Question RAM upgrade: can you mix RAM manufacturers ?

[Rodion15]

My desktop PC has a memory module of 16GB. I'd like to add another module of 16GB.
I checked there are another 3 free RAM slots.

Memory: Slot "P0 CHANNEL A", 16 GB, Speed "3200 MHz DIMM", Type "Unknown", Manufacturer "A-DATA Technology"
Motherboard: GIGABYTE B550M DS3H (mATX, DDR4, AM4, PCIe 4.0)

Should I buy a memory of the same manufacturer? or is it OK to buy a module of a reputed manufacturer, if it is the same speed and DDR type?

Any advice much appreciated

 

[USAFRet]

Question that is asked here daily, multiple times per day.

No.

Memory is sold as a set for a reason.
Mix and match may work, it may fail.
Even of supposedly "the same".

Anything that does not come in the same box is suspect.

 

[Lutfij]

can you mix memory manufacturers?
Simple answer, no. Long answer, you're introducing instability and more often then not, you're end up ripping your hair out or end up with grey hair dealing with BSoD's if you can get past POST.

If you want to upgrade your ram, invest in a matched ram kit that comes from the factory.

 

[DSzymborski]

Heck, using the RAM from the same manufacturer doesn't necessarily work even. Only RAM sticks sold together are guaranteed to work together. It certainly may work -- I do this all the time, but you have to prepared for the possibility that it will not.

And having the same brand definitely doesn't mean anything. One Corsair stick might be more similar to a Patriot or G.Skill stick than another Corsair stick, even one with the identical Corsair branding.

 

[35below0]

As others have said, it will not work without difficulties or not at all (PC wont boot).

I suggest you sell your current RAM, and buy a 2x16Gb kit. (sell your RAM after you get the new one obviously)

Vendor reputation is not very important. Buying RAM that is compatible with your motherboard is important. Unfortunately, not every kit is compatible with every motherboard. There are too many kits and motherboards, and CPUs. It's complicated
Motherboard and memory vendors do maintain lists of RAM kits they have tested and can confirm are compatible.
You can check the lists for your motherboard here: https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B550M-DS3H-rev-10-11-12-13/support#support-doc

Leftmost column is RAM speed. The most important one is Module P/N. Search these online and compare prices. All are compatible, but anything not on this list is unknown. May work, may not. Won't damage your computer, but it may stop it from booting.

This is one kit i found: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/wn...6-gb-ddr4-3200-cl22-memory-ted432g3200c22dc01
Before buying anything, tell us what is your CPU?

 

[lvt]

If you ask the same question about car tires, you will get the same answer.

No, do not mix things that are made to be used as pair or set with different units. Even if it might work for you, you still did the wrong thing.

 

[35below0]

If you ask the same question about car tires, you will get the same answer.

No, do not mix things that are made to be used as pair or set with different units. Even if it might work for you, you still did the wrong thing.

Not a great analogy because the car will basically still work mostly normally. A PC with mixed RAM may refuse to even start.
The only way a car would refuse to drive is if you put monster truck tires on it.

 

[Rodion15]

As others have said, it will not work without difficulties or not at all (PC wont boot).

I suggest you sell your current RAM, and buy a 2x16Gb kit. (sell your RAM after you get the new one obviously)

Vendor reputation is not very important. Buying RAM that is compatible with your motherboard is important. Unfortunately, not every kit is compatible with every motherboard. There are too many kits and motherboards, and CPUs. It's complicated
Motherboard and memory vendors do maintain lists of RAM kits they have tested and can confirm are compatible.
You can check the lists for your motherboard here: https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B550M-DS3H-rev-10-11-12-13/support#support-doc

Leftmost column is RAM speed. The most important one is Module P/N. Search these online and compare prices. All are compatible, but anything not on this list is unknown. May work, may not. Won't damage your computer, but it may stop it from booting.

This is one kit i found: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/wn...6-gb-ddr4-3200-cl22-memory-ted432g3200c22dc01
Before buying anything, tell us what is your CPU?

Unimprovable answer. The thing is that the memory module comes with a sticker "PC Specialist" which is the PC builder and it's got a PCSpecialist metal hold plate (a heatsink?) that stops the lettering on the chips, so I cannot know the PN so I can buy it online (and HWinfo64 won't show the PN). So I eventually contacted them and they'll sell me a paired module, which is a bit cheaper than the pair you suggested.

Super-Thanks!

 

[35below0]

There is

Your answer couldn't be better. The thing is that the memory module comes with a sticker "PC Specialist" which is the PC buider I bought it from and it's got a metal hold plate that stops the lettering on the chip, so I cannot know the PN so I can buy it online (and HWinfo64 won't show the PN). So I eventually contacted them and they'll sell me a paired module, which is a bit cheaper than the pair you suggested.

Super-Thanks!

S

a way

- Open command prompt (hit winkey, search for "cmd").
- Type in or paste this: "wmic memorychip get devicelocator, partnumber"; hit Enter
Partnumber is your module P/N

 

[Rodion15]

There is

a way

- Open command prompt (hit winkey, search for "cmd").
- Type in or paste this: "wmic memorychip get devicelocator, partnumber"; hit Enter
Partnumber is your module P/N

Thanks, that's a good try: unfortunately both the wmic command and CPU-Z give a "blank" for part number. Also the powershell command:
Get-CimInstance -ClassName "Win32_PhysicalMemory" | Select-Object BankLabel, Manufacturer, PartNumber, Capacity, Speed

All I got is this:

 

[35below0]

Since it's their prebuilt PC, it's best to go through PC Specialist.

The PN is PCS4U3200SP16G-B btw, not that it changes anything. Not sure why they feel the need to blank the memory module original PN.

 

[Rodion15]

Since it's their prebuilt PC, it's best to go through PC Specialist.

The PN is PCS4U3200SP16G-B btw, not that it changes anything. Not sure why they feel the need to blank the memory module original PN.

Thanks mate, I learnt from you 🙂