Mixing Ram Sizes

[ItsJakeee]

So I currently have 1 stick of 4GB DDR3 PC3-12800 ram, and 1 stick of 2GB DDR3 PC3-12800 ram, however after recently starting to upgrade my rig, I'm finding that I really need more to handle the more intensive titles, even on Med-High settings.

So I've been looking around, and decided that I wanted to add an extra 8GB of the exact same type and spec.

Specifically this: https://www.mrmemory.co.uk/memory-ram-upgrades/pegatron/motherboard/msi-ms-7778-jasmine#!ddr3-pc3-12800-1600mhz-240-pin-dimm

(as it matches my motherboard).

I was wondering, if I put these three different sized sticks in dual channel, would there be any issues. I know that I could be refunded if there is an issue, but I wanted to save myself the time and hassle.

Thanks!

Edit: (sorry!) If it is compatible, what arrangement should I put the sticks in? The 4GB and 8GB in dual and the 2GB in the second channel, or a different arrangement? Thanks!

 

[Lutfij]

You should always look at ram upgrades as you would when you go to the store to buy a pair of shoes after one(out of a pair) of your shoes got lost. Even if you could find the exact same pair the salesman will sell you a pair and not just one out of that pair. Likewise, it's best to perform a ram upgrade as a kit meaning that if you want to go form 4GB to 8GB, best either go with a single stick of 8GB or buy 2 identical sticks of 4GB of ram. The latter can be accomplished by buying a ram kit.

A ram kit is superior when compared to single stick of ram since they will naturally be binned with better IC's and their timings will also be matched(as will their frequencies). It's actually bad practice to mix and match different sticks of ram regardless of brand and color even if their frequency's and capacity match up.

On another note, you forgot to pass on your current system's specs and ofc the make and model of your motherboard. Please include them. Lastly, you'd be best served in buying a ram kit. Why not just go for a 4x4Gb kit(if your motherboard has 4 ram slots) and not end up half way between three slots populated out of 4. Besides you'd want to populate 2 slots per channel to avail dual channel memory mode.

FYI, you're going to save yourself even more time and resources sans the troubleshooting by going for that kit. As of this moment, you're only inviting trouble and BSOD's or a form of it thereof.

* Please list your full system's specs like so:
CPU and CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:

 

[ItsJakeee]

Thanks for the great info, but it seems that you have neither answered my question, nor really read my question.

I have a budget, which is why I decided upon buying a single 8GB ram stick and mixing with my current ram which is EXACTLY THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I decided 8GB and not 4GB because I wanted to ensure I had plenty now, and for the future.

Also, with regards to my PC specifications, this questions is purely RAM related, but if you had opened the link you would have found my motherboard, and RAM, however I shall name it below just in case you missed it.

Motherboard: MSI MS-7778 (Jasmine)

Aside from my OS (which is Windows 10) I doubt any of my other specs are really needed or required to answer my question, which was:


Would there be a problem if I matched the EXACT SAME ram, if the two sticks are different sizes (4GB and 8GB) ??

Thanks.