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Mixing two 2gb sticks with two 4gb sticks

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  • Memory
  • Corsair
Last response: in Memory
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August 29, 2014 3:58:22 PM

I currently have 4gb (2x2gb) of corsair memory in my system, this right here:

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-2x2GB-Desktop-Memory-TW3X...


Today I purchased 8gb of corsair memory (2x4gb):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003N8GVUY/ref=oh_aui_...



They are both DDR3, 1333, 10666, and both Corsair. I have my current memory listed on eBay, but I'll take down the ad and keep this memory in my system, giving me 12gb total, if this can be done. Will there be any kind of compatibility issues because of the size difference? I figure I'll probably only get 30-40 bucks max for the memory I have listed, so it seems wiser to just keep it if this is possible.

My motherboard can handle up to 16 gb of memory, and I have a 64 bit OS so the 12 gb would be put to full use.

More about : mixing 2gb sticks 4gb sticks

a c 82 } Memory
August 29, 2014 7:28:55 PM

I don't know the MB or anything else about your system, but as long as you keep matching pairs in their respective opposite channels, it should be fine. They are both 9-9-9-24 pairs. They should play nice together. They are both 1.5V, right?
August 29, 2014 8:58:05 PM

clutchc said:
I don't know the MB or anything else about your system, but as long as you keep matching pairs in their respective opposite channels, it should be fine. They are both 9-9-9-24 pairs. They should play nice together. They are both 1.5V, right?


Thanks for the response.

Yeah they are both 1.5. I'll just stick all four sticks in tomorrow and hope for the best. I figured I'd ask on here first in case anyone had first hand experience with this sort of thing.
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August 30, 2014 9:07:36 AM

For anyone that cares, I now have the new memory in with the old memory and everything seems fine so far. It recognizes the full 12 gb and there aren't any bizarre issues to this point. I'm going to try some gaming and see if any issues pop up.
a c 2285 } Memory
August 30, 2014 12:20:06 PM

Also check that they are in dual channel mode i.e. prob want the 4GB sticks in slots 1-3 from CPU and the 2GB in slots 2-4, that way you have 6GB in each channel, if you go 4-4-2-2 then you may end up w/ all in single channel or in flex which would be 8 in dual and 4GB running in single channel mode
August 30, 2014 4:32:33 PM

Tradesman1 said:
Also check that they are in dual channel mode i.e. prob want the 4GB sticks in slots 1-3 from CPU and the 2GB in slots 2-4, that way you have 6GB in each channel, if you go 4-4-2-2 then you may end up w/ all in single channel or in flex which would be 8 in dual and 4GB running in single channel mode


Good tip. Is this standard for all motherboards? Right now I do have it at 2-2-4-4, but I want everything to be set right.
a c 2285 } Memory
August 30, 2014 5:05:23 PM

What mobo? Most use the first 2 slots by the CPU for Channel A and the second 2 for channel B - if this is like most then you yave 4 GB in Channel A and 8 in B which, if the mobo utilizes the channels in flex is 8GB dual and the odd 4 in single, if it doesn't use flex then all are in single channel
August 30, 2014 5:22:43 PM

Tradesman1 said:
What mobo? Most use the first 2 slots by the CPU for Channel A and the second 2 for channel B - if this is like most then you yave 4 GB in Channel A and 8 in B which, if the mobo utilizes the channels in flex is 8GB dual and the odd 4 in single, if it doesn't use flex then all are in single channel


Here is the motherboard:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XRG1DM/ref=oh_aui_...


It goes A2,B2, A1,B1.

I just switched the ram around so that I have the 4gb sticks in the A's, and the 2gb in the B's. I downloaded a little program called CPU-Z, and on the memory tab it says I'm in dual channel unganged mode. Is this what I want?

a c 2285 } Memory
August 30, 2014 5:27:48 PM

Dual channel is what you want, it can be up to a 10% or better performance gain over single channel
August 30, 2014 5:29:20 PM

Okay, thanks for the help.
a c 2285 } Memory
August 30, 2014 5:45:02 PM

No worries ;) 
!