Can I mix these two RAM modules?

aj327

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May 4, 2009
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Can I mix these two RAM modules. The only difference I can see is that the timing on one is 8-8-8-24 and on the other is 9-9-9-24. Is this a problem? I already have 8 GB of the 8-8-8-24. I thought I had ordered 24 GB from newegg but they only sent me one and now they're out of stock. I could buy the 8-8-8-24 off of Amazon but it's $54 more expensive...

My processor is a CORE I7 980 3.33G R.

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Dominator-PC3-12800-1600mHz-CMP8GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B003KWYI8K/ref=pd_cp_e_3

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Dominator-PC3-12800-Platform-CMP8GX3M2A1600C8/dp/B004QBUKZY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314829043&sr=8-1

Thank You!
 
So I can match the timings in the bios or something? I haven't done this in a while.

It's for video editing...🙂
 
Yes, in the BIOS there should be an option to set timings, if it's not done automatically. Set them both to 9-9-9-24 to be safe. But if you feel like OCing (idk why you wouldn't) you can bump them all to 8-8-8.
 
The links show dual channel kits , which is kind of weird since you should be looking for triple channel kits to start with

I think you will be alright mixing what you have . BIOS will almost certainly just run them all at the slacker 9-9-9- timings

But you have 4 sticks and will be forcing the board in to dual channel which really negates a big advantage of socket 1366

Send them back and buy a 12 gig triple channel kit [ or two]
 
Great! If it's that easy I wonder why they charge 50% more for the 8-8-8-24 RAM. I mean I have enough invested in this computer that I don't mind spending a little extra to avoid headaches down the road but if you think the 9-9-9-24 RAM will work I'll just go ahead and order it now.

It's frustrating because I know I ordered 24 GB from Newegg but when I submitted the order they said my order needed to be changed but they didn't tell me what was changed and for some reason I couldn't find the discrepancy at the time. It's annoying because I live in Germany and the shipping for the build was $150 and I had to wait a couple weeks to get it.
 


In the end I'll have 6 sticks (4gb x 6). Does that change things?
 



That is the kind of kit you should be looking for .

The cl9 timing is not that special . I believe you would see performance gains in encoding and editing by using lower timings , but they will cost more so its really a matter of budget .
You can also check the supported memory on the Asus page
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1366/P6X58DE/#specifications

But in practice its very rare for memory [ of the right spec] not to work , even when its not on that list
 
Mixing RAM is never recommended and often will not function together. It's a crap shoot.

At the low current prices of RAM you would be smarter to buy a Tested, MATCHED RAM kit instead of mixing and hoping that two different RAM DIMMs will work together as they often won't even with the same timings.
 
OK well I appreciate the advice on what not to get, but can someone make a specific recommendation on what I should get?
 
Thanks for the advice Striker. I bought the Vengeance RAM that you listed. I did a little research and found a Tom's article that suggested that expensive RAM really isn't worth it. I wouldn't have minded spending a little extra if it would have made a real difference but it's always nice to save money. Thanks again for your help!