Memory "mixing"

[Birrin]

Hey!

 

I currently run 2 HyperX Fury DDR4 2400MHz 8GB CL15 and I wanted to upgrade.

I could get 2 more of those and end up with 32GBs of 2400MHz, or I could buy the HyperX Fury DDR4 3200MHz CL18, which costs basically the same as the 2400MHz.

Is it ok to mix the 2 and use 2 of each? Or should I get the slower ones and use 4 of them? Or should I simply exchange the 2 I have for 16 gigs of 3200MHz?

 

Thanks!

[Cereal5]

You can buy the higher speed ones, but it will all run at the slower speed of the two kits. However, it is recommended that you buy the same, or as close to the same memory as you can when adding more, so as to rule out as many possible compatibility issues as you can.

[LukeSavenije]

well, memory will always clock to the lowest speed. where do you need 32 gigs for?

[NelizMastr]

DDR4-3200 CL18 is pretty much garbage, though. Just get another 2400 CL15 kit if you want to upgrade. 

[Birrin]

4 minutes ago, LukeSavenije said:

well, memory will always clock to the lowest speed. where do you need 32 gigs for?

I don't really need it, I just have a lot of money right now and I feel like I should upgrade while I can so I don't get outdated while I'm broke.

 

1 minute ago, NelizMastr said:

DDR4-3200 CL18 is pretty much garbage, though. Just get another 2400 CL15 kit if you want to upgrade. 

Sounds like it should be better on paper though, no?

[LukeSavenije]

Just now, Birrin said:

I don't really need it, I just have a lot of money right now and I feel like I should upgrade while I can so I don't get outdated while I'm broke.

 

Sounds like it should be better on paper though, no?

cl18 is really high for ddr4. and you can't even use the 3200 mhz speed, as it will clock down, and the latency up on the other sticks. For gaming other upgrades are way better

[NelizMastr]

@LukeSavenije is spot on. You're ruining your memory latency and wasting the speed potential.

[Birrin]

Ok so just double what I already have? Or will that also affect latency if I don't really need more?

[LukeSavenije]

3 minutes ago, Birrin said:

Ok so just double what I already have? Or will that also affect latency if I don't really need more?

no, but I don't see why you need 32 gigs. but it won't affect anything, exept that you'll have more capacity

[LukeSavenije]

7 minutes ago, Strike105X said:

 

well I would rather get a 3200 c15/c16 then. That's pretty high for ddr4 imo

[KnightSirius]

Just FYI If you stated what the purpose for looking to upgrade is better advice could be provided. General advice is try to get an identical kit, if you can't then settle for a similar kit by the same manufacturer with specs as close to the original as possible for compatibility.

[RobbinM]

My guess is that those 3200 CL18 chips are the same as 2400 CL15. True latency for 2400CL15 is 12.5ns and for 3200 CL18 is 11.25ns.

As you can see, the clockspeed of the 3200 kit makes up for the slower timing, making the true latency slightly lower on the 3200 kit.

Try copying all the timings from the 3200 kit, inclusing secondary and tertiary timings, into your current RAM and see if it works.

If it does, than there isn't a problem running the 3200 kit at it's stock settings mixed with those slightly overclocked 2400 sticks.