Performance of 3 sticks of ram

[Mandathor]

Hi, I have motherboard Asus B85 Plus and 3 sticks of this ram: http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Modules-1600MHz-Non-ECC-Desktop/dp/B0057Q4ADU

Will there be performance issues with having only 3 sticks?

 

[IntelTurtleFan]

It will operate in single channel and dual channel. However your current RAM may or may not work with the new stuff. The only way to find out is to try it.

 

[Mandathor]

Not sure how I try it. If I check system information and it says 12 gb of ram, is it all working well?

 

[IntelTurtleFan]

Yes. If Windows or another OS shows that it is working you are fine. If you run into instability issues then it might be a issue but normally they come up on the first boot.

 

[xdeathbyreaperx]

You can use the built in "performance monitor" that is offered in control panel. Excuse me if this isn't the correct name- I recently came back to windows- but I know it still exists. This will tell you how much of your RAM you are using for different tasks. For instance- open up a highly taxing program or simply run a performance test;
if it goes above the "limit" of 1 stick then you're clearly utilizing at least two,
if it goes above the "limit" of 2 sticks then you're clearly utilizing all three =)

Hope this helps!

 

[Mandathor]

thank you for your replies. I suppose adding another stick (so I have 4 in total) would be the best option to be certain I dont run into issues?

 

[xdeathbyreaperx]

Adding another stick would certainly be helpful/easiest IMO - especially since you can pick up RAM fairly cheap now days =)

 

[IntelTurtleFan]

The RAM if you add another stick will actually be more likely to increase issues. I would normally buy a 2x4gb RAM kit alone then sell it and upgrade to a 4x4gb RAM kit. In a kit there will be no issues but if you do not do that then it could have issues.

 

[Mandathor]

It would be the same model of ram. Only its a 1x4 stick and not a 2x4 kit. But good suggestion just selling the kit i own and buy a totally new 4x4.

 

[xdeathbyreaperx]

True, you always want the sticks to be the same brand/make to decrease any possible issues - but even with different brands and kits you can get it to work (if you're willing to put in some time playing with it to save on costs).