Use old RAM?

jjonsalt

New Member
I'm dumping my ol' desktop which is several years old. Best description of the RAM I can understand is DDR3 PC3-12800, DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 (non-ECC). My new desktop's RAM I can identify as PC12800 DDR3 1600 Dual Channel. I will have a couple of slots open and wonder if the old sticks (both are 240) will work properly in the new PC. thoughts?
 
You don't want to mix speeds of ram as the faster sticks will slow down to the slowest speed. Also make sure the timings match.
 
Speed, both are 12800, is that the "speed"? How can I be sure the timings match? Do all need be "dual channel"?
 
You said you had 2 speeds. 12800 and 10600, which are 1600mhz and 1333mhz respectively. Do not put in the 10600 cause that will slow down your other ram. If you give me the model numbers I can see if the timings match.
 
OK, the only info I have about the RAM coming with my new computer is, 16GB (2x8GB) PC12800 DDR3 1600 Dual Channel. I'm sure I can get additional info if needed. I just pulled a stick from my old computer and it reads as follows, G.SKILL, F3-12800CL-9Q-16GBXL
DDR3-1600 PC3-12800 4GBx4
CL-9-9-9-24 1.5v

I'm not sure how dual channel affects the setup.
It appears the MB (ASRock 970 Extreme3 AM3+,Cross Fire, SATA3, USB 3.0 GB LAN) has only 4 slots so I can't use all 4 of my old sticks but 24GB RAM must be better than 16GB (OS is Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit). thoughts?
 
Using Photoshop, Corel Draw and other photo and illustration programs I found an increase from 4 to 18GB in the past sped things up. Should the RAM I have work OK in the new computer?
 
Start with the 16GB in dual channel, then if you need to upgrade to more, do that then. The other RAM should work though.
 
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