[SOLVED] Can i add another 2x4gb to my current 2x4gb without issues?

[Vikerules]

i7-4790k
asus Z97-A motherboard
current ram: DDR3 Corsair Vengeance LP 2x4gb (8gb) 1600mhz (red colored ram) model number CML8GX3M2A1600C9R

This ram has identical name but they are gray instead of red and the model number is missing the R at the end, i couldnt find the red version so i guess they arent selling those anymore.
https://www.inet.se/produkt/5315229/corsair-8gb-2x4gb-ddr3-cl9-1600mhz-vengeance-lp-svart

If i buy these and put them in will i be able to run them properly?

 

[boju]

Yeah maybe. Mixing ram isn't guaranteed so ya won't know until ya try it.

Ram in my sig are a mixed set. I was lucky and often does work. There's always that 'if' though.

 

[geofelt]

Perhaps.
Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
The internal workings are designed for the capacity of the kit.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards, can be very sensitive to this.
This is more difficult when more sticks are involved.
Intel is relatively tolerant of disparate ddr3 kits.
I put your odds of success at perhaps 90%

What is your plan "B" if the new stick/s do not work?

If you want 16gb, my suggestion to buy a 2 x 8gb kit that matches your current specs.
Then, try adding in your old 8gb,
If it works, good; you now have extra ram.
If not, sell the old ram or keep it as a spare.

 

[Vikerules]

this is what i found on the motherboard manual, but then again, its missing the last R number

https://imgur.com/IdCz8ul

View: https://i.imgur.com/IdCz8ul.png

 

[geofelt]

The issue is not matching specs, but matching internal characteristics.

 

[boju]

It'll probably still work. I agree with Geo, go for a set of 8s and be done with it.

Personal experience and prefer Gskill over Corsair.

https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-16gb-240-pin-ddr3-sdram/p/N82E16820231568?&quicklink=true

 

[boju]

Edited link. The reds were CL10, blue CL9.

 

[Vikerules]

Perhaps.
Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
The internal workings are designed for the capacity of the kit.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards, can be very sensitive to this.
This is more difficult when more sticks are involved.
Intel is relatively tolerant of disparate ddr3 kits.
I put your odds of success at perhaps 90%

What is your plan "B" if the new stick/s do not work?

If you want 16gb, my suggestion to buy a 2 x 8gb kit that matches your current specs.
Then, try adding in your old 8gb,
If it works, good; you now have extra ram.
If not, sell the old ram or keep it as a spare.

Plan B = my irl brother has identical ram as me (also red) but he bought his 1 or 2 years after i bought mine from the same place, if the gray ones doesnt work ill probably trade with him and use his. If his doesnt work i will refund them i guess

What should i expect when i put them in and start the pc? If they dont work, will the PC even post? Or will it start up but still show 8gb ram? Should i get any kind of ram testing program if it does start and show 16gb ram?

 

[geofelt]

You have a reasonable contingency plan.

The most likely outcome is that you post and all runs well.

The first negative possibility is that you will not post.
In that case, try your new sticks all by themselves to verify that they are good.

Next possibility is that the motherboard takes time to figure out a setting that works and posts ok.
This may take a few minutes.

If nothing works, your motherboard will have a bios option to increase the ram voltage.
Put in a good stick and raise the voltage a bit.
Then put in all the ram and see if that posts.

Your objective in all of this is to get the full capacity working.
The speed is not particularly important. If you can't run at 1600, 1333 is ok.
Performance will be hardly impacted.

Intel and ddr3 is quite tolerant so I expect that all will work first time.

To test ram,
Run memtest86.
It boots from a usb stick and does not use windows.
You can download the free edition here:
https://www.memtest86.com/download.htm

If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.