Right now I have 8GB DDR3 1600mhz CL11 RAM, it's product code is CT102464BA160B, can I buy 8GB DDR3 1600mhz CL11 RAM with a prodcut code of CT102464BD160B, the only difference is one letter, but the specs seem to be the same? Can they work, so i can have 16GB of RAM? (if you can't spot after the numbers one has BA the other BD)
This question has essentially been answered by
@rhysiam but I do want to point to Intel's article on mixing RAM/multi-channel/Flex:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005657/boards-and-kits.html
The most pertinent part in that article is this:
"
Rules to enable dual-channel mode
To achieve dual-channel mode, the following conditions must be met:
- Same memory size. Examples: 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB.
- Matched DIMM configuration in each channel.
- Matched in symmetrical memory slots.
Configurations that do not match the above conditions [can run in Flex mode or] revert to single-channel mode. The following conditions do not need to be met:
- Same brand
- Same timing specifications
- Same speed (MHz)
The slowest DIMM module populated in the system decides memory channel speed."
I've edited the article's quote, in [ ], since it's actually wrong about it reverting to single channel. In almost all cases the memory controller will attempt to run in Flex mode if the sticks are not matched and/or not the same size. Obviously, the rest about speed etc is accurate.
I have anecdotal examples but I know from many dozens of computers I've personally worked on that mix-n-match works most of the time unless the motherboard refuses to work with the stick itself. My signature PC, called "Gramps", has three different models of ram, three different densities (dual vs single rank), two different sizes (8GB & 2GB), two different speeds (1333 and 1600), and from 4 different kits but yet runs full triple channel.