Using 2GB + 4GB Ram Together on Laptop

[bruce20]

I've 2 X 2GB 1333MHz Rams on my HP G6 Pavilion laptop. But now I want to increase my Ram. My laptop supports upto 8GB. I want to replace 1 module X 2GB 1333MHz Ram with 1 X 4GB 1333Mhz Ram, to make it Total 6GB.

My Question: Is it OK to use a 2GB + 4 GB Ram together? Is this scenario compatible? Will the work just fine without a problem? Or I must replace both existing rams & get a 2 X 4GB 1333Mhz Rams to make them work properly?

Thanks.

 

[bruce20]

Other system specs are Core i3, 2.5Ghz, Windows 7 64 bit.

 

[jimzubemo]

I've 2 X 2GB 1333MHz Rams on my HP G6 Pavilion laptop. But now I want to increase my Ram. My laptop supports upto 8GB. I want to replace 1 module X 2GB 1333MHz Ram with 1 X 4GB 1333Mhz Ram, to make it Total 6GB.

My Question: Is it OK to use a 2GB + 4 GB Ram together? Is this scenario compatible? Will the work just fine without a problem? Or I must replace both existing rams & get a 2 X 4GB 1333Mhz Rams to make them work properly?

Thanks.

I think it should be all right.
Even my HP dv6 laptop running 64-bit Windows 7 has 1GB &2Gb RAM pre-installed, both DDR3 PC3-10600 type.

I am also planning to upgrade by replacing the 1Gb with 4GB


www.day2dayexps.blogspot.com

 

[Legohouse]

I've 2 X 2GB 1333MHz Rams on my HP G6 Pavilion laptop. But now I want to increase my Ram. My laptop supports upto 8GB. I want to replace 1 module X 2GB 1333MHz Ram with 1 X 4GB 1333Mhz Ram, to make it Total 6GB.

My Question: Is it OK to use a 2GB + 4 GB Ram together? Is this scenario compatible? Will the work just fine without a problem? Or I must replace both existing rams & get a 2 X 4GB 1333Mhz Rams to make them work properly?

Thanks.

Yes, I agree with jimzubemo. The memory will work fine though you are mixing different memory sizes. Yes, it is compatible. If budget is not an issue then I don't see any issue in upgrading to 8GB rather than 6GB, just a suggestion.

 

[bruce20]

Yes, I agree with jimzubemo. The memory will work fine though you are mixing different memory sizes. Yes, it is compatible. If budget is not an issue then I don't see any issue in upgrading to 8GB rather than 6GB, just a suggestion.

Yes, I understand, thanks for the suggestion, but for me, 4GB was alright until recently when I started using Photoshop, sometimes things get a little slower, so I think 6GB should be more than enough at least for a year or 2.

Thanks

 

[bruce20]

If budget is not an issue then I don't see any issue in upgrading to 8GB rather than 6GB, just a suggestion.

But I'm still confuse. in some posts here, I read 2GB + 4GB is not dual channel, so it will affect performance. Can anybody address this concern ?

I may consider getting 2 X 4GB, but I still need to know should I get 1333 or 1600?
As I mentioned, I'll be using Photoshop on my laptop and I don't play any kind of games on it. And I don't overclock anything at all.

Please assist. Thanks.

 

[Legohouse]

If budget is not an issue then I don't see any issue in upgrading to 8GB rather than 6GB, just a suggestion.

But I'm still confuse. in some posts here, I read 2GB + 4GB is not dual channel, so it will affect performance. Can anybody address this concern ?

I may consider getting 2 X 4GB, but I still need to know should I get 1333 or 1600?
As I mentioned, I'll be using Photoshop on my laptop and I don't play any kind of games on it. And I don't overclock anything at all.

Please assist. Thanks.

Speed, go with 1600Mhz if your laptop supports that and if you are opting for 2x4GB. Else if you are going with 1x4GB then go with 1333MHz that's the first priority. However, you can try a single 1600MHz 4GB module along with the existing 2GB, in this case the 1600MHz will run at the slower speed (1333MHz) instead of its theoretical bandwidth and still it will run in Dual channel mode but it can be a little complex with your laptop.

As far as mixing size is concerned, the memory will work in what is called a "Flex Mode" - 2GB out of the 4GB and the present 2GB module which will run in Dual channel mode, while the remainder of the 4GB module (which is the other half of 4GB) will run in single channel mode.

