Mis-matched Ram?

[Raphhashem]

I keep finding contradicting information everywhere regarding this issue. Is it generally okay to add different branded ram running at a different speed to a pc with ram already in it. I've currently got two sticks of corsair 4gb xm3 1600mhz, and want to add a stick of 4gb Hyper X fury at 1866mhz. This is because I need a slight buffer over 8gb as I use it all. I know it'd run at a lower 1600mhz, but what about the timings and stuff? Would I need to set them manually or what?

[iJarbus]

I keep finding contradicting information everywhere regarding this issue. Is it generally okay to add different branded ram running at a different speed to a pc with ram already in it. I've currently got two sticks of corsair 4gb xm3 1600mhz, and want to add a stick of 4gb Hyper X fury at 1866mhz. This is because I need a slight buffer over 8gb as I use it all. I know it'd run at a lower 1600mhz, but what about the timings and stuff? Would I need to set them manually or what?

It's super not recommended but I have done it and it worked although all bets are off on reliability and compatibility in exact situations. If it was me I'd try to match the RAM if you can, failing that get a similar stick from the same brand.

[Liltrekkie]

I'll spare you the talk about same stuff and what not. you already know it

 

It will run at the same timings that your current RAM runs at. You MIGHT have to tweak the timings if it doesn't boot into windows. But I do not think you will have to do that, as most DDR3 run 'similar' timing tables between 1600 and 1866 mhz

[Fetzie]

These days RAM (at least consumer RAM) doesn't particularly care about what other RAM you have installed. So long as the memory runs at the same voltage, it should work out of the box and the memory controller will downclock the faster RAM to the specifications of the slowest stick(s).

 

Server memory, on the other hand, is extremely picky about compatibility, but the consumer grade stuff is pretty much plug and play regardless of speeds and timings.