Some quick (and possibly dumb) questions about RAM.

[Elcura]

Alright, about a year ago I made a thread asking about a build for a PC I wanted. Fast forwarding the PC has been built and all is fine - except for an issue with one of the sticks of RAM I got. It didn't work and caused my PC to bluescreen. It wasn't a big deal, I just had to make do with 4gigs. However, this christmas I decided I wanted to get more RAM.

But the type I ordered a year ago has been discontinued, so my questions are:

If I find some RAM made by the same manufacturers (Corsair) with basically the exact same specs as the RAM I'm using now, will they work together? I'm a bit worried about having 2 different sets of RAM working at the same time.

And if they do work, will 2x2gig and 3x2gig go together well enough for 10 gigs? Whenever I hear about RAM amounts, it's always in sets like 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, etc. And again, this may be a dumb question, but is 10 acceptable? I'd like to use what I have now with what I want to get without issues. And if possible avoid buying another set just so I can get 8+.

Just to note, the RAM is mostly for 3D applications, it isn't so much for games (though I'm sure it helps). 4 gigs is pretty depressing.

[Ratatapa]

You can use different compagnies without a problem, like you said just make sure they run at the same speed

Exemple you get 2gig at 533 and 5 gig at 1066 they will run at 533

Also I would read your MOBO and place the same sticks in dual channel

Exemple you have 2 Kingston and 2 corsair and they do Dual channel

I would do exemple Slot 0 Kingston Slot1 Corsair Slot 2 Kingston Slot3 Corsair because Normally Slot 0 and 2 are Dual together and 1-3 also etc

[Isiolia]

If I find some RAM made by the same manufacturers (Corsair) with basically the exact same specs as the RAM I'm using now, will they work together? I'm a bit worried about having 2 different sets of RAM working at the same time.

Generally speaking, you just need something that will meet or exceed the spec of what you already have. If you buy something better, assuming it's still the same basic tech, it should still work. It can be something to keep in mind, since sometimes faster memory is actually cheaper, if that's what companies are cranking out tons of.

And if they do work, will 2x2gig and 3x2gig go together well enough for 10 gigs? Whenever I hear about RAM amounts, it's always in sets like 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, etc. And again, this may be a dumb question, but is 10 acceptable? I'd like to use what I have now with what I want to get without issues. And if possible avoid buying another set just so I can get 8+.

To elaborate a little on what was mentioned - most chipsets now can run RAM in dual or triple channel configurations (not all do triple channel), which nets a performance gain. To do that, you need functionally identical DIMMs in each bank of 2 or 3 slots. RAM in general has always come in fixed multiples, and multi-channel sets are simply building off of that.

Echoing above, you want to check your motherboard's documentation to see what the manufacturer has stated as valid/recommended configurations. That said, given that you have 4GB now, I'd half doubt that your system supports triple channel memory - thus a 3x2GB set would probably not be the thing to buy. Even if it did, you couldn't mix dual and triple channel. If you want more than 8GB, the easier thing to do is probably to just buy a 2x4GB set and jump to 12GB, provided that it's a supported configuration for your motherboard.

[Elcura]

Just to mention again, the 4GB wasn't on purpose. I was originally planning to have 3x2GB for 6, but one of the sticks didn't work so I settled for 2x2. I tried for a few months to get the broken stick replaced, but shit happens.

I have 6 channels if I understand you correctly (for 6 sticks), but essentially I couldn't (or shouldn't) use 2 sticks in one set and 3 sticks in another? That's kind of a bummer.

[Ratatapa]

6 channel doesnt exist

its either dual channel or tripple channel

I'm going far in what I will say but iirc if you buy DDR3 you will get 3 sticks in 1 package for triplle channel while DDR2 works in dual But don't quote me on that

[Elcura]

Fucking RAM is confusing. Alright, I think I get it. Seems like the best thing to get is 4x2 and try to get 12GB. Thanks for the help guys.

[CoronA1979]

What platform are you running on?

x58 supports Triple Channel DDR3 and you should for sure run a 6gb setup for that setup to take the full potential out of the x58 platform, IMO.

