Help adding additional ram

[Kyoukai]

I know there are a lot of posts about this but could not find definitive answer. Currently the computer has 2 x 2gb ram sticks in a 4 slot motherboard. Am I able to buy 2x4 gb to put in the other 2 slots? If additional information is needed, let me know. 

[GreezyJeezy]

do it just download more ram

[Crossbred]

No, ram should only be installed in the sets it came in.

You can replace the 2x2 with the 4x2, but you can't add on to it. It really messes with the motherboard to have different models of ram installed.

[daniellearmouth]

Just now, Crossbred said:

No, ram should only be installed in the sets it came in.

You can replace the 2x2 with the 4x2, but you can't add on to it. It really messes with the motherboard to have different models of ram installed.

Not necessarily.

 

I can attest to the possibility that there will likely be compatibility errors which can screw stuff up pretty bad. However, what I can also attest to is the fact that it's not always the case.

Having run two 4GB sticks of Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM and two 4GB sticks of Crucial Ballistix VLP DDR3 RAM in the same computer at the same time, it sometimes doesn't matter all that much.

 

RAM is surprisingly flexible when all is said and done.

[Kyoukai]

 

1 minute ago, Crossbred said:

No, ram should only be installed in the sets it came in.

You can replace the 2x2 with the 4x2, but you can't add on to it. It really messes with the motherboard to have different models of ram installed.

I see so if you want 4 sticks, but buys in sets of 2, you need to have same model and speed for the two sets of 2x4gb?

[Crossbred]

Just now, Kyoukai said:

 

I see so if you want 4 sticks, but buys in sets of 2, you need to have same model and speed for the two sets of 2x4gb?

Correct.

[Kyoukai]

Just now, daniellearmouth said:

Not necessarily.

 

I can attest to the possibility that there will likely be compatibility errors which can screw stuff up pretty bad. However, what I can also attest to is the fact that it's not always the case.

Having run two 4GB sticks of Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM and two 4GB sticks of Crucial Ballistix VLP DDR3 RAM in the same computer at the same time, it sometimes doesn't matter all that much.

 

RAM is surprisingly flexible when all is said and done.

so do you suggest me just buying 2x4gb of new ram regardless of the 2x2gb? and just remove the 2x2gb if not compatible, or would installing the 2x2gb and new 2x4gb damage the motherboard?

[Crossbred]

1 minute ago, daniellearmouth said:

Not necessarily.

 

I can attest to the possibility that there will likely be compatibility errors which can screw stuff up pretty bad. However, what I can also attest to is the fact that it's not always the case.

Having run two 4GB sticks of Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM and two 4GB sticks of Crucial Ballistix VLP DDR3 RAM in the same computer at the same time, it sometimes doesn't matter all that much.

 

RAM is surprisingly flexible when all is said and done.

I thought it was the case, but it makes a noticeable difference in software/hardware connectivity long term in my experience. Also, your sticks are all effectively the same. The op is using very different models.

 

2 minutes ago, Kyoukai said:

so do you suggest me just buying 2x4gb of new ram regardless of the 2x2gb? and just remove the 2x2gb if not compatible, or would installing the 2x2gb and new 2x4gb damage the motherboard?

It could interfere with some firmware, which is why I would say to use only the 4x2. Also, you won't notice the difference between 8 and 12gb without doing crazy video editing.