Question Finding similar RAM sticks to add to my current system ?

[itaiber2000]

hello all,
im new to this forums and i could use some advice.
i built my own pc like two or two and half years ago.

i decided to buy only two sticks of 16GB each and later upgrade with two more.
so i could have a 64GB system.
my current dual sticks are: Kingston KHX3600C17D4/16GX

Because I can't find these any more. i'm looking for a different kind of set that can
be compatible with those two as much as possible.

thank for the help in advance

 

[Zerk2012]

hello all,
im new to this forums and i could use some advice.
i built my own pc like two or two and half years ago.

i decided to buy only two sticks of 16GB each and later upgrade with two more
so i could have a 64GB system.
my current dual sticks are: Kingston KHX3600C17D4/16GX

witch i cant find any more. i'm looking for a different kind of set that can
be compatible with those two as much as possible.

thank for the help in advance

I would buy a matched set of 64GB if you need that much.

Even if you could find the so called same memory you have now it might and might not work with what you already have.

 

[geofelt]

What is the make/model of your motherboard and processor?
They may have limits.

Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
The internal workings are designed for the capacity of the kit.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards, can be very sensitive to this.
This is more difficult when more sticks are involved.

If you do buy more disparate sticks, they should be the same speed, voltage and cas numbers.
Even then your chances of working are less than 100%
I might guess 90% success for intel and less for amd.

What is your plan "B" if the new stick/s do not work?

If you want 64gb, my suggestion if you have an intel motherboard is to buy a 2 x 32gb kit that matches your current specs.
Then, try adding in your old 16gb,
If it works, good; you now have extra ram.
If not, sell the old ram or keep it as a spare.

Lastly, why do you think you need 64gb?

 

[itaiber2000]

well this is part of my specs according to CPU-Z:

Processors Information
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Socket 1 ID = 0
Number of cores 8 (max 8)
Number of threads 16 (max 16)
Manufacturer GenuineIntel
Name Intel Core i7 10700K
Codename Comet Lake
Specification Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10700K CPU @ 3.80GHz
Package (platform ID) Socket 1200 LGA (0x1)

Chipset
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northbridge Intel Comet Lake rev. 05
Southbridge Intel Z490 rev. 00
Bus Specification PCI-Express 3.0 (8.0 GT/s)
Graphic Interface PCI-Express 4.0
PCI-E Link Width x16 (max 16x)
PCI-E Link Speed 2.5 GT/s (max 16.0 GT/s)
Memory Type DDR4
Memory Size 32 GBytes
Channels Dual
Memory Frequency 1199.7 MHz (3:36)
CAS# latency (CL) 17.0
RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD) 17
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 17
Cycle Time (tRAS) 39
Row Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC) 421
Command Rate (CR) 2T
Uncore Frequency 4288.6 MHz
Host Bridge 0x9B43

i do want the 64gb for extra performance on some games and video editing.
that was always my stance. mixing brands worked for me in the past but i'm still looking for something that will not handicap the other components.

i still want to save money and no replace the two 16gb sticks that runs in dual channel mode.

 

[geofelt]

I know you have a Z490 based motherboard.
Exactly what is the make/model?
One needs to check ram support which may differ among brands and models.
The cpu-Z mainboard tab will tell you.

The individual cpu-Z spd tabs will identify the specific module part numbers.
That is what you need to try to match.
Support for 4 sticks may well be different and will probably result in needing lower specs to run.
It is just harder for a motherboard to manage 4 sticks vs. two.

If you can return the new ram easily, just adding 32gb may work.
Since the xmp embedded specs may not be the same, you may have to specify specs of cas, speed and voltage yourself.
Be prepared to up the ram voltage past spec to get all 4 sticks to work.

Plan on running a good memtest to validate.

 

[itaiber2000]

oh sorry, i missed adding the model.
its a gigabyte z490 aorus pro ax.

the part number i mention in the og post.
it is: KHX3600C17D4/16gx

as far as i know my motherboard support the quad channel.
because i dont know if i can return the memory sticks after using it once,
i need to find the best compatible sticks to use with my current setup.

i know most likely that i will need to buy something that is better specs,
and it will perform in lower config so it can be run along side my current config .

 

[geofelt]

Your motherboard supports 4 sticks of ram, but it will still operate only in dual channel mode.
Intel does not depend on fast ram for performance.
2400 or 3600 speed would be hard to differentiate.

