"matched" RAM kits

[Cl4ptr4p]

is there any benefit to purchasing a kit of matched RAM e.g. (4x8GB) as opposed to purchasing 2 separate (2x8GB) kits? it seems to always be cheaper to purchase 2 separate 2x8 kits.

[.Apex.]

1 minute ago, Cl4ptr4p said:

is there any benefit to purchasing a kit of matched RAM e.g. (4x8GB) as opposed to purchasing 2 separate (2x8GB) kits? it seems to always be cheaper to purchase 2 separate 2x8 kits.

The benefit is that you won't have to tinker with anything if you buy all matching RAM sticks (assuming it's not some stupid 4000Mhz+ RAM), but you can certainly get 2 different kits to work but you *might* need to configure things manually

[aisle9]

You can run mismatched RAM with DDR3 and DDR4. Earlier types of RAM can get kind of picky about running with an unmatched kit. The only effect of running mismatched RAM on modern systems is that the RAM will default to the slower speed and timings. So, basically, if you have one stick of DDR4-2133 and one stick of DDR4-3200, your 3200 RAM is going to be pretty badly gimped. Otherwise, there are no ill effects.

[Cl4ptr4p]

1 hour ago, aisle9 said:

You can run mismatched RAM with DDR3 and DDR4. Earlier types of RAM can get kind of picky about running with an unmatched kit. The only effect of running mismatched RAM on modern systems is that the RAM will default to the slower speed and timings. So, basically, if you have one stick of DDR4-2133 and one stick of DDR4-3200, your 3200 RAM is going to be pretty badly gimped. Otherwise, there are no ill effects.

I'm sorry I wasnt clear. 1 2x8GB of 3000 RAM is $100, but the brand and speed is $250 for a 4x8 GB kit. so there is no negative effect for buying 2 separate 2 stick 16GB kits instead of buying a 4 stick 32GB kit?

[nick name]

Kits are tested and verified together and there can be enough variance between kits that the variance will prevent you from combining them successfully.  If you go the combination route then there is a good chance you'll have to tune timings and that will be tuning them down.

 

So I would say shop as best you can to find a kit of your desired capacity and the price point you're comfortable and avoid combining kits.  

[aisle9]

2 hours ago, Cl4ptr4p said:

I'm sorry I wasnt clear. 1 2x8GB of 3000 RAM is $100, but the brand and speed is $250 for a 4x8 GB kit. so there is no negative effect for buying 2 separate 2 stick 16GB kits instead of buying a 4 stick 32GB kit?

No. Your speed and latency will run at the slowest timings, but otherwise there's no ill effect. The days of mismatched RAM breaking all the things pretty much ended with the onset of DDR3. It's not an issue at all today.

[Cl4ptr4p]

ok thanks to everyone who responded. appreciate all of you.