[SOLVED] Timing Bottleneck? (2x4GB CL9 + 2x4GB CL11)

[blue_rays]

Hi there,
I've got an Asus P8Z77-V mobo and I use 2x4GB Corsair Vengeance CL9 1600MHz as a dual-channel memory on it.
My current mainboard profile uses them at 1333MHz freq. I'm not gonna OC or change this profile for a while (Maybe later)

I'm going to add another 2x4GB memory but I'm wondering if I put 2x4GB CL11, does it affect CL9 timing of my already installed memories? What If I get CL9-1333MHz memories, is it going to make a timing bottleneck if I set the XMP (1600MHz) profile? Is it going to be ok at 1333MHz?

BTW, I don't have access to the same memories I'm already using and I have to go for a different model.
Which one of these models would match better with my current memories, as second dual-channel, and is it possible to have 2 pairs of different memories and install them as 2 dual channels, working side by side?

Kingston KVR 4GB DDR3 1333MHz CL9 Single Channel RAM KVR13N9S8/4
Kingston KVR 4GB DDR3 1600MHz CL11 Single Channel RAM KVR16N11S8/4
Samsung 4GB 12800 DDR3 1600MHz CL11 M378B5173QHO-CKO
Apacer 4GB UNB PC3-12800 DDR3 1600MHz CL11
Hynix 4GB DDR3 10600 1333MHz CL9 HMT351U6CFR8C
Kingmax 4GB DDR3 1600MHz CL11 FL GF65F-C8KJB CEEU
Team Group Elite 4GB DDR3 1600MHz CL11
Kingston 4GB DDR3 12800 1600MHz CL11 K531R8-HYA S0BR5V
Kingston HyperX Fury 4GB DDR3 1600MHz CL10 Single Channel RAM HX316C10F/4
Kingston HyperX Fury 4GB DDR3 1866MHz CL10 Single Channel RAM HX318C10FB/4
OWC Server RAM 4GB DDR3 PC10600 ECC Registered CL7 M393 B5170FH0-CH9

 

[4745454b]

First, understand that mixing ram might not work. It "should", but the only way to know 100% for sure is to buy a kit. That's why they are sold.

Second, if you decide to attempt mixing ram, what "should" work is to take the worst number for everything. For example;

DDR3 1333MHz 9-9-9-20
DDR3 1600MHz 11-11-11-25

What "should" work is settings of 1333MHz 11-11-11-25. Always pick the worst possible numbers to start with. You can try tightening timings and getting faster frequencies later. Also understand that odd things can happening with all banks/sticks filled. You might need more voltage, and your ram controller might have to throttle many settings back. For example, in a modern system you might be running fine with a DDR4 3200 or 3600 set of sticks, but if you try adding another you might need to drop down to the max support ram of your CPU.

To be completely honest I wouldn't buy any of them. Buying dead end hardware doesn't really make sense. DDR3 is superseeded by DDR4. DDR5 is rumored to be coming sometime late this year or next year. (Both AMD and Intel have new platforms coming, so DDR5 support is likely to happen when that occurs.) At that point you are looking at being two generations behind. It's just a waste of money. You didn't mention your CPU, but Z77 board is ~5 generations back right now. If it works for you that's great. But it's honestly time to move on if its lacking.

 

[blue_rays]

Ok, here is my spec:

• Mobo: Asus P8Z77-V
• CPU: Intel Core-i7 3770K (Not overclocked)
• CPU Cooler: Thermalright TRUE Spirit 120M BW Rev.A
• RAM: 2x4GB of Corsair Vengeance 1600 (SPD speed: 1333MHz, supports XMP ,Timing: 9-9-9-24)
• GPU: GIGABYTE GTX950 WindForce OC-2G
• PSU: 700W

Thanks for your advice, I know that spending on a 3rd generation memory is not rational anymore, but If I decide to switch to DDR4 or wait for DDR5 and go for that, I need to change my mainboard and CPU too (As they only support DDR3). Also, I'm satisfied with my PC right now and I didn't think about Overclocking not just yet. The reason for upgrading memory is surfing the net more smoothly on new-resource hungry web browsers (Also for gaming and CG reasons). Although 8GB of ram is not a big limitation for me right now, I prefer not pushing the edges and experiencing lags.

As I can see on Asus HelpDesk, P8Z77-V can support up to 2666 freq memories. Here are my 2 questions now:

A. You think that I need to get a ram with a lower frequency and higher timing (1333MHz 11-11-11-25) to have better luck on mixing memories, right? Is that a rule of thumb or it's related to my current (2x4GB of Corsair Vengeance 1600 (SPD speed: 1333MHz, supports XMP ,Timing: 9-9-9-24)) ram?

B. As you know, I 've got a dual-channel CL9 right now. Does installing another pair of memories (which are different from the first pair) make it 2xDual-channels which each pair working independently? or they affect each other and my total timing will be reduced to 11? I mean, having 2 different dual-channel kits will reduce the total speed as to the slower kit?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[4745454b]

As I can see on Asus HelpDesk, P8Z77-V can support up to 2666 freq memories.

I assume you meant 1866? DDR3 didn't come in 2666MHz according to my memory.

I know that spending on a 3rd generation memory is not rational anymore, but If I decide to switch to DDR4 or wait for DDR5 and go for that, I need to change my mainboard and CPU too (As they only support DDR3). Also, I'm satisfied with my PC right now and I didn't think about Overclocking not just yet. The reason for upgrading memory is surfing the net more smoothly on new-resource hungry web browsers

I get that. I had a 3770K in my old system. It's a good CPU and overall system. I guess it really depends on what you can get the ram for. But it's hard to suggest people spend $$$ on something that will never work in a newer system. Any money you spend on that DDR3 is done. Gone. My 3770K had 16GBs of DDR-1600MHz. I ran it on my even older i5-750. Get the ram if you can get it cheap. Otherwise I'd honestly pass on it while you work on upgrading the system.

You think that I need to get a ram with a lower frequency and higher timing (1333MHz 11-11-11-25) to have better luck on mixing memories, right?

Again, price is going to matter here. The best/perfect ram doesn't make sense if it's 4x as much as other cheaper ram. You said you have DDR-1600 CL9. "Best" is something that matches that as close as you can. Or even dumping that and just running a single 2x8GB kit. From the list you gave I'd probably pick one of the Kingston ram DDR3-1600 CL11. You might need to boot with the current ram and go into the bios and set the timings for 11-11-11-xx. And 1600. Shut down and add the new ram. It "should" work but it might not. I didn't see voltages listed anywhere. 1.8V? 1.85?

As you know, I 've got a dual-channel CL9 right now. Does installing another pair of memories (which are different from the first pair) make it 2xDual-channels which each pair working independently? or they affect each other and my total timing will be reduced to 11?

The memory controller has to apply the same settings for all the ram. So you'll be moving to CL11 worst case. A lot of ram can OC to it's possible to run it at CL9. More so if you drop it from 1600 to 1333. You'll have to see. What you get is not quad channel ram, but two sets of dual channel.

 

[blue_rays]

Thanks for your answer and I'm sorry for my late replay.

I didn't see voltages listed anywhere. 1.8V? 1.85?

My current ram and all the mentioned rams are 1.5V

So there is not a certain way to know if the current ram could be matched with new rams and the only way is to test them! I can't get a better ram than what I got and almost all available ddr3 options are what I've listed.
So I may get a 2x4GB 1600-CL11 or replace current corsair vengeance rams with a 2x8GB kit if I can catch a good option. By the way, my current rams were not a kit too because I could not find a good CL9 option other than this, so I installed 2 similar rams as a dual channel.
Thanks again