Can two identical sticks bought at different times work in dual channel?

[Greenche]

I'm building an x99 system. Haven't got an exact answer to this question. If I buy one stick of 8gb ram, and buy another one later, can it work in dual channel? Or does it have to be bought in a two stick "kit" for that to happen, even if they're the exact same kind? What about quad channel? Like if there's a further upgrade a few months after with another two identical sticks to get it to 4x 8gb and 32 gb of ram, would it end up running at quad channel, or is that not possible because the sticks weren't bought together?

 

Basically, I want to know if I have to buy all my ram up front, or if I can defer costs at no disadvantage.

[don_svetlio]

yes

[79wjd]

You can buy RAM separately and it will probably work in dual channel even if it's not the same RAM. I say probably because RAM occasionally decides to be a bit picky. 

[Oshino Shinobu]

If the specs match, it will most likely work. However, mixing RAM, regardless of how similar they are, is never certain to work, so there is a risk the RAM just won't work together at all. 

[Darkseth]

Yes. Your Chance is quite 99,99999999% that the Ram will work absolutely Flawless. As long both are DDR4.

 

Let me tell you something even more extreme:

 

Bought my old PC like june 2010, i had 2x 2gb Kingston Memory with specifier 1,7 Volts, and 1600 Mhz.

At some point, i bought 2x 4gb GEIL sticks, with 1.5 Volt specification, and 1333 Mhz. Put it in, Booted it, bam. 12gb Dual Channel, working perfectly.

 

 Some time later i sold my 2x 2gb, and few years later, one of my 4gb sticks broke. I ordered a random (cheapest i could find) 4gb stick from another Manufacturer, put it in... And guess what, Zero problem. My usual dual channel, no problems at all.

 

So yea, you are just set. No matter what kind of Ram you combine, in most cases it will just work. (Even saw someone setting up a 3-stick dual channel. 1 8gb stick in one Channel, and 2x 2gb sticks in the other Channel, all 3 from differenc manufacturers. Worked. (was for a Video tutorial, to show it works)

[MajorVegas]

RAM is picky. Has to be the EXACT SAME MODEL, keep in mind minor revisions will cause it to not work. In dual channel right now with RAM purchased at different times, had some issues at first but it is working. 

[Atmos]

Back in ye 'old western days of computer hardware, if was definitely a serious concern.

Today? As long as their the same type of ram, (ddr3/ddr4/ddr3l[ecc]) and are at least from a fab of decent quality then there's very little chance of it NOT working together.

[Guest Kloaked]

The kits are just bundled together memory sticks. It's the same thing as buying them separately.

 

So, yes it'll work. Just as long as it's nothing absurd like running at different voltages or whatever the CPU won't support. 

[79wjd]

The kits are just bundled together memory sticks. It's the same thing as buying them separately.

 

So, yes it'll work. Just as long as it's nothing absurd like running at different voltages or whatever the CPU won't support. 

Well, kits are guaranteed to work together whereas individual sticks are not; it's not unheard of for sticks not to cooperate (albeit it's very unlikely).

[Guest Kloaked]

Well, kits are guaranteed to work together whereas individual sticks are not; it's not unheard of for sticks not to cooperate (albeit it's very unlikely).

 

Yeah, it's so unlikely I don't think it's even worth mentioning, personally.

[Atmos]

RAM is picky. Has to be the EXACT SAME MODEL, keep in mind minor revisions will cause it to not work. In dual channel right now with RAM purchased at different times, had some issues at first but it is working. 

 

Not true at all anymore lol.

[FruitBasketSilex]

yes

I love answers like this.

At least say what you're saying yes to.

There are often multiple questions in an OP, making it incredibly unclear which one you're answering.

[Greenche]

Thabk you all! I'll take the chance