[SOLVED] 20Gb(2400MHz) vs 16Gb(3200MHz)

NoMercyBeAst

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Oct 18, 2017
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So i had 2 sticks of 8x1(3200Mhz) and 4x1(2400Mhz).
Now i am planning to get a new 8x1(3200Mhz) Stick for dual channel .
Should i get rid of the 4gb stick or should i just keep it.

PC SPECS:-
Ryzen 3600X
Gtx 1060 6Gb
Corsair CV550W
GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Master
 
Solution
What you SHOULD do, is SELL it ALL, and then get ONE kit, with DIMMs that were matched and tested at the factory to be compatible with each other. Besides which, using the 2400mhz DIMMs will make ALL of the memory run at 2400mhz, if it runs at all. And the chances are good that the two 3200mhz DIMMs won't play nice together either, but of the two options that is the one you would want to at least try.

16GB of 3200mhz memory in a two DIMM dual channel configuration is going to likely offer better performance in most scenarios, especially if this is a gaming system, than having an extra 4GB of memory and a much slower frequency.



The odd man out, (Or, mixed memory)

While memory modules that did not come...
What you SHOULD do, is SELL it ALL, and then get ONE kit, with DIMMs that were matched and tested at the factory to be compatible with each other. Besides which, using the 2400mhz DIMMs will make ALL of the memory run at 2400mhz, if it runs at all. And the chances are good that the two 3200mhz DIMMs won't play nice together either, but of the two options that is the one you would want to at least try.

16GB of 3200mhz memory in a two DIMM dual channel configuration is going to likely offer better performance in most scenarios, especially if this is a gaming system, than having an extra 4GB of memory and a much slower frequency.



The odd man out, (Or, mixed memory)

While memory modules that did not come together in a matched set that was tested by the manufacturer to be compatible, certainly CAN still work together, often it does not. Right up front I'll tell you that if you are trying to get sticks to work in the same machine together that were purchased separately, even if they are otherwise identical according to the kit or model number or if they would seem to have identical timings and voltage requirements, there is a very good chance that you simply will not be able to do that. There is also a pretty fair chance that you might be able to if you are willing to take your time, listen to and understand what you are being told and follow the steps necessary to determining if they will "play nice" or not.

The exception in most cases will be that if the memory from both sets are the same speed and timings and both kits are within the JEDEC specifications for the default speed on that platform, so for example, 2666mhz on the latest Intel Z390 platform, 2133mhz on Ryzen first and second Gen platforms, then they stand a much better chance of working together but if they are higher speed kits the chances begin to diminish from what they might be at the low speed and loose timings end of the scale.

A word of advice. If you just purchased this memory, and for whatever reason you bought two separate sticks of the same memory instead of buying them together in a matched set, see if you can return them for a refund or credit towards buying a similar or same set of matched sticks that come together in a kit. It is ALWAYS better to have matched modules because from brand to brand, or even within the same brand, in fact, even when the part numbers are IDENTICAL, there can be anything from simply slightly different memory chips that were sourced from different bins at the end or beginning of a production run to entirely different configurations altogether even though the model numbers seem to be the same. Some manufacturers even reuse model numbers when they discontinue a product. Point being, memory is only the same for sure when all sticks came out of the same blister pack or packaging and were sold as a tested kit.

In order to determine if differences in the memory, or a need for increased voltage when using more than one stick (Especially if you are running three or more sticks) are responsible for the problems you are having you will always want to begin your troubleshooting process by attempting to boot the machine with only a single stick of memory installed. Also, for practically every consumer motherboard that's been sold since at least as far back as about 2014, the A2 memory slot which is the second slot over from the CPU socket, is THE slot that is most commonly designated for the installation of a single memory module. Slots A2 and B2 are almost always the slots specified in the motherboard memory population rules for use with two modules. If you need to install a third module I have no opinion on which of the remaining slots to use for that, but typically since the A1 slot is right next to the CPU socket and often interferes with the CPU cooler or fan, I'd say the B1 slot was probably just as good.

Honestly, I don't ever recommend that you HAVE three modules installed anyhow. Using memory in pairs is almost always a better option, except on boards that support triple channel memory population, so that normal dual channel operation will occur. And that's another thing. When it comes to memory there are no "single channel" or "dual channel" memory modules. There are ONLY memory modules and the motherboard and CPU architecture will determine whether or not dual, triple or quad channel operation is possible based on the architecture and how many modules are in use. Occasionally though there are situations where it might make sense to run three modules and some boards CAN use three modules in a FLEX type mode where two of the modules will operate in dual channel while the third oddball module will run in single channel. I'd avoid oddball configurations though if possible because many motherboards will simply run ALL modules in single channel mode when an odd number of modules are installed.



If you think you will ever need "X amount" of memory, then buy "X amount" of memory from the start so you can get it all in a matched set that has been tested,
and eliminate a lot of problems right from the start.
 
