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tone21705
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Thoughts on mixing memory brands?

Sat Nov 29, 2014 2:26 pm

Hi All,

I built a new PC about 6-8 months ago and went with 8GB (2x4GB) of memory and am thinking about upgrading to 16GB with all the Black Friday deals.

Currently I have:
Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model BLT2KIT4G3D1869DT1TX0
From: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820148560
Timing 9-9-9-27

I am wondering if I buy another 8GB kit (different brand/model) will it function the same? If I am only going to save 10-20$ should I just pony up and get the same one as before?
For example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231568
Timing 9-9-9

Thanks!
i7 4770K - ASUS Z97-A - G.SKILL SNIPER 32GB DDR3-1866 - GeForce GTX 560 Ti 2GB - Crucial MX100 256 SSD - WD Green 4TB - Win 8.1 Pro x64 - Corsair Obsidian Series 450D - Logitech G700s - Noppoo Choc Mini Cherry MX Blue
 
DancinJack
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Re: Thoughts on mixing memory brands?

Sat Nov 29, 2014 2:31 pm

It will likely work fine. You're probably best off getting the same MHz and timings (it appears you did that), but it will probably be fine.

If it were me, I'd probably just pony up and get a new, matched set. I'm just semi-OCD about parts like that though.
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prb123
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Re: Thoughts on mixing memory brands?

Sat Nov 29, 2014 3:18 pm

Just run Memtest86 & Prime95 to be sure all is stable and you will be fine.
 
NovusBogus
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Re: Thoughts on mixing memory brands?

Sat Nov 29, 2014 7:31 pm

4x4 should work fine provided the speeds match, though personally I'd get 2x8 if you can find a nice deal on it. Use the old memory for a secondary PC, sell it to a friend, or plug it all in and see if you can get 24GB without compatibility or performance issues. In theory, if you have 1866 now and insert 1600 the 1866 will run at 1600 but since 1866 isn't an officially supported speed it may or may not do what's expected (but usually does).

Basically, the cost per gigabyte is $7.50 for the 2x8 and $11.90 for the 2x4--a ~50% difference--so door number two is by far the better deal assuming you like Gskill. 1600 vs 1866 is roughly the same with an Intel memory controller.
 
JustAnEngineer
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Re: Thoughts on mixing memory brands?

Sat Nov 29, 2014 7:57 pm

Your best bet is usually to match the size, brand and model of memory. Failing that, you'll probably end up running at the speed of your slowest memory. Your existing 2x4 GiB of Crucial memory runs at 1866, 9-9-9-27 at 1.5 V. The 2x8 GiB of G.Skill memory that you linked runs at 1600, 9-9-9-?? at 1.5 V. This 2x8 GiB of Crucial BLT2KIT8G3D1869DT1TX0 looks like a closer match at 1866, 9-9-9-24 at 1.5 V.
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tone21705
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Re: Thoughts on mixing memory brands?

Sun Nov 30, 2014 7:01 pm

JustAnEngineer wrote:
Your best bet is usually to match the size, brand and model of memory. Failing that, you'll probably end up running at the speed of your slowest memory. Your existing 2x4 GiB of Crucial memory runs at 1866, 9-9-9-27 at 1.5 V. The 2x8 GiB of G.Skill memory that you linked runs at 1600, 9-9-9-?? at 1.5 V. This 2x8 GiB of Crucial BLT2KIT8G3D1869DT1TX0 looks like a closer match at 1866, 9-9-9-24 at 1.5 V.


I just noticed that I linked to a 2x8GB, so that would be mixing sizes.

Currently, I have a 2x4GB Crucial kit, so I believe my only options are:
1. Get another Crucial 8GB kit (2x4GB + 2x4GB = 16GB): $94.99
2. Mix current + Crucial 16GB kit (2x4GB + 2x8GB = 24GB): $169.99
3. Mix current + other brand 8GB kit (2x4GB + 2x4GB = 16GB): ~ $70
4. Mix current + other brand 16GB kit (2x4GB + 2x4GB = 16GB): ~ $130

What do you think is the best?
i7 4770K - ASUS Z97-A - G.SKILL SNIPER 32GB DDR3-1866 - GeForce GTX 560 Ti 2GB - Crucial MX100 256 SSD - WD Green 4TB - Win 8.1 Pro x64 - Corsair Obsidian Series 450D - Logitech G700s - Noppoo Choc Mini Cherry MX Blue
 
DancinJack
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Re: Thoughts on mixing memory brands?

Sun Nov 30, 2014 7:04 pm

tone21705 wrote:
I just noticed that I linked to a 2x8GB, so that would be mixing sizes.

Currently, I have a 2x4GB Crucial kit, so I believe my only options are:
1. Get another Crucial 8GB kit (2x4GB + 2x4GB = 16GB): $94.99
2. Mix current + Crucial 16GB kit (2x4GB + 2x8GB = 24GB): $169.99
3. Mix current + other brand 8GB kit (2x4GB + 2x4GB = 16GB): ~ $70
4. Mix current + other brand 16GB kit (2x4GB + 2x4GB = 16GB): ~ $130

What do you think is the best?


Option 1 would be best imo.

Otherwise i'd just get a new 2x8GB kit and sell off your 8GB kit.
i7 6700K - Z170 - 16GiB DDR4 - GTX 1080 - 512GB SSD - 256GB SSD - 500GB SSD - 3TB HDD- 27" IPS G-sync - Win10 Pro x64 - Ubuntu/Mint x64 :: 2015 13" rMBP Sierra :: Canon EOS 80D/Sony RX100
 
BlackDove
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Re: Thoughts on mixing memory brands?

Sat Dec 13, 2014 5:42 pm

Just get more Crucial so you dont have G.Skill. Crucial is actually good.
 
Convert
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Re: Thoughts on mixing memory brands?

Sat Dec 13, 2014 7:14 pm

It's really not anything to worry about. I've done it for many systems (OEM and custom) out of necessity. It wasn't something I wanted to do at first but now I don't even give it pause. If it's compatible with the board and your proposed memory config is supported then I wouldn't worry.

People forget that the actual RAM chips aren't always the same from model to model anyways so what are you really matching? They conform to a specification, if they don't follow it then brand is the least of your worries. Different timings and speeds on the other hand become an issue when the motherboard doesn't do a good job with picking the safest choice. This seems more common but still rare.
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The Egg
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Re: Thoughts on mixing memory brands?

Sat Dec 13, 2014 7:31 pm

Going to 24GB isn't likely to do anything for you at all. You'd probably be okay with a different brand, but you'd have to make sure to match the voltage, speed, and timings. It's probably not worth the trouble for 20 bucks.
 
tone21705
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Re: Thoughts on mixing memory brands?

Fri Dec 26, 2014 8:17 pm

My girlfriend actually got me 32gb of G.SKILL so now I am going to sell the old 8GB.

Thanks for everyone's help!
i7 4770K - ASUS Z97-A - G.SKILL SNIPER 32GB DDR3-1866 - GeForce GTX 560 Ti 2GB - Crucial MX100 256 SSD - WD Green 4TB - Win 8.1 Pro x64 - Corsair Obsidian Series 450D - Logitech G700s - Noppoo Choc Mini Cherry MX Blue
 
Aether
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Re: Thoughts on mixing memory brands?

Fri Dec 26, 2014 9:28 pm

tone21705 wrote:
My girlfriend actually got me 32gb of G.SKILL so now I am going to sell the old 8GB.

Thanks for everyone's help!


I was going to second what Convert said, but then I saw your follow-up above. If "32gb" was not a typo, hold on to her!

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