Can I mix two different brands of ram? Is this stick compatible with my laptop?

[SparkFox621]

I have an asus laptop (TUF-FX504) with stock 8 gigs of ram in a single slot. I am planning on buying a 16 gig module (1x16 because that's the cheapest option) to fill the free slot. So my question is, can I leave the old module in so it doesn't go to waste? Would my laptop function properly with 24 gigs of ram from two completely different brands and models of ram? Or should I just throw the old module out and go with 16 gigs? 

 

Also, while I'm here, I also want to make sure that the stick that I want to buy is compatible with the laptop. Here are the differing specs: (format: current / new)

Model: Hynix HMA81GS6CJR8N-VK / Kingston KCP426SD8/16

Size: 8GB / 16GB

Rank: Rank 1 / Dual Rank (whatever that means, maybe channel?)

 

 

[Kasper_MC]

I have no idea about the second question, but the first one: As far as I know, there should be no problem with the different makes - it will however run at the speed of the slowest module. As regards to the size of the modules, if you're buying a 16gb anyway, I'd say, leave the 8gb in and see what happens, why not? If it doesn't work (as far as I know it should), then you've wanted the 16gb anyway - but there's no reason to not test if you can get the full 24gb, if the speed of the modules doesn't matter to you. 

[Xiee]

You can mix two different brands of RAM but make sure they have the same timings/speeds or else you'll run into issues.

As much as possible, it would be a good practice to use the same RAM from the same brand/model to avoid compatibility issues.

[SparkFox621]

1 minute ago, Kasper_MC said:

I have no idea about the second question, but the first one: As far as I know, there should be no problem with the different makes - it will however run at the speed of the slowest module. As regards to the size of the modules, if you're buying a 16gb anyway, I'd say, leave the 8gb in and see what happens, why not? If it doesn't work (as far as I know it should), then you've wanted the 16gb anyway - but there's no reason to not test if you can get the full 24gb, if the speed of the modules doesn't matter to you. 

The two modules have matching speeds.

Yeah, the second one might be a stupid question, but I mainly asked because of the different "ranks". I don't know what that means or whether it matters or not.

 

Thanks for the quick answer!

[nick name]

Upgrading RAM in a laptop can be a much harder job because of the sparse BIOS.  I'd do everything you can to find a matching stick to what is already in there.  Open it up and see if there are identifying stickers or other markings.  And while more capacity alone is nice -- two sticks is gonna give you dual channel performance so I'd really try to match the stick you already have to add to it.  

[Kasper_MC]

1 minute ago, nick name said:

Upgrading RAM in a laptop can be a much harder job because of the sparse BIOS.  I'd do everything you can to find a matching stick to what is already in there.  Open it up and see if there are identifying stickers or other markings.  And while more capacity alone is nice -- two sticks is gonna give you dual channel performance so I'd really try to match the stick you already have to add to it.  

Ok, I don't have much experience with laptops, besides the HDD->SSD upgrade... but couldn't Thaiphoon be used to check the RAM type?

[lafrente]

Buying another 8gb of what you already have is the best option.

[Jurrunio]

In this case 16GB RAM will run in dual channel speed, 8GB in single channel. Flex mode, they call it

 

memory rank is a different thing, basically a rank has 8 memory chips so dual rank memory has 16 in total

[nick name]

14 minutes ago, Kasper_MC said:

Ok, I don't have much experience with laptops, besides the HDD->SSD upgrade... but couldn't Thaiphoon be used to check the RAM type?

You won't know unless you try.  It doesn't work on my laptop.  Fingers crossed that it works on yours.  

[the520AZBulldog]

one of my computers that i built in 2008 and still use today basically just as a media server for my home network and is hooked up to my bedroom is an Asus Sabertooth x58 with a 6 core 990x i7, gtx 1050ti and 16 gb of ram. This old motherboard holds 6 sticks of ram and i am running 2 of one brand and size and 4 of another brand/size. I'd have to look at it to remeber what i eventually put in it but i tried a few different combinations of what i had sitting around at the time and what currenty is in there was the most Gb i could get to work with out going out and buying more. the manual said there is a combo that would get 24gb of ram on that  x58 but I've never had an issue with that 16gb mix and match i had thrown in it and ran daily for a good part of the last 12 years. that board was  but picky about ram though when finding 6 sticks it would run with.

[ZzLy]

11 hours ago, SparkFox621 said:

I have an asus laptop (TUF-FX504) with stock 8 gigs of ram in a single slot. I am planning on buying a 16 gig module (1x16 because that's the cheapest option) to fill the free slot. So my question is, can I leave the old module in so it doesn't go to waste? Would my laptop function properly with 24 gigs of ram from two completely different brands and models of ram? Or should I just throw the old module out and go with 16 gigs? 

 

Also, while I'm here, I also want to make sure that the stick that I want to buy is compatible with the laptop. Here are the differing specs: (format: current / new)

Model: Hynix HMA81GS6CJR8N-VK / Kingston KCP426SD8/16

Size: 8GB / 16GB

Rank: Rank 1 / Dual Rank (whatever that means, maybe channel?)

 

 

Should work fine.