Upgrading Memory... can I cross the streams?

[Warty]

I'm trying to upgrade my PC for AHIII. I currently have 2 x 2gb memory cards, and want to get at least 8 GB in the machine. The motherboard has 4 slots, so 2 are free. Can I just get another set of 2x2gb, for 8? I can't find the exact same RAM card, it seems to no longer be manufactured. Any risk there? I could also just get 1 x 8 GB or 2x 4GB, and chuck the older memory. The price difference seems to be about $25 vs about $50.

Is there any advantage to having 12GB? AH is the most intense thing that happens on this PC.

This is what is in the machine right now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226120

[Bizman]

Adding 2x2 is fine. You won't notice any big difference having 12 GB, even less in the game. I noticed quite a leap going from 4 to 8 GB especially in responsiveness. More than 8 GB is needed mostly if you do heavy image or video editing.

If you can't find the same brand, try to find the same specs. Or, depending on the price, get a set of a suitable 2x4 and sell the current ones.

    DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
    Timing 6-8-6-24
    Cas Latency 6
    Voltage 1.65V

[Pudgie]

Adding 2x2 is fine. You won't notice any big difference having 12 GB, even less in the game. I noticed quite a leap going from 4 to 8 GB especially in responsiveness. More than 8 GB is needed mostly if you do heavy image or video editing.

If you can't find the same brand, try to find the same specs. Or, depending on the price, get a set of a suitable 2x4 and sell the current ones.

    DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
    Timing 6-8-6-24
    Cas Latency 6
    Voltage 1.65V

This......................... ..

+1

 

[Rich46yo]

I'd get the exact same brand only bigger, with the exact same specs, and then put them exactly into the same slots. Removing what you have in there now. If you have 3 2giggers then get 3 4 giggers and use the same slots currently being used. That mix and match memory thing is a recipe for disaster.

[Warty]

Thanks for help guys! I'll get 8 GB, and won't mix the old/new. I noticed the voltage is different in the ones I was looking at new today. Porbably not a great idea to have mixed voltage memory in the same rig.

[DaddyAce]

Warty, I think if you mix and match, I think the best outcome would be your RAM would run at the speed of the slowest set, assuming it all worked well together.  Especially with the price nowadays I agree with getting 8 GB as the best price for performance.

[MADe]

Warty, I think if you mix and match, I think the best outcome would be your RAM would run at the speed of the slowest set, assuming it all worked well together.  Especially with the price nowadays I agree with getting 8 GB as the best price for performance.

actually, if not careful you could burn out the rams memory controller, all sticks want to be identicle, this is where buying memory kits comes into play, the sticks are matched together by there individual performance characteristics.

the decision to go all new was a good one.
 

[DaddyAce]

I was trying to support going entirely with new RAM; MADe, thanks for making that clarification....

 

[Pudgie]

Thanks for help guys! I'll get 8 GB, and won't mix the old/new. I noticed the voltage is different in the ones I was looking at new today. Porbably not a great idea to have mixed voltage memory in the same rig.

Hi Warty,

You ain't gonna recognize the ole box once you upgrade the RAM and the vid card as that I5 2500K CPU still has some left in the tank.

What mobo you using? I'm assuming an Intel Z77 or Z87 chipset's on it, yes?