aquielisunari :
you realize like even boards from the 90s can handle duel channel right?
Of course. If the board is set for single channel which many were in the '90s. then there isn't that possibility.
Isn't it dual channel? A duel is a fight isn't it?
The answer is very simple. Order the same model and it is compatible.
That is incorrect. I have encountered those who did as you say and their PC will not boot. After buying a kit, it works.
Even if he orders a kit and installs it it the wrong channels, you wont get duel memory configs or if the BIOS isn't setup to for it.
Yep. And the board's manufacturer recommends dual channel and as long as the user follows directions all I can do is answer the OP's question to the best of my ability and experience which clearly points to a new kit.
Cheapest way is to order another 1x stick of the same model and plug it in. It will work.
Is an assumption that has been proven wrong time and time again. Cheapest is not synonymous with right. It probably will work. There is a chance it won't. As you said yourself
androbourne said:
Or... you could pull out your existing stick and order the exact same type of 1x8gb.... it should work just fine in duel channel as long as its the same model.
You understand the possibility that the new module won't work. Hence your use of the word should. Even though that possibility is a small one it exists and the fail safe solution is a new kit.
Semantics aside I recommend the new dual channel kit.
Good for you, recommend all you want. I simply suggested based on his QUESTION which was "can I add another stick or do I need to buy a kit" to increase memory sizes. The simple answer is. Yes, you can buy a single stick.
It is also the correct answer for his needs in that question.
Again, I'm a system engineer and do this on workstations and servers all day long. If someone came to a client and said "oh sorry because some people dont agree on the internets, you have to spend 200$ to buy a memory kit to replace that one ram stick that went dead" they would laugh in your face.
It is very simple and you want to make it larger then it is. Want 16GB of memory? Can your motherboard support that size? Order another stick of the same model. It will work.
You want to recommend the more expensive option? Great, I'm not saying its wrong. I'm simply providing him with another very valid option based on price difference.
Obtaining the correct stick and it will work. Unless of course there is a software/hardware issue, timing change needed or voltage adjustments blah blah blah, which I have mentioned before. Sure, it can happen depending on the board. However, if you order the correct stick, it will work. Adustments maybe required to get it to function. (which can also be required of a kit, fine tuning memory clocks to get the speeds you want, happens all the time.)
Common sense is that if there is already a running stick of that exact model in his system. Then replace or adding another one of that same model will work.