Can You Mix and Match Different RAM

Can You Mix and Match Different RAM

Mixing different Memory (RAM) has always been a big no no for me. Yes sometimes you can get away with it, but its just not worth it.

Things to consider:

* RAM Size
* RAM Speed
* CAS Latency
* Voltage
* XMP
* Timings
* Brand
* Generations

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[Britec]

Its just not worth mixing RAM. SMASH the LIKE Button 👍

[GlennChambers]

I download my ram from the internet, it’s all compatible.

[beermarket]

Thanks for the video. You may not understand why people would mix and match sticks but common reasons are:
- You need to increase RAM but your current kit is out of stock/ not produced anymore / Not available in your country.
- You found a great deal for a kit at a cheap price.

It's a real concern to many people with limited budgets and i'm sad to see the same answer again and again with little to no explanation.

The inner workings of a RAM are supposed to be abstract to the motherboard, it does not matter what PCB, Memory modules it's using the motherboard should treat it as RAM stick.

From my experience here is what i learned from mix and match:
- You cannot mix and match RAM modules with different voltages.
- You can mix and match RAM modules with different CLS and Frequency in dual/quad channel so long as you can make all your RAM modules work at same speeds as the slowest RAM module you have.
- You can mix and match different RAM modules with different capacity and CLS and frequency if you make them work in single channel, they should work at the slowest possible speed by default, if not you need to make them work at the slowest possible speed or the system will be unstable.

[tbone]

Always best to use matched RAM, especially if you are going to be stressing it. In practice, with all the used PC that I deal with, mixing RAM will be OK for general usage as long as you follow a few rules. Same type (DDR3/4 etc.), same voltage (DDR3/DDR3L etc.) and put the highest timing (slowest) RAM stick in the RAM slot 0. Not sure if it is true on the newest mobo but RAM timing is set by the RAM in the first slot and most RAM will run fine at slower timing but maybe not the other way.

[BARCH-wpvl]

you saved me, i was having a memory shortage and cant run some 3d application. lots of love from a fan of you from 2013 onwards

[Bioshockboy]

What if you have 2 name branded ones and 1 different named brand

[watup]

AMD does not like 2 different types of ram speed, even though it defaut to the slowest speed of the slowest ram speed! does not matter if ddr2 ddr3 ddr4 ddr5, it is okay for fixing purpose but not a permanent solution

[HAKIMEOVER]

One of the reasons why someone will mix ram is because it's all they have at the time and can't buy a new set. I would say it's better to use one stick that works then two different ones. Even if it appears to work you can run into problems down the road.

[ilovewindows]

This was helpful fof my pc!!!
Thanks bro!!!

[orousfq]

I have a one stick 1x16 gb RAM (xpg spectrix D45G) and i can't find the same model but I found the same brand but with a different name (spectrix D35G instead of D45G) same time in same speed same voltage .
Should I upgrade ?

[rhyzon]

It is optimal? No, but it can work just fine if the RAM DIMMs aren't all that different. Although I definitely don't recommend it in the mid/higher end, especially if you're to have XMP profiles active, that will most likely cause issues.

Usually, Intel isn't all that fuzzy with RAM. AMD, a lot more.

[johnlloydmangubat]

Your vids are very helpfull especially for newbie like me. Thanks for this!!

[fwingebritson]

I mix and match memory because I am a cheap bastard that buys one or two stick at a time either on sale or on the second hand market.

[johngoard]

Excellent video Brian I have found out by trial and error over the years that sticking to these rules is the only way to go.

[hellzflaco]

Can I mix different gb of the same brand?like 2 16gb and 2 8gb of the same brand

[Dirtyharry]

Try mixing on a server and the thing will have a conniption as soon as you plug in

[beamonit]

I just want Corsair vengeance mixed with Corsair rgb pro, same frequency, capacity, and ddr4. Is that possible?

[CoolDudeClem]

Short answer yes, or at least you could back some time ago. I remember when I put a 256MB and a 128MB stick in my PC a long time ago, and it worked.

[billthompson]

I bought the same brand and stock number of RAM that I had installed when I built my computer in order to upgrade to 32GB. It gave a POST error when I added it to my motherboard and also would not boot when it was run by itself. I noticed that everything was the same on the PCB sticker except for the version number. I finally found the difference in versions on MSI's memory compatibility chart; the chips were made by a different manufacturer. I called the vendor and manufacturer to see how I could order the correct version and they said there was no outside labeling that indicated the version number and one would have to open the packaging to view the version label on the product!
I returned the product and will wait until prices come down to buy a matched set of 32GB RAM.

[paubamlengjeme]

How about using different brand dual channel RAM with same frequency??