Bought the wrong RAM modules... Can I still use it?

[CWSfan16]

The only difference in the two different RAM kits are the one already in my computer is a 1600MHz and the one I just bought is a 2400Mhz.  I know, that was a stupid mistake.  Other than that, they are the same sticks of RAM... Same size, same manufacturer.  Can I still use it? If not, it is an easy trip back to Microcenter

[WoodenMarker]

What ram is it? They should just run together at the lowest of the two speeds just fine. That being said, it isn't guaranteed by the manufacturer when you use ram in different configurations.

[Guest]

Yes. The RAM speed will downclock to match the lower one which is 1600

[saladcrack]

I believe they will just run at the lowest clock speed? Don't quote me on that though. Probably best to just run back to Microcenter.

[JJS]

I should be fine. If not, just pop it out again. No harm done

[AnonymousGuy]

It may work, but it's not guaranteed.  Asus recommends against even using 2 identical kits (to double your capacity) because of the claim that many sub-timings may be different.

[Guest]

Will just run at 1600, the lower speeds of the two

[CWSfan16]

The RAM I have in my computer is 16GB EVGA DDR3 Super-Clocked @1600 and the RAM I bought was 16GB EVGA BBR3 Super-Super-Clocked at 2400

 

[BurningSmile]

While it should work please verify that the timings, voltage, and latency are the same. You could run into problems if those don't match. The ram will run at the slower of the two speeds (in this case 1600 MHZ.) 

 

 

[deWaardt]

My PC has some RAM configuration that everybody recommends against.

 

1*8GB 1600mhz Crucial Technology something

1*4GB 1600mhz Kingston something.

 

It works just fine. And I don't know if CPU-Z is lying or not, but it claims they're working in Dual Channel. Sorry CPU-Z, I don't think it works that way.

 

 

Anyway,

Before that I had an even stranger setup, one 4gb at 1600mhz and one 2gb at 1333mhz, from different brands.

They worked fine at 1333mhz, even on this cheap crappy motherboard I have.

 

 

You can basically mix almost any RAM configurations nowadays, if they fit in the slot it'll most likely work. Might not work as well as two identical dimm's, but it'll work.