Mixing memory brands

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302stephen

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Right now I have 6GB (2GBx3) of triple channel 1600 Corsair Dominator Memory with a cas latency of 8, 8-8-8-24 timeings, and 1.65v

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145295

I'm wanting to add 12 (4GBx3) more memory but I cant find an exact match for what I have, im pretty sure Corsair dosent make it. the closest I found on Newegg.com where these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220498

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220542

The only difference is the timing is 8-9-8-24 instead of 8-8-8-24. will ether of these run stable at the advertised speeds and if so whats the difference between the two, other than being from diffident series, the specs look identical. If those wont work, what do you recommend doing for more ram, I would prefer to still use what I have now.

Thanks

CPU-Intel i7 950
Motherboard-Asus Sabertooth X58
Graphics Card-MSI Twin Frozer II GTX 560 Ti
RAM-6 GB Corsair Dominator 1600
PSU-Corsair TX750
HDD-Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB
SSD-Intel 320 80 GB
Case-NZXT Phantom Black full ATX
 
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I have used OCZ 1333 and 1600 with different timings before and never had a problem personally, but like soso says, it's not mobo recommended either. The faster of the chips will essentially 'slow down' to match the slower chips in theory. I've never mixed manufacturers before. I'd decide if you go to 12GB, do you really need the other 6 or can you ditch it or buy 2 sets of 12? That will avoid the problem, though not the most cost effective, it would be 100% guaranteed to be compatible and not cause headaches down the road.

scottiemedic

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I have used OCZ 1333 and 1600 with different timings before and never had a problem personally, but like soso says, it's not mobo recommended either. The faster of the chips will essentially 'slow down' to match the slower chips in theory. I've never mixed manufacturers before. I'd decide if you go to 12GB, do you really need the other 6 or can you ditch it or buy 2 sets of 12? That will avoid the problem, though not the most cost effective, it would be 100% guaranteed to be compatible and not cause headaches down the road.
 
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302stephen

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thanks for your replies, I would just get 2 sets of 12GB, but I read that windows 7 home premium can only support up to 16 GB of ram, so theirs not much use in having 24 if I cant use all of it. Unless windows 8 will support more, and its worth upgrading. Ideally I would like to have a set of 12GB and a set of 6GB, so I would have the max memory without spending too much more. But it might be impossible to find a 6GB and 12GB set that are the same that costs less than 2 sets of 12GB. if I do end up having to get 2 12GB sets, which set would you recommend?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233146

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220542

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231358

I know Corsair and G.Skill are good brands, but I haven't heard as much about Patriot. The vengeance series is supposed to have very good overclocking, but they are about the same price as the Patriot and have a higher cas latency, is 9-9-9-24 any different than 8-9 -8-24?
 

scottiemedic

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The Patriots do have lower timings, but they also run 1.65V, the others are both 1.5. I would go with either the Corsair or G.Skill. They are both very reputable brands. The only other consideration is your heatsink/cooler. The Corsair are taller than the G.Skill and it might hinder your HSF if it's a big 212 or one like that.
 
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