Add 8Gb RAM on a Dual Channel 2x4Gb RAM ?

[Ddave]

My motherboard has 4 RAM Slots.

Let's say I'm running a dual channel 2x4Gb.

Will there be any issues if I add a third stick, with the same brand,model, and frequency but is 8Gb ?

[79wjd]

It won't run in dual channel, but that doesnt really matter. If you need the extra ram, go for it. If you don't, then don't. 

[Fate]

There may be a slight performance decrease, but more ram > faster ram.

[TechGod]

Shouldn't be a problem at all. I don't think not running in dual channel mode will affect the speed of your computer in any meaningful way. 

[Ddave]

It won't run in dual channel

Can you please elaborate this a bit ?

[Benji_w]

My motherboard has 4 RAM Slots.

Let's say I'm running a dual channel 2x4Gb.

Will there be any issues if I add a third stick, with the same brand,model, and frequency but is 8Gb ?

 

You would be better off getting another set of 2x4gb sticks in all honesty.

[Ddave]

There may be a slight performance decrease, but more ram > faster ram.

Do you think the decrease will be noticable ?

[79wjd]

Can you please elaborate this a bit ?

Think of dual channel as Raid 0 for RAM, except the speed up isn't really noticeable outside of benchmarks/heavy memory use applications (i.e. not gaming).

 

Do you think the decrease will be noticable ?

Unless you do something extremely memory intensive (i.e. something that writes to memory constantly, then you won't notice a difference -- i.e. not gaming unless you have an APU).

[Benji_w]

Do you think the decrease will be noticable ?

 

Depends if the ram is incompatible and throws all the timings out the window might even make your system unstable.

[Ddave]

Depends if the ram is incompatible and throws all the timings out the window might even make your system unstable.

Yikes.

[Ddave]

Anyway, I guess I'll consider saving up and buying a 2x8Gb kit if needed, rather than going all the trouble and risks.

Thanks guys ! I've learned some new stuffs here.

[Nena Trinity]

It will be single channel which is not good but its no disaster!