Can I mix up my RAM?

[2034d9]

Currently running 2x 4GB RAM in dual channel, both ddr3 1600mhz. I found a old 2GB ddr3 stick of ram, pretty sure it's a different speed, am I able to add this stick to my mobo, or will this make my system unstable or have negative affects?

 

[lakimens]

You can't be sure it will work, if it works all the RAM sticks will be downclocked to the lowest one and if it doesn't, just take it out and no harm done.

 

[te100]

if it works it would most likely cause the ram to run at the speed of the older stick

 

[Tradesman1]

You have the stick, give it a try, if problems let us know model numbers of the sticks as well as what mobo and CPU, then we can try to make adjustments to get them to play

 

[MeanMachine41]

Currently running 2x 4GB RAM in dual channel, both ddr3 1600mhz. I found a old 2GB ddr3 stick of ram, pretty sure it's a different speed, am I able to add this stick to my mobo, or will this make my system unstable or have negative affects?

You should never mix DIMM kits, even of the same spec and differing speeds will be clocked back to lowest frequency.
You take a risk when doing so as they may or may not work together.
Read this authoritative article: https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?57038-Don%92t...!-The-meat-and-potatoes-overview

Sometimes you can make them work with Bios intervention but this can be frustrating and not worth the effort.

 

[Tradesman1]

Currently running 2x 4GB RAM in dual channel, both ddr3 1600mhz. I found a old 2GB ddr3 stick of ram, pretty sure it's a different speed, am I able to add this stick to my mobo, or will this make my system unstable or have negative affects?

You should never mix DIMM kits, even of the same spec and differing speeds will be clocked back to lowest frequency.
You take a risk when doing so as they may or may not work together.
Read this authoritative article: https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?57038-Don%92t...!-The-meat-and-potatoes-overview

Sometimes you can make them work with Bios intervention but this can be frustrating and not worth the effort.

______________

If you've got the DRAM it doesn't hurt to try....and no if they do play you are not forced to run at the slower speed, the BIOS will set to lowest common data rate - from there, it's whatever YOU can do with them, I've often mixed disparate sticks that would play and run them over and above spec for either, i.e. 2x4GB 1866 and a 2x4GB set of 2133 and ran them at 2400. The big thing, is if they will even play.

Raja's article is very good, you might also look at my FAQs and Fiction articles on DRAM




http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2741495/ddr3-faqs-fiction.html