Combining Ram at different voltage/speeds

[brzonte]

Hello,

I currently have 2x2gb 1.5v at 1333mhz ram (on dual channel mode) on my msi p67a-c43 which states that it runs memory at 1.5v. My question is, i have a new 1x4gb 1.65v at 1600mhz with 2 slots still available. The 2x2gb sticks are already on the blue dimms and i just have 2 black dimms left. Can i simply add this stick of 1x4gb or do i have to get 2x4gb at the same speed and voltage or remove the 2x2gb and buy another stick of 4gb and couple that with the 1x4gb i have now?

Thank you very much

 

[fricklesmn]

Very possible it will work, but stability can/will be an issue with different Manufacturers/Speeds/Voltages

Would recommend getting a matched pair to add to system matching existing speeds and voltages, manufacturer too if possible

 

[Eduello]

Buy another 4GB stick. There's a very slim chance it would work with your current setup but not in dual channel.

 

[brzonte]

Ok my plan is to simply return the 4gb stick i have now and get 2x4gb but this time make sure its 1.5v and at 1333Mhz. Now, can i add those 2 sticks and have them perform on dual channel mode along my 2x2gb? for a total of 12Gb?

 

[Tradesman1]

That a definite Maybe! 😉 , any time you mix sticks it can be problematic - even if you bought an identical set to the one you have. With that said, at 1333 chances are fair to good they will play together, install the new 4GB sticks in slots 1-3 and the older in 2-4, freq to 1333, base timings to spec and try with the DRAM voltage up to 1.55 and also raise the VCCIO voltage to 1.15 is any problems

 

[Eduello]

Ok my plan is to simply return the 4gb stick i have now and get 2x4gb but this time make sure its 1.5v and at 1333Mhz. Now, can i add those 2 sticks and have them perform on dual channel mode along my 2x2gb? for a total of 12Gb?

No, you probably can't. If you want to have dual channel, either get two 2GB sticks like the ones you already have or get 2x4GB and use only those. Either way, you'll end up with 8 GB of dual channel RAM, which is easily enough for every single game out there.

 

[brzonte]

Ok my plan is to simply return the 4gb stick i have now and get 2x4gb but this time make sure its 1.5v and at 1333Mhz. Now, can i add those 2 sticks and have them perform on dual channel mode along my 2x2gb? for a total of 12Gb?

No, you probably can't. If you want to have dual channel, either get two 2GB sticks like the ones you already have or get 2x4GB and use only those. Either way, you'll end up with 8 GB of dual channel RAM, which is easily enough for every single game out there.

Sounds good, ill check and see how much a 2x2Gb costs vs. one more 4Gb ram and ill figure it out. But general consensus is that you should not mix any voltages/speeds etc... Thank you very much for your help