Do different types of RAM have to be compatible with each other?

JohnJSal · 10-26-2009, 11:53 PM

I have 2GB of Kingston RAM in my PC right now. If I want to upgrade with another 2GB (or perhaps 4GB even), is it necessary to ensure that my current RAM and whatever new RAM I buy are compatible? Is that a concern to worry about, or does it just need to be compatible with the mobo?

Also, is there any reason to even go to 6GB right now? Or should I just add 2GB more and have a total of 4GB? (This is assuming I buy the 64-bit version of Windows 7 soon.)

Thanks.

Turbo10 · 10-27-2009, 12:34 AM

If you get another 2gb youll probably want to get the same RAM as you got before, and about 6gb theres not really much point, the performance increase in games is next to nothing its just unnecessary 4gb is fine (: but yeah just get another 2gb sticks of the RAM you have currently got and it will work well

skattle91 · 10-27-2009, 02:25 AM

it is not necessary that both ram's should be compatible. Any good ram will work it out.
6GB is unnecessary

if it is not required and may slow down the processor in some situations.

JohnJSal · 10-27-2009, 02:51 AM

Thanks. Just in case they don't have the exact same RAM anymore

mx344 · 10-27-2009, 02:53 AM

ehh, well i guess you could use different brands, but i suggest that you get the same brand.

^=About the 6 gigs, well my friend has a e5300 rig with 6 gigs, against my rig, i don't notice any difference in vista, you will notice vista is smoother going from 2 gigs to 4gigs, cause i sure did, but 4gigs is the max i would upgrade to for now.

EDIT: DUDE, do you have the same ram as me???

Kingston value ram 800mhz? 6-6-6-18, it is low profile. If so then newegg still has them, they are about 20 bucks per gig

JohnJSal · 10-27-2009, 02:58 AM

But more than just the same brand (Kingston), do I need to get the same *type* of RAM (ValueRAM, speed, etc) or does that not matter? I have no problem getting more Kingston, but what about the details?

JohnJSal · 10-27-2009, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mx344

EDIT: DUDE, do you have the same ram as me???

Kingston value ram 800mhz? 6-6-6-18, it is low profile. If so then newegg still has them, they are about 20 bucks per gig

Yeah, this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134117

And it looks like Newegg still has it, so no problem then...

newguy · 10-28-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skattle91

it is not necessary that both ram's should be compatible. Any good ram will work it out.
6GB is unnecessary

if it is not required and may slow down the processor in some situations.

this is true but you want the two to have the same clocking speed otherwise they revert to the slower ones speed. and scince you already know what kind of ram you have just buy the same.

aviation_man · 10-28-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newguy

this is true but you want the two to have the same clocking speed otherwise they revert to the slower ones speed. and scince you already know what kind of ram you have just buy the same.

Yes, this is true.

If what type of RAM didn't matter, why make 1066Mhz and 666Mhz frequencies?
It's best NOT to cross match RAM frequencies. Just like stated above, the higher clocking speed will clock down to the lower clocking speed of the lowest stick. Meaning, if I have a 1066Mhz in my board, and I stick a 666Mhz, BOTH sticks will be automatically clocked down to 666Mhz. You can also run the risk of a BSOD. It's just not the best thing to do, even if it might be alright for you to do so.

mx344 · 10-29-2009, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnJSal

Yeah, this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134117

And it looks like Newegg still has it, so no problem then...

Yep Yep, it was prob one of my best upgrade on my computer, besides my video card.

10-26-2009, 11:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
JohnJSal Platinum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Houston, TX Age: 29 Posts: 628	Do different types of RAM have to be compatible with each other? I have 2GB of Kingston RAM in my PC right now. If I want to upgrade with another 2GB (or perhaps 4GB even), is it necessary to ensure that my current RAM and whatever new RAM I buy are compatible? Is that a concern to worry about, or does it just need to be compatible with the mobo? Also, is there any reason to even go to 6GB right now? Or should I just add 2GB more and have a total of 4GB? (This is assuming I buy the 64-bit version of Windows 7 soon.) Thanks. __________________ Case: Antec P182 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4 CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3.00GHz) GPU: EVGA GeForce 8800GT (512MB) RAM: Kingston ValueRAM (1GB x 4) Sound: Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtremegamer / Logitech X-230 HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 (500GB) Optical: Samsung 20x DVD burner PSU: Corsair HX620 Monitor: LG 22" L226WTQ-BF

10-27-2009, 12:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Turbo10 Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England Age: 16 Posts: 398	If you get another 2gb youll probably want to get the same RAM as you got before, and about 6gb theres not really much point, the performance increase in games is next to nothing its just unnecessary 4gb is fine (: but yeah just get another 2gb sticks of the RAM you have currently got and it will work well __________________ Motherboard: XFX 680i LT SLI CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Overclocked at 3.4Ghz Memory: 4gb OCZ SLI PC2-6400 HDD: 160gb WD SATA + 750gb Samsung F1 SATA GFX: Zotac GTX 260 216 OS: Windows Vista 32bit PSU: Atrix 750W CASE: NZXT Tempest MONITOR: Asus 22-inch VH226H 1080p HD (1920x1080)

10-27-2009, 02:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
JohnJSal Platinum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Houston, TX Age: 29 Posts: 628	Thanks. Just in case they don't have the exact same RAM anymore __________________ Case: Antec P182 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4 CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3.00GHz) GPU: EVGA GeForce 8800GT (512MB) RAM: Kingston ValueRAM (1GB x 4) Sound: Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtremegamer / Logitech X-230 HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 (500GB) Optical: Samsung 20x DVD burner PSU: Corsair HX620 Monitor: LG 22" L226WTQ-BF

10-27-2009, 02:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
mx344 Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Fresno, California Age: 15 Posts: 604	ehh, well i guess you could use different brands, but i suggest that you get the same brand. ^=About the 6 gigs, well my friend has a e5300 rig with 6 gigs, against my rig, i don't notice any difference in vista, you will notice vista is smoother going from 2 gigs to 4gigs, cause i sure did, but 4gigs is the max i would upgrade to for now. EDIT: DUDE, do you have the same ram as me??? Kingston value ram 800mhz? 6-6-6-18, it is low profile. If so then newegg still has them, they are about 20 bucks per gig __________________ Processor:AMD 5200+ @2.835ghz Mobo:M2N-SLI Ram:Kingston Value 4GIGS 800mhz@864 5-5-5-18 + 4GB of ReadyBoost HDD: Seagate 250GIG 7200RPM 32mb cache GPU:ATI 4670 GDDR4 OC 780/1750 PSU:antec basiq 500watt Last edited by mx344; 10-27-2009 at 02:56 AM.

10-27-2009, 02:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
JohnJSal Platinum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Houston, TX Age: 29 Posts: 628	But more than just the same brand (Kingston), do I need to get the same type of RAM (ValueRAM, speed, etc) or does that not matter? I have no problem getting more Kingston, but what about the details? __________________ Case: Antec P182 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4 CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3.00GHz) GPU: EVGA GeForce 8800GT (512MB) RAM: Kingston ValueRAM (1GB x 4) Sound: Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtremegamer / Logitech X-230 HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 (500GB) Optical: Samsung 20x DVD burner PSU: Corsair HX620 Monitor: LG 22" L226WTQ-BF

10-27-2009, 02:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
skattle91 New Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3	it is not necessary that both ram's should be compatible. Any good ram will work it out. 6GB is unnecessary if it is not required and may slow down the processor in some situations.

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