[Elcura]

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152640

Is the RAM I got when I made the computer (minus 1 stick)

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159455

Is my motherboard.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/191184

Is what I'm thinking about getting. Even though I might essentially be wasting a stick.

[Olo401]

Looks like the same memory with just some adjustments to the design. You should be fine as far as matching memory sticks goes since it's the same speed and CAS numbers.

And don't waste a stick - either get a single for 6GB or four to get to 12GB. On X58 if you're not running triple channel you're forced into single, which kills performance big time.

[Isiolia]

Just to mention again, the 4GB wasn't on purpose. I was originally planning to have 3x2GB for 6, but one of the sticks didn't work so I settled for 2x2. I tried for a few months to get the broken stick replaced, but shit happens.

Corsair has a limited lifetime warranty, were you going directly to them, or to the place you bought it? You should be covered I think (my one bad DIMM ever for a personal machine was also Corsair, and it was smooth as can be to get an RMA).

I'm going far in what I will say but iirc if you buy DDR3 you will get 3 sticks in 1 package for triplle channel while DDR2 works in dual But don't quote me on that

Sorry, quoting you =P DDR3 is simply a newer tech than DDR2, it's not only for triple channel.

Fucking RAM is confusing. Alright, I think I get it. Seems like the best thing to get is 4x2 and try to get 12GB. Thanks for the help guys.

Aye, that'd likely work best, unless you want to give RMA'ing your bad DIMM another go.

[Elcura]

I went to the people I bought it from, but I think I'll try corsair and see what happens. Just to note, I have no idea what RMA means lol.

[Isiolia]

Return Material Authorization

It's what most companies refer to warranty claims involving you sending them something as - you contact them regarding your item, they issue an RMA number, you send it to them with that number, and they know what they just received in the mail.

Contextually, it's a reference to that process, which is to say, getting your RAM swapped out under warranty =P

[Elcura]

Cool, thanks a lot. You've been a big help!

[Ratatapa]

Yeah RMA and RAM can come confusing lol

[Callisto]

Sorry to hijack, but I have a quick, and possibly dumb RAM question myself and didn't want to start a new thread for it. Anyways I have a freshly assembled PC with an i7-950 and 6GB of Corsair Dominator 1600mhz RAM, using a Gigabyte X58-USB3 board. I noticed by default XMP is disabled in my BIOS, and it's clocking my RAM down to 1066. If I change XMP to Enabled it pops it up to the proper 1600, but I don't really know how this crap works so I just wanted to be sure this was ok to do, lol.

[Reality]

speed isn't the only thing that matters. you need to make sure the required voltage spec is nearly identical across both sticks if you're using two non-matched (by brand) sticks of ram. if you're running a dimm that uses 1.8v and one that requires 2.2v, you could run into issues since no motherboards currently let you assign different levels of voltage per dimm slot

[Callisto]

It's 3 identical sticks, this is the package: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145224

Just built the machine yesterday, nothing's mixed-and-matched or frankensteined or anything lol

[Isiolia]

The "stock" RAM speed for that CPU is 1066Mhz (well, 800 or 1066).

XMP is Intel's Extreme Memory Profile - basically a preset for higher performance memory, which the RAM supports.

Basically, it's doing exactly what it's supposed to (I have an i7 950 with that same RAM kit).

[Callisto]

If I'm interpreting that correctly you're saying that me enabling it is all good then?

[Caiyuo]

The "stock" RAM speed for that CPU is 1066Mhz (well, 800 or 1066).

XMP is Intel's Extreme Memory Profile - basically a preset for higher performance memory, which the RAM supports.

Basically, it's doing exactly what it's supposed to (I have an i7 950 with that same RAM kit).

In regards to this, after googling for info on this particular setup, I've read XMP will automatically disable certain things in the BIOS when turned on such as certain features, but the same profile that XMP enacts can be done manually without the downside of having anything you might not want disabled. Know if there's any truth to that?