In anyway, the performance gained by using dual channel is only 10-15% over single channel but this might come in handy if you are trying to push the performance to its peak.

My suggestion is go with 2x4GB, the price of the modules are not that high and you will notice the difference in performance. Btw, make sure you have 64Bit Operating system (windows), 32Bit OS doesn't recognize above 4GB (well not above 3.5GB actually).

P-S: If you can lemme know your HP product number. Check under the laptop or inside the battery compartmenr.

 

[bruce20]

Speed, go with 1600Mhz if your laptop supports that and if you are opting for 2x4GB. Else if you are going with 1x4GB then go with 1333MHz that's the first priority. However, you can try a single 1600MHz 4GB module along with the existing 2GB, in this case the 1600MHz will run at the slower speed (1333MHz) instead of its theoretical bandwidth and still it will run in Dual channel mode but it can be a little complex with your laptop.

As far as mixing size is concerned, the memory will work in what is called a "Flex Mode" - 2GB out of the 4GB and the present 2GB module which will run in Dual channel mode, while the remainder of the 4GB module (which is the other half of 4GB) will run in single channel mode.

In anyway, the performance gained by using dual channel is only 10-15% over single channel but this might come in handy if you are trying to push the performance to its peak.

My suggestion is go with 2x4GB, the price of the modules are not that high and you will notice the difference in performance. Btw, make sure you have 64Bit Operating system (windows), 32Bit OS doesn't recognize above 4GB (well not above 3.5GB actually).

P-S: If you can lemme know your HP product number. Check under the laptop or inside the battery compartmenr.

OK Cool, really appreciate your detailed answer. Thanks.

I'll check my exact laptop model soon & post here. By the way, I read somewhere that 1666MHz ram is CL10 or CL11, which is slower than 1333MHz ram, which is actually CL9. They mentioned CL is the processing time of the ram, the lower, the better. What you think about this?

Thanks.

 

[Legohouse]

Speed, go with 1600Mhz if your laptop supports that and if you are opting for 2x4GB. Else if you are going with 1x4GB then go with 1333MHz that's the first priority. However, you can try a single 1600MHz 4GB module along with the existing 2GB, in this case the 1600MHz will run at the slower speed (1333MHz) instead of its theoretical bandwidth and still it will run in Dual channel mode but it can be a little complex with your laptop.

As far as mixing size is concerned, the memory will work in what is called a "Flex Mode" - 2GB out of the 4GB and the present 2GB module which will run in Dual channel mode, while the remainder of the 4GB module (which is the other half of 4GB) will run in single channel mode.

In anyway, the performance gained by using dual channel is only 10-15% over single channel but this might come in handy if you are trying to push the performance to its peak.

My suggestion is go with 2x4GB, the price of the modules are not that high and you will notice the difference in performance. Btw, make sure you have 64Bit Operating system (windows), 32Bit OS doesn't recognize above 4GB (well not above 3.5GB actually).

P-S: If you can lemme know your HP product number. Check under the laptop or inside the battery compartmenr.

OK Cool, really appreciate your detailed answer. Thanks.

I'll check my exact laptop model soon & post here. By the way, I read somewhere that 1666MHz ram is CL10 or CL11, which is slower than 1333MHz ram, which is actually CL9. They mentioned CL is the processing time of the ram, the lower, the better. What you think about this?

Thanks.

To put it on simple maths:

The frequency is expressed in Hertz, which means "cycles per second".

So, the DDR3 1600 will perform 1600 cycles a second while the DDR3 1333 will do, well, 1333.

The CAS latency is given in cycles. So, a CAS9 RAM will take 9 cycles to respond and the CAS10, 10 cycles.

Now putting it together: the DDR3 1600 CAS10 will take 10/2000 seconds, which is equal to 0.00625 seconds, to respond while the DDR3 1333 CAS 9 will take 9/1333, which is equal to 0.00675 seconds, to respond. Thus, the 1600 one is faster.

FYI, DDR3 1600 has CAS 9 and CAS 8 memory too but CAS 9 is much more reliable.

