Increasing RAM Issue

[jimlau]

i have the following RAM:

G.SKILL TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600)

Also the Z170A M3 Gaming board listed below.

Can I buy 2x4GB additional RAM, or does it have to be 2x8?

Either way, does it have to match the speed of my current RAM?

Thanks.

 

[jay32267]

Ideally you would want all four sticks to come from the same set....but being that isn't the case it still might work....and probably will work from my experience.

As far as putting two 4s in...in addition to your two 8s....I don't see anything in your MB manual that says you can't do it.

I would try and match the speed.

If you don't match the speed....and if you aren't overclocking...the max you can run it is 2400.....so if you aren't overclocking you could buy 2400 speed and everything should run at 2400 speed...including your 3200 speed RAM.

Lets say you bought 2133 speed and added it.....everything should run at 2133 speed.

It will run at the speed of the slowest memory you have in there.....unless the slowest speed is above 2400.....then it will run at 2400.....unless you overclock.

 

[Calvin7]

You asked, "Either way, does it have to match the speed of my current RAM?".

No, either way memory manufacturers won't guarantee such combinations will work together or how they will work if you manage to boot up the system. You are free to do your own compatibility testing.

Memory is guaranteed in the form sold.

 

[jimlau]

would 2 4GB be any different than 1 8GB?

 

[drivinfast247]

Yes. 2x4 would operate in dual channel mode

 

[jimlau]

dual channel mode is a good thing I take it? 😉

 

[jay32267]

Yes.....it doubles your bandwidth I believe (if I'm wrong someone correct me).

....but for sure it's faster than single channel.