Combining various Ram brands
Combining various Ram brands
Hey there! I discovered a set of RAM sticks from my previous build – they’re two 2x8GB G.Skill Ripjaws V at 2133MHz CL15. I’m thinking of passing them to my brother who sometimes stutters during games like GTA FiveM or when lots of tabs are open. He has a Kingston HyperX Fury 2x4GB DDR4 at 2133MHz CL14. Since I don’t use mine myself, I want him to have them too. My main concern is whether mixing these types can work and if it’s safe for his system. His specs are: CPU i5-7500, motherboard MSI B250 Krait, RAM Kingston HyperX Fury 2x4GB at 2133MHz CL14.
It won't harm the hardware, but could lead to system issues because the RAM sticks have different timing. You might end up using the slowest DIMM for compatibility. Combining capacities isn't recommended either, as it can affect stability. For better results, stick to compatible kits.
Sure thing. Just flip the sticks and you'll have 16GB. That should be enough to help your little brother escape the annoying monster called stuttering
You need to be open to testing in the BIOS to discover the common ground. That means matching voltage, frequency, and CAS latency. Your motherboard could handle this automatically or you might settle for stock settings. You might notice that 16 GB performs better than 24 GB when running at the right configuration. I think this will hold true even after adjusting settings. Incompatible sticks in size and CAS will force the memory controller to work harder. Just swap out the 8 for the 16.
That's true too, and definitely adding more RAM helps a lot these days. It seems the RAM in your PC might not be fast enough because it's CL14, which usually means slower clock speeds. That would likely result in poor timing performance and a high-