Quick RAM Question?

Des_Zac

Des_Zac

Member
I know this is a pretty nooby question, but can you have unmatching RAM?
What I mean by this is could I have an 8GB stick and a 1GB stick? If not why?


Thanks, :D

-Zach
 
Even if this works, its generally a better idea to have two matching sticks of RAM, IE, bought in a two-pack, 4-pack, what have you.
 
Yes it works. I have done it before. Just be sure to test for stability if you are having problems. After mis matching RAM I got BSODs until I set the speed, timings and voltage manually in the BIOS.

Probably won't happen though.
 
It will work if you can get the timing and voltage to match up on both sticks and run stable. But it wil run in single channel. If you have a 8gb. stick, why do you even want to add the 1gb. stick. (point)
 
yes it will work fine, and wont cause any damage. the reason most people use two sticks that are matched is because it will work in what is called "dual channel" mode. this basically doubles the bandwidth of the ram by using both sticks at the same time. but if you are planning on using single channel anyways (only one 8gb stick) than using the extra 1gb will not adversely affect performance.
 
This is all hypothetical, I don't actually have an 8gig and 1gig stick I'm just wondering, but how about this, say the mobo has four slots, if I was to put in, let's say, two 512mb sticks and two 1gb sticks. Since there are two pairs would there be two dual channels? And would they both be on at the same time?
 
it depends on the motherboard but most new boards will support that situation in dual channel as long as the sticks can all be made to run at the same speeds and timings
 
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