Dual channel question.

Cngevpxhaqrefpber

Currently I've got two 2GB sticks of DDR3 RAM. I've got two free RAM slots. Let's say I get two more sticks of a different size and speed (still DDR3 of course) than my current 2GB sticks. Does this screw up dual channel in any way and/or is it at all inferior to having all four sticks being of the same brand, size, and speed?

iggy8n

With the price of ram being so low these days, I'd just buy 16 Gigs of the fastest RAM you can put in the motherboard. It's like $100.
I have used RAM that was made by different manufacturers on the same motherboard with no problem. Different speeds will work. But, it's hard to overclock if some memory will run faster and some won't. I think having the same speed keeps you from running into overclocking problems.

Cngevpxhaqrefpber

ManofGod

You might only be able to add 2 x 4GB then. That, of course, depends on if your mainboard will allow greater than 16GB of ram or not.

BenT

I think it has to be the same size, but not necessarily the same manufacturer.

Cngevpxhaqrefpber

ManofGod

Then 4GB sticks are the largest you can use.

Cngevpxhaqrefpber

I thought they made 6GB sticks, but looking on Newegg, I guess not?

genoski

add 2 more 2 gb and you'll be happy with 8gb all working in dual channel

Cngevpxhaqrefpber

Well were I to get more RAM, I think I'd probably want to get 2 more 4GB sticks (assuming dual channel worked fine in that config), as I think 8GB would be cutting it too close if I happened to want to run Win7 in a VM.

iggy8n

I'll just say again that you are discussing the difference of like $20. It costs $78-90 for 16Gb of fast RAM. If you don't think 8Gb would be enough, get 4 sticks of 4Gb.

Give your existing RAM to a friend who has an empty slot. This is like worrying about which fan to put in your case for cooling - comparing blue LED with red LED.

Cngevpxhaqrefpber