Will it cause damage to use memory that is larger than the mother board supports? (for a specific slot)

[maskedMouse]

I built my own PC about 6 years ago, making a few upgrades here and there. I would like to upgrade the memory now with the knowledge that I might get a new motherboard in the near future.

Question
Would using 2x8gb sticks of memory in a motherboard that only supports up to 4gb per stick hurt the memory or the motherboard?


Explanation/Details

Currently I'm running 6gb, in 3 2gb sticks. I'd like to upgrade my memory but having an older motherboard gives me some limitations. My goal is around 12 or 16gb.

The MB supports up to 4gb in each slot totaling 24gb if you fill it completely. Now if I'm getting new memory I'd rather not get 4gb sticks, as when I end up upgrading the MB I'd probably rather have 2 8gb sticks rather than 4 4gb sticks.

I've done some research, and I've seen many people confirm that when they install 8gb sticks on this mother board, the board only recognizes 4gb of each stick. I would be fine dealing with only having 8gb total now if it meant spreading out some of the cost over time and looking to buy a new mb/processor in the near future. I'd like to see if I could use it with my current memory set up as well, possibly using 2 of the 2gb sticks and the 2 8gb, with my system utilizing a total of 12gb, but that wouldn't be necessary, 8gb is still more than I have today.

My hunch is just that it will probably be best to wait it out, save the money and buy them together but I'd like to upgrade my current system with an eye to the future.


System Information
ASUS P6T - https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P6T/specifications/
Windows 7 64 bit
6 gb RAM (3 x 2gb)
core i7 920 Bloomfield

 

[RealBeast]

I would not buy new memory. Several reasons. First your motherboard *may* not even recognize the 8GB sticks. Also, your next upgrade may not even use DDR3 -- DDR4 is coming with the new Intel CPUs and chipsets later this summer and DDR3 will be phased out, so unless you upgrade everything else fairly soon, DDR3 8GB sticks may be of no use to you.

I would save the money and wait. 6GB is enough for your system in most uses currently anyway.

 

[Deuce65]

Why not just get three more 2GB sticks? You can get 2GB sticks for like 10 dollars each on ebay.