8GB Single channel memory + 8GB Dual channel, is possible?

[bunbury911]

Dear experts.

I have a question about a decision i have to take, i have 8GB of RAM, 1333GHZ single channel and i bought 8GB at 1866, all DDR3.

What is the best i can do, put the 16GB together or just use the 8GB 1866 Dual channel.

Is any problem mixing those type of memories?

Thanks

 

[genrldisaray]

Dual channel refers to the number of physical memory channels on the CPU and motherboard. There is no such thing as a single or dual channel stick of memory. You can use both sticks together, but you'll be limited to the performance of the slower one.

 

[bunbury911]

Them is recommended to use the 16GB? or the 8GB dual channel?

 

[cin19]

Since you had those RAM already so you have two options:
1) Put them together, you will get 16GB but the RAM will run in 1333MHz because you mix the RAM, then the speed will run in slowest speed. And if you have intel system, then the RAM from 1333MHz to 2133 MHZ will have almost same performances. But not for the AMD's Trinity APUs, which is high speed is better.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4503/sandy-bridge-memory-scaling-choosing-the-best-ddr3
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-bandwidth-scaling-trinity,3419.html
2) Use one 1866MHz then if you want get other same speed RAM for dual channel later. Also keep in mind the performance is small between the dual and single channel mode (about <10%)
3) You don't need more than 8GB RAM for most usage. I know the review is old but it will tell you the facts. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ram-memory-upgrade,2778-8.html

 

[bunbury911]

Since you had those RAM already so you have two options:
1) Put them together, you will get 16GB but the RAM will run in 1333MHz because you mix the RAM, then the speed will run in slowest speed. And if you have intel system, then the RAM from 1333MHz to 2133 MHZ will have almost same performances. But not for the AMD's Trinity APUs, which is high speed is better.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4503/sandy-bridge-memory-scaling-choosing-the-best-ddr3
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-bandwidth-scaling-trinity,3419.html
2) Use one 1866MHz then if you want get other same speed RAM for dual channel later. Also keep in mind the performance is small between the dual and single channel mode (about <10%)
3) You don't need more than 8GB RAM for most usage. I know the review is old but it will tell you the facts. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ram-memory-upgrade,2778-8.html

I have a A10 5800k processor and a MSI FM2-A85XA-G65 MOBO, i want it to play games, that's why my question about witch option will be better performance.

As i see in your link the performance in most of the games with 8 or 16 GB is not so big, that why i will try to keep 8gb overclocked.

Thanks.

 

[cin19]

You have the A10 so use the 8GB 1866MHz RAM. If you want try to OC the RAM but I am not sure because I don't have the AMD system.