2x4 dual channel sticks of ram, can I add 2 more sticks of ram (the same brand and dual channel)?

[James Noscoper]

2x4 dual channel sticks of ram, can I add 2 more sticks of ram (the same brand and dual channel)?

and if so in alternate slots - New, old, new old.
or should I move them together - New, New, Old, Old / Old, Old, New, New

 

[Rogue Leader]

This is sort of a loaded question. The short answer is yes, if you can purchase the exact same brand and model, and keep the channels aligned (so if you used slots 1 and 3 for the old ones, use 2 and 4 for the new ones). I have done this many many times with no issues as others have here as well. My current computer has a second set of Corsair I bought 2 years later, 0 issues. My previous setup had 2 different brands and 0 issues.

The longer answer and I'm sure a bunch of memory zealots will come here and say is no you can't. You should go out and buy all the same memory at the same time. The reason is that depending on the brand sometimes they change the chip manufacturer over time (Corsair is known to have done this), and if they use different chips there can be compatibility issues. Or if your pair of memory is a different brand that will be a problem as well I don't 100% agree with this, don't get me wrong it IS possible to cause issues. I just don't think they can be as prolific as those folks think. Just keep in mind a company (Crucial) makes a lot of money selling memory upgrades that match the specs but not the exact brand and manufacturer of memory (because they sell their own). If people were having these issues all the time they wouldn't have much business.