[SOLVED] Match previous DDR4 sticks?

[seanthered]

Hi,

My 4 year old desktop PC has 16 GB of DDR4 RAM as 2x 8 GB 2400 Kingston HyperX sticks.
I want to add another 2x 8 GB sticks of DDR4 RAM.

I believe if I add faster RAM, the system will use the speed of the slower RAM anyway.

Is it important to match DDR4 sticks? - I mean, when I am trying to buy 2x more 8 GB sticks, is it important to stick with Kingston HyperX RAM or is it more important to get 2400 MHz sticks, or can I just get ANY DDR4 RAM, 2400 MHz or faster that my motherboard supports?

My motherboard says it can handle the following:
- Supports DDR4 3600(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)/ 2800(OC)/ 2600(OC)/ 2400/ 2133 MHz

Since anything faster than 2400 MHz requires overclocking the memory controller, maybe I should stick to 2400?

Thanks guys - I'm not sure if I'm over thinking all this, or if I do need to be careful what RAM I choose.

 

[Ventrobear]

I would recommend just sticking to what is supported to your motherboard to ensure compatibility isnt a problem.

 

[Flamebrander]

Hi,

My 4 year old desktop PC has 16 GB of DDR4 RAM as 2x 8 GB 2400 Kingston HyperX sticks.
I want to add another 2x 8 GB sticks of DDR4 RAM.

I believe if I add faster RAM, the system will use the speed of the slower RAM anyway.

Is it important to match DDR4 sticks? - I mean, when I am trying to buy 2x more 8 GB sticks, is it important to stick with Kingston HyperX RAM or is it more important to get 2400 MHz sticks, or can I just get ANY DDR4 RAM, 2400 MHz or faster that my motherboard supports?

My motherboard says it can handle the following:
- Supports DDR4 3600(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)/ 2800(OC)/ 2600(OC)/ 2400/ 2133 MHz

Since anything faster than 2400 MHz requires overclocking the memory controller, maybe I should stick to 2400?

Thanks guys - I'm not sure if I'm over thinking all this, or if I do need to be careful what RAM I choose.

Generally, different frequency ram has lesser of an impact because as you said, it just runs at the slowest speed. The thing you want to look out for is memory timings. They should be named "CAS Latency", and make sure that those are identical. Other than that, you'll be fine. Even if you did have completely different RAM sticks, your computer would run it fine, maybe at the price of a little slower performance.

 

[seanthered]

Thanks Flamebrander - I'll try to find out what the CAS Latency of my current RAM is.