2x4GB + 4GB RAM possible?

[MissPiggy420]

Hey, i have 8GB RAM (2x4GB). Is possible to just add 4GB with the same speed and all?

 

[Hellfire13]

That is an uncertainty and it cannot be answered definetively. Mixing RAM is never a good idea because even if the speeds match, the timings and latencies might not match. Hence why they are sold in kits. But that doesnt mean it cannot work. The only way to find out is by testing.

 

[MissPiggy420]

That is an uncertainty and it cannot be answered definetively. Mixing RAM is never a good idea because even if the speeds match, the timings and latencies might not match. Hence why they are sold in kits. But that doesnt mean it cannot work. The only way to find out is by testing.

can i increase the chance of working by purchasing the same set / the same brand?

 

[okcnaline]

If your motherboard has more than 2 RAM slots, yes. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

 

[iamacow]

Generally speaking yes it will work with lower speeds, but you will need to have the same voltage across all the sticks. So say you are buying another 4GB of 1333 @1.5v it should work. Also keep in mind that your system will switch to single channel mode.

 

[Hellfire13]

That is an uncertainty and it cannot be answered definetively. Mixing RAM is never a good idea because even if the speeds match, the timings and latencies might not match. Hence why they are sold in kits. But that doesnt mean it cannot work. The only way to find out is by testing.

can i increase the chance of working by purchasing the same set / the same brand?

As i said, its cannot be said definitively. I have had same sets bought at different times fail on me on some occasions while work fine on other occasions, in my years of pc building. But yeah, most of the times, it does work out if they are identical. The only way to know for sure is to test it out. You can always return it if it doesnt work.

 

[iamacow]

I've never had a problem with mixing DDR3 in 20+ work computers. However they are all running at 1333. DDR2 and speeds like 2400 DDR3 is a whole different story. They usually don't run mixed.