Should I combine my new RAM with my old RAM?

[olivern820]

Hi all, just purchased some Corsair CML8GX3M2A1600C9 Vengeance Low Profile 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 RAM. My old RAM is 2x2GB of Hynix thats quite old and heavily been used. Should I add my new 8GB to my old 4GB or will the two old RAM sticks slow down the new ones? My motherboard handles 4 sticks of RAM dual channel and up to 32GB.

 

[Jwpanz]

There’s nothing stopping you from trying but the likely outcome is that your PC will refuse to either A: Accept some of the sticks or B: Refuse to boot. If it does boot then you may experience stability issues.

Mixing RAM like that from different manufacturers with different sizes and speeds often leads to problems like I described above. It’s best to use RAM from the same kit or to buy the exact same sticks again for it to work properly.

 

[aquielisunari]

Hi all, just purchased some Corsair CML8GX3M2A1600C9 Vengeance Low Profile 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 RAM. My old RAM is 2x2GB of Hynix thats quite old and heavily been used. Should I add my new 8GB to my old 4GB or will the two old RAM sticks slow down the new ones? My motherboard handles 4 sticks of RAM dual channel and up to 32GB.

I've not a clue. Are the specs identical? That means you can add it but it may not work. I and others here have fielded plenty of question on why my brand new RAM isn't working with my old RAM. Even with all specs. being equal including the brand name compatibility can only be assured if they are purchase in a kit. 95% of the time it's all good. The other 5% end up back at the store or at a tech. forum.

 

[DRagor]

Since you have them, try it, then check what speed you got - assuming it will even boot, which is not granted. Mixing RAMs can give unpredictable results, so most likely you will be better sticking just to new one and selling old, but try it before, maybe it will surprise you in positive way.

 

[dudmont]

You could trying looking at the timings, and picking the loosest set, and then loosening them a touch more. But as the others have previously said, it's a crapshoot at best.

 

[shrapnel_indie]

There will always exist the possibility the RAM won't play nice. (You want a 100% guarantee? Stick with a single kit.)

With that out of the way. it is quite possible that they will work fine together... More than likely at the slower speed, and with the longer timings. So if you got DDR3-1333 and DDR3-2400, well... You're more than likely stuck at 1333. MAYBE just maybe... if the 1333 example overclocks higher, you night get away with that speed... ZERO guarantee.

I've done it successfully: (Mushkin Blackline 8GB 1.5v kit) DDR3-2133 and (G.Skill ECO 4GB 1.35v kit) DDR3-1600 running at 1600, and the slower of the given timings between the two.

A few Cases do exist where one isn't as lucky though.