Exact same model, from exact same seller?

[Jeffsta]

I want to add some more memory. I bought this memory a few months back for my new build. If I purchase another set, will it be exactly the same? Will it work? I bought my current memory from that exact page/seller.

 

[TechyInAZ]

Read this FAQ: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-faq,4154.html

 

[helpstar]

Which motherboard?

 

[Jeffsta]

Which motherboard?

Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-GAMING LGA1150 mATX

 

[helpstar]

Should work without problems

 

[Tradesman1]

Read this FAQ: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-faq,4154.html

__________________________

It's a crapshoot, better covered in Part 2 of my article, in Item 2:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-myths,4155.html

 

[helpstar]

to be precise, they could be from the same lot, but if not, they should run with your previous bought dimms as well and without problems.
Better than buying a completely other brand and model of dimms.

 

[Tradesman1]

to be precise, they could be from the same lot, but if not, they should run with your previous bought dimms as well and without problems.
Better than buying a completely other brand and model of dimms.

___________________

Look through the forums, there are tons of threads where people have tried mixing DRAM - even identical models - with problems after problems

 

[helpstar]

just meant, that the chances are higher that a kit of the same brand and model is compatible.

The only way to be absolutely sure the kit is identical, is to buy a new kit of 2x8GB and sell the old ones.

In my opinion most compatibility issues are connected to outdated BIOS versions of the motherboard.

 

[Tradesman1]

As I mentioned in my article and about daily here in the forums, you can pull sticks right off the assembly line that will not play nice, that is why the manufacturers test the DRAM together to ensure the sticks that go into a package will play nice. It's also why larger sets (stick wise) often costs more (say a 4 stick set is a little more than 2 sets of two sticks, it takes more testing to gather 4 sticks that will play than it does only 2

 

[helpstar]

so you think two different brands or two dfferent models will play along as good as the sticks from the same brand and model?

 

[Tradesman1]

I'm saying that mixing DRAM from different packages - even of the same exact model, can be and often is problematic - there is no guarantee that mixed DRAM will play. Not sure how to make it any clearer. I spend time every day trying to help people that have taken this ill advice to just add more DRAM

 

[helpstar]

That´s what I´m saying too, there is no 100% guarantee, that even the same brand and model in different packages and not in the same kit will work together.

But I think the same brand and model, even not in a kit will get an user a better chance than mixed brands and models, where the specification could be different. It´s just easier for someone to buy the same brand and model, than buy another kit from another brand and model, in which case he or she would have to compare lot more things, like timings, voltage, xmp or not,...

 

[Tradesman1]

Should work without problems

_________________________

Your earlier statement above is what prompted me 😉

 

[Jeffsta]

A few more questions then;

1. Is there any advantage to having 4x4gb sticks, as opposed to 2x8gb sticks? Is there such a thing as 4 channels?

2. If I buy the 2x8gb sticks, would the 2x4gb sticks need to be wiped clean of any data before selling them? If so, how would I do that?

Thanks!

 

[Tradesman1]

Your mobo is an 1150 so you are limited to dual channel mode (which you can run 4 sticks in dual channel) so 2x8GB is slightly preferred from a performance viewpoint as well as is less stress on the MC (memory controller)

When you shut the system down, anything in DRAM is gone, the DRAM only has data when rig is powered up, it's not like a hard drive where data is stored even when the rig is shut down 😉

 

[Jeffsta]

Your mobo is an 1150 so you are limited to dual channel mode (which you can run 4 sticks in dual channel) so 2x8GB is slightly preferred from a performance viewpoint as well as is less stress on the MC (memory controller)

When you shut the system down, anything in DRAM is gone, the DRAM only has data when rig is powered up, it's not like a hard drive where data is stored even when the rig is shut down 😉

Sounds good. Thanks for taking the time to explain everything.

 

[Jeffsta]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Tradesman1]

No worries 😉