

"is it okay to mix brands? Am I able to use both of these in my build?"

A: Yes, mixing brand is okay and they should work just fine. (but sometimes some motherboards can be picky but I do not think that will be the case with this mono)

B: Regarding the compatibility of 2x4GB and 1x8GB memory. Yes, they are compatible as both the kits have the same speed and same timings, which is a plus but they differ in voltage. However, mixing voltage is not good idea and I do not recommend it but you could give it a shot if you are up for it.

What Crucial think about mixing different voltages? (acc to the tech support)
"In most cases, mixing RAM is okay however, Ballistix memory is specifically designed for use as a high performance memory and does not work with non-Ballistix memory. It has it's own specific ratings that if adjusted improperly such as by the system itself to compensate or specs of non -Ballistix memory, can cause it to not work."

Mixing Different voltages: It should work or maybe not. Install the 8GB module and set the RAM voltage to 1.5V in the BIOS, then save the settings and exit the BIOS screen. The system will re-start.

At that point I would boot to run memtest86+ (download the ISO image file), testing one stick of RAM at a time. If all pass, then test them all together. If memtest86+ fails at the 1.5V setting, try decreasing the RAM to 1.35V and run memtest86+ again.

After all 3 sticks of RAM pass memtest86+, boot to the OS and run whatever you do for system tests and benchmarking.

Good luck with the upgrade!!

Thank you so much! You put a lot of time and effort into that answer, and I appreciate it!