 

[arulkn]

Speed, go with 1600Mhz if your laptop supports that and if you are opting for 2x4GB. Else if you are going with 1x4GB then go with 1333MHz that's the first priority. However, you can try a single 1600MHz 4GB module along with the existing 2GB, in this case the 1600MHz will run at the slower speed (1333MHz) instead of its theoretical bandwidth and still it will run in Dual channel mode but it can be a little complex with your laptop.

As far as mixing size is concerned, the memory will work in what is called a "Flex Mode" - 2GB out of the 4GB and the present 2GB module which will run in Dual channel mode, while the remainder of the 4GB module (which is the other half of 4GB) will run in single channel mode.

In anyway, the performance gained by using dual channel is only 10-15% over single channel but this might come in handy if you are trying to push the performance to its peak.

My suggestion is go with 2x4GB, the price of the modules are not that high and you will notice the difference in performance. Btw, make sure you have 64Bit Operating system (windows), 32Bit OS doesn't recognize above 4GB (well not above 3.5GB actually).

P-S: If you can lemme know your HP product number. Check under the laptop or inside the battery compartmenr.

OK Cool, really appreciate your detailed answer. Thanks.

I'll check my exact laptop model soon & post here. By the way, I read somewhere that 1666MHz ram is CL10 or CL11, which is slower than 1333MHz ram, which is actually CL9. They mentioned CL is the processing time of the ram, the lower, the better. What you think about this?

Thanks.

To put it on simple maths:

The frequency is expressed in Hertz, which means "cycles per second".

So, the DDR3 1600 will perform 1600 cycles a second while the DDR3 1333 will do, well, 1333.

The CAS latency is given in cycles. So, a CAS9 RAM will take 9 cycles to respond and the CAS10, 10 cycles.

Now putting it together: the DDR3 1600 CAS10 will take 10/2000 seconds, which is equal to 0.00625 seconds, to respond while the DDR3 1333 CAS 9 will take 9/1333, which is equal to 0.00675 seconds, to respond. Thus, the 1600 one is faster.

FYI, DDR3 1600 has CAS 9 and CAS 8 memory too but CAS 9 is much more reliable.

can u help me buying a RAM. My current RAM is ELPIDA 2GB 2Rx8 PC3-8500S-7-10-F1. I would like to add a 4gb ram. i.e.,2+4. kindly guide me what things i need to check before buying a ram. thanks

 

[Neiko Jen]

I've 2 X 2GB 1333MHz Rams on my HP G6 Pavilion laptop. But now I want to increase my Ram. My laptop supports upto 8GB. I want to replace 1 module X 2GB 1333MHz Ram with 1 X 4GB 1333Mhz Ram, to make it Total 6GB.

My Question: Is it OK to use a 2GB + 4 GB Ram together? Is this scenario compatible? Will the work just fine without a problem? Or I must replace both existing rams & get a 2 X 4GB 1333Mhz Rams to make them work properly?

Thanks.

I think it should be all right.
Even my HP dv6 laptop running 64-bit Windows 7 has 1GB &2Gb RAM pre-installed, both DDR3 PC3-10600 type.

I am also planning to upgrade by replacing the 1Gb with 4GB


www.day2dayexps.blogspot.com

 

[Neiko Jen]

I've 2 X 2GB 1333MHz Rams on my HP G6 Pavilion laptop. But now I want to increase my Ram. My laptop supports upto 8GB. I want to replace 1 module X 2GB 1333MHz Ram with 1 X 4GB 1333Mhz Ram, to make it Total 6GB.

My Question: Is it OK to use a 2GB + 4 GB Ram together? Is this scenario compatible? Will the work just fine without a problem? Or I must replace both existing rams & get a 2 X 4GB 1333Mhz Rams to make them work properly?

Thanks.

I think it should be all right.
Even my HP dv6 laptop running 64-bit Windows 7 has 1GB &2Gb RAM pre-installed, both DDR3 PC3-10600 type.

I am also planning to upgrade by replacing the 1Gb with 4GB


www.day2dayexps.blogspot.com

 

[Legohouse]

can u help me buying a RAM. My current RAM is ELPIDA 2GB 2Rx8 PC3-8500S-7-10-F1. I would like to add a 4gb ram. i.e.,2+4. kindly guide me what things i need to check before buying a ram. thanks

Yes, I can. First, please let me know your Laptop model name and number. Thanks