Trying to upgrade memory problems

[Matt21081]

Ok so I'm running:
Intel i5 6500
Msi m3 gaming mobo
Corsair vengeance lpx 8gb (2x4) which I bought 16 gbs (2x8) of ram to upgrade. So I put the new ram in the already used slots because I was contemplating selling the old ram but I just added in the old 8gbs for fun and I had it running with 24 gbs of ram so I thought that I should over clock it nothing big I just added the offered xmp and whenever I try to restart the computer and boot with the xmp on with the 24gbs of ram it says a problem has occurred and it makes boot into safe mode or shut off the computer. So If I take the xmp off it runs fine but if I have it enabled to the full 3000 mhz it doesn't run. Then are both corsair lpx 3000 but is it because of one being 16 and one 8 or the difference in memory or just something weird?

 

[mcnumpty23]

you are lucky it even ran all of it

mixing ram is a lottery might work might not

 

[10tacle]

RAM is sold in kits (2x or 4x) for a reason: they are manufactured on the same production cycle and tested at the factory to work together. Even the same exact model memory modules if purchased separately may not work. There are a variety of reasons, but the two big ones are that the memory maker may have used different memory chip brands between different production cycles, and the silicon between different cycles may have microscopic variances that can cause problems.

 

[PC Tailor]

as above...

To be honest it's almost complete pot luck with different memory modules. You're ALWAYS safer getting multiples of the same RAM module (ideally even in the same pack). RAM vendors often don't cover 2 different modules even of the exact same module, that's why they sell SETS of RAM.

Adding in different types of RAM sticks is a 50/50 bet, sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. The closer the voltages, speeds, sizes are, the more likely they are to get on, but there's really no guarantee. So mixing RAM is never a recommended practice, but it CAN work. As long as you set it up to so that none of your modules end up down-clocking one another.

So you're always best just getting a matching pair, as it can be an expensive chore to buy and install mixed RAM, to find that they don't work together. Which in your situation, seems to be the case.

 

[JamesSneed]

Running 4 sticks of memory almost always requires looser timings or more voltage. The XMP is setting the profile like you are running 2 sticks. I assume with the 16GB only you can set the XMP and it works? Personally I would go with the 16GB with the XMP profile enabled and sell the 8GB off like you had thought. You can try to get it to work by bumping voltage a hair like say 1.35 to 1.38 but mixing memory even the same brand can have you in for some fun if you want to run it at those XMP profile speeds.

 

[geofelt]

As a rule, more ram trumps faster ram.

When you use 4 sticks, you will often need to increase the ram voltage in the motherboard bios a bit.

If that does not work, use the ram at stock speeds and be happy with 24gb.

 

[JamesSneed]

As a rule, more ram trumps faster ram.

When you use 4 sticks, you will often need to increase the ram voltage in the motherboard bios a bit.

If that does not work, use the ram at stock speeds and be happy with 24gb.

Not really more doesn't equal = better. Its obviously a gaming PC if the OP isn't using up 16GB which he shouldn't be for gaming then the 16GB RAM at 3000Mhz vs the 24GB at 2400Mhz, the 24GB will be slower. If the OP is making use of more than 16Gb then your point is valid if not its not.

 

[Matt21081]

Ok thanks guys