Can i use ram with different speeds on the computer?

[b22222c]

Hi, if my motherboard support 1600mhz ram but also support 2400mhz ram can i put 1 stick of 8GB 1600mhz and other of 8GB 2400mhz? i should use sticks with same speed? Processor also support both speeds. Thanks

 

[Jung]

It might work (depending on how picky the MB is and RAM timings), but it is not recommended. For the best performance and stability, stick with identical DIMMs.

 

[mrt3]

You can put one 1600mhz and other of 2400mhz but Mixing RAM speed, however, is a slightly different matter. In theory, if you had to, you could mix, say, this Patriot model (DDR3 1333) with this Corsair model (DDR3 1600), since they have the same cas latency, timings and recommended voltage. Your motherboard would probably just automatically underclock the faster one and you wouldn’t run into any problems. Thus, it’s possible, but note that when you start mixing speeds, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so to speak. Your RAM will only run at the speed of the slowest DIMM, unless you wanted to overclock the others.

None of this necessarily guarantees functioning RAM, of course — you may be greeted with the Blue Screen of Death if your DIMMs just don’t like each other (or your motherboard doesn’t like one of the DIMMs). Most of the time, though, your computer will run fine if you mix different brands, sizes and speeds. If you’re just doing it to cobble together a second PC from old parts and don’t want to spend any money, that’s fine — but if you’re adding RAM to your current computer, I’d recommend getting the exact same type of RAM you already have installed. Memory is cheap enough nowadays that you’re probably better off just buying some new DIMMs and calling it a day — that’s the only way you’re going to get the best performance out of your PC.

 

[bootcher]

In general it is best practice to use sticks of same make and model to make sure they are compatible and neither slow down the other. Though it is possible to mix different sticks of different speeds and brands, the computer will always set all ram to work at the slowest ram's speed. So if you buy a 2400 mhz ram stick to work next to a 1600 mhz ram stick, both will run at 1600 mhz (and at same timings).

 

[Ki11ian]

so my Corsair vengence 1600mhz sticks will just dumb down to my current g skill sniper's 1333 as long as voltage and cas latency are the same?

 

[mrt3]

so my Corsair vengence 1600mhz sticks will just dumb down to my current g skill sniper's 1333 as long as voltage and cas latency are the same?

yes but you can OC the G.skill to reach the potential of vengeance

 

[Tradesman1]

The biggest thing is if the sticks will even play together and there are no guarantees, not if with two packages of the same exact model of DRAM - that's why the manufacturers make offer such a wide selection of packaging 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8 sticks, all the sticks in a package have been tested to play nice with each other. We often see people 'outsmarting' the manufacturers and buying two sets of 2 sticks rathen than a 4 stick set, because they are 'saving' $5 or whatever. Only to find the two sets won't play nice, and they they pat return postage, restocking fees, ets and that $5 they 'saved' ends up costing them and extra $20-25 or more 😉 The forums are full of threads about people trying to mix DRAM.

If you already have the DRAM and want to try, let us know the model numbers, the mobo model and CPU model, and can offer some suggested settings

 

[UDYA__]

Hey all have answered you wrong. The thing is if you use different speed of rams , all will run on the minimum speed ram you have used . Your 2400mhz will run on 1600 mhz . Thats it.
Except this reason no harm is there .

 

[Tradesman1]

Hey all have answered you wrong. The thing is if you use different speed of rams , all will run on the minimum speed ram you have used . Your 2400mhz will run on 1600 mhz . Thats it.
Except this reason no harm is there .

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Can you then explain whey we have hundreds if not thousands of threads of people that have mixed DRAM and it won't run at all 😉