Want more RAM

[Ali Baba]

I have duel channel memory on my motherboard and I already have two sticks each 4gb 2133 mhz. I want to install more RAM and I am wondering whether the ram I am going to buy has to be an exact match to the ram I already have (same brand and everything) or can I buy another brand of ram that has the same mhz?

[vong]

38 minutes ago, Ali Baba said:

I have duel channel memory on my motherboard and I already have two sticks each 4gb 2133 mhz. I want to install more RAM and I am wondering whether the ram I am going to buy has to be an exact match to the ram I already have (same brand and everything) or can I buy another brand of ram that has the same mhz?

Preferably should be the same ram.

[iRileyx]

You can mix ram but there's always a chance it won't work, better off buying the same to be safe.

[Oshino Shinobu]

4 minutes ago, vong said:

Has to be the exact same ram. All numbers need to match, not just the speed.

It doesn't have to be the same. Even speed and timings can be different. It's definitely best to match the specs as close as possible, but it can work if they are different as they will adjust to the slowest module. 

 

Match them for best chances of working, but even the exact same modules aren't certain to work together if they're not from the same kit. 

[typographie]

7 minutes ago, Ali Baba said:

I have duel channel memory on my motherboard and I already have two sticks each 4gb 2133 mhz. I want to install more RAM and I am wondering whether the ram I am going to buy has to be an exact match to the ram I already have (same brand and everything) or can I buy another brand of ram that has the same mhz?

It doesn't have to be an exact match, and ideally your motherboard should detect any difference in the specifications and set all of your memory to match the poorest value installed. But if you can buy more memory that is exactly the same as what you already have, that's probably the smartest way to do it.

[ProjectBox153]

18 minutes ago, vong said:

Has to be the exact same ram. All numbers need to match, not just the speed.

No, mixing RAM isn't guaranteed to work, but using parts from a different manufacturer isn't going to be a problem. Just match the speeds and timings and you'll be fine.

[vong]

26 minutes ago, Oshino Shinobu said:

It doesn't have to be the same. Even speed and timings can be different. It's definitely best to match the specs as close as possible, but it can work if they are different as they will adjust to the slowest module. 

 

Match them for best chances of working, but even the exact same modules aren't certain to work together if they're not from the same kit. 

Oh I always though that the timings needed to be the same. I knew of the speed matching the lowest module but forgot.

[Oshino Shinobu]

2 minutes ago, vong said:

Oh I always though that the timings needed to be the same. I knew of the speed matching the lowest module but forgot.

It's best if they are the same, but they don't have to be. I would say that the operating voltage is probably the most important spec to keep the same. Other specs can be adjusted with no issues (though, like always, mixing RAM is not certain to work)

[Sauron]

33 minutes ago, vong said:

Has to be the exact same ram. All numbers need to match, not just the speed.

that's not true, the system will simly run all modules sharing the same channel at the lowest common frequency and timings. however, mixing different ram could cause instability and crashes in some situations.

[zMeul]

mixing RAM modules is not a good idea

one - because of the timings and speed might not be correctly recognized

single ranked vs dual ranked DIMMs cannot be used in same setup

 

buying a 2nd kitt should be the same - and even then there's not 100% guarantee it's going to work