Since you now have the extra 2 sticks in hand,
go into the bios and do not try XMP.
Explicitly set the settings and speed yourself.
But, increase the ram voltage a notch or two above the likely 1.35v spec.
I would not go past 1.4v.
Then, install the new two sticks.

Run memtest86 or memtest86+
They boot from a usb stick and do not use windows.
You can download them here:

MemTest86 - Official Site of the x86 Memory Testing Tool

MemTest86 is the original self booting memory testing software for x86 and ARM computers. Supporting both BIOS and UEFI, with options to boot from USB.

www.memtest86.com

Memtest86+ | The Open-Source Memory Testing Tool

Memtest86+ is an advanced, free, open-source, stand-alone memory tester for 32- and 64-bit computers (UEFI & BIOS supported)

www.memtest.org

If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.

Running several more passes will sometimes uncover an issue, but it takes more time.
Probably not worth it unless you really suspect a ram issue.

 

[itaiber2000]

i think you misunderstood me,

i onlyu have the two kingstone sticks installed in dual channel setup
and no other sticks in hand, i want to buy two more that are 16gb each,
like my current dual sticks of 16gb from kingstone that are installed.

im tring to match the new ones that i want to buy to the current ones i already own.

as you mention my current setup of two sticks are running at 1.35 voltage

im tring to find a model that will be in smiller specs to my KHX3600C17D4/16gx

 

[geofelt]

Whatever added ram you buy WILL NOT be matched to your current ram.
Your odds of success are in the 85% range.
If you can handle the possibility that you need to return the ram, then proceed.

My approach would be to buy a 2 x 32gb kit with similar specs up front.
You will have a guaranteed 64gb of ram in dual channel mode.

Then, try to add your 2 x 16gb kit and see if you can get it to run nicely.
If you can, you have 96gb in dual channel mode.
If it fails, keep your 32gb as a backup or sell it.

 

[itaiber2000]

thank you for you help @geofelt ,
i will need to compare prices of rams and see my best approached to this.

also thanks for the input @Zerk2012 as well.

seems i need or to take my chances or upgrade the ram completely when it will be convenient.

 

[USAFRet]

FWIW, I tried almost exactly this recently.

Had:
2x 16GB Corsair LPX DDR4

Bought:
2x 32GB Corsair LPX DDR4

Put the new 64GB set in.
System booted, no problem. Recognized the entire 96GB.
After a few minutes, the network cut out.

Remove the new set, everything works.

Each set, in either slots 1-3 or 2-4 work on their own. No problem.
All 4, in any and all combinations...same exact fail.

Currently running on the 2x 32GB, no problem.

 

[--SID--]

FWIW, I tried almost exactly this recently.

Had:
2x 16GB Corsair LPX DDR4

Bought:
2x 32GB Corsair LPX DDR4

Put the new 64GB set in.
System booted, no problem. Recognized the entire 96GB.
After a few minutes, the network cut out.

Remove the new set, everything works.

Each set, in either slots 1-3 or 2-4 work on their own. No problem.
All 4, in any and all combinations...same exact fail.

Currently running on the 2x 32GB, no problem.

Ryzen and Corsair RAM are not good friends.

 

[USAFRet]

Ryzen and Corsair RAM are not good friends.

Either sets works fine.
Just not in combination.

 

[Zerk2012]

thank you for you help @geofelt ,
i will need to compare prices of rams and see my best approached to this.

also thanks for the input @Zerk2012 as well.

seems i need or to take my chances or upgrade the ram completely when it will be convenient.

The bad thing about adding more to what you have is if it don't work then you spent money and are still right where you started.

 

[itaiber2000]

yeah that is what im worried about.
it's not that i dont get good performance from the 2X16GB setup,
it's more for future proof and cuting down on future rendering time in premire.

the reason i didnt go with thw 2x32GB in the first place was the price.
as i knew my motherboard is spussoed to work with quad channel setup.

i need to reevaluate my options.

 

[geofelt]

Your motherboard may have 4 ram slots, but it operates in dual channel mode max, not quad channel.
That assumes two sticks, one in each channel.
For batch apps that use ram as work space, lots of ram is good.

Intel motherboards are somewhat tolerant of mismatched ram.
I think because of the independent ram controller.
And, problems can sometimes be fixed by increasing the ram voltage.

OTOH, reading these forums, I see many issues with ram for ryzen.
I think it is because of how tightly ram is connected to the processor.
Best with ryzen to stick with explicitly supported kits.