Solution

NoMercyBeAst

Reputable
Oct 18, 2017
102
16
4,615
What you SHOULD do, is SELL it ALL, and then get ONE kit, with DIMMs that were matched and tested at the factory to be compatible with each other. Besides which, using the 2400mhz DIMMs will make ALL of the memory run at 2400mhz, if it runs at all. And the chances are good that the two 3200mhz DIMMs won't play nice together either, but of the two options that is the one you would want to at least try.

16GB of 3200mhz memory in a two DIMM dual channel configuration is going to likely offer better performance in most scenarios, especially if this is a gaming system, than having an extra 4GB of memory and a much slower frequency.



The odd man out, (Or, mixed memory)

While memory modules that did not come together in a matched set that was tested by the manufacturer to be compatible, certainly CAN still work together, often it does not. Right up front I'll tell you that if you are trying to get sticks to work in the same machine together that were purchased separately, even if they are otherwise identical according to the kit or model number or if they would seem to have identical timings and voltage requirements, there is a very good chance that you simply will not be able to do that. There is also a pretty fair chance that you might be able to if you are willing to take your time, listen to and understand what you are being told and follow the steps necessary to determining if they will "play nice" or not.

The exception in most cases will be that if the memory from both sets are the same speed and timings and both kits are within the JEDEC specifications for the default speed on that platform, so for example, 2666mhz on the latest Intel Z390 platform, 2133mhz on Ryzen first and second Gen platforms, then they stand a much better chance of working together but if they are higher speed kits the chances begin to diminish from what they might be at the low speed and loose timings end of the scale.

A word of advice. If you just purchased this memory, and for whatever reason you bought two separate sticks of the same memory instead of buying them together in a matched set, see if you can return them for a refund or credit towards buying a similar or same set of matched sticks that come together in a kit. It is ALWAYS better to have matched modules because from brand to brand, or even within the same brand, in fact, even when the part numbers are IDENTICAL, there can be anything from simply slightly different memory chips that were sourced from different bins at the end or beginning of a production run to entirely different configurations altogether even though the model numbers seem to be the same. Some manufacturers even reuse model numbers when they discontinue a product. Point being, memory is only the same for sure when all sticks came out of the same blister pack or packaging and were sold as a tested kit.

In order to determine if differences in the memory, or a need for increased voltage when using more than one stick (Especially if you are running three or more sticks) are responsible for the problems you are having you will always want to begin your troubleshooting process by attempting to boot the machine with only a single stick of memory installed. Also, for practically every consumer motherboard that's been sold since at least as far back as about 2014, the A2 memory slot which is the second slot over from the CPU socket, is THE slot that is most commonly designated for the installation of a single memory module. Slots A2 and B2 are almost always the slots specified in the motherboard memory population rules for use with two modules. If you need to install a third module I have no opinion on which of the remaining slots to use for that, but typically since the A1 slot is right next to the CPU socket and often interferes with the CPU cooler or fan, I'd say the B1 slot was probably just as good.

Honestly, I don't ever recommend that you HAVE three modules installed anyhow. Using memory in pairs is almost always a better option, except on boards that support triple channel memory population, so that normal dual channel operation will occur. And that's another thing. When it comes to memory there are no "single channel" or "dual channel" memory modules. There are ONLY memory modules and the motherboard and CPU architecture will determine whether or not dual, triple or quad channel operation is possible based on the architecture and how many modules are in use. Occasionally though there are situations where it might make sense to run three modules and some boards CAN use three modules in a FLEX type mode where two of the modules will operate in dual channel while the third oddball module will run in single channel. I'd avoid oddball configurations though if possible because many motherboards will simply run ALL modules in single channel mode when an odd number of modules are installed.



If you think you will ever need "X amount" of memory, then buy "X amount" of memory from the start so you can get it all in a matched set that has been tested,
and eliminate a lot of problems right from the start.
Thanks, ill just sell it all and get 2x8Gb pairs.
 
You don't want to do that either, if you are going for 32GB. You want to get ONE kit with FOUR DIMMs in it if you are wanting to do that. Getting two kits with each of them having 2x 8GB puts you right back in the same position your in now with two kits that were not factory tested to be compatible with each other.

If 16GB is what you are after, then yes, getting one kit with 2x 8GB is the correct way to go if you want to avoid the potential for incompatibility problems.
 

NoMercyBeAst

Reputable
Oct 18, 2017
102
16
4,615
You don't want to do that either, if you are going for 32GB. You want to get ONE kit with FOUR DIMMs in it if you are wanting to do that. Getting two kits with each of them having 2x 8GB puts you right back in the same position your in now with two kits that were not factory tested to be compatible with each other.

If 16GB is what you are after, then yes, getting one kit with 2x 8GB is the correct way to go if you want to avoid the potential for incompatibility problems.
Yes i am planning to get to 16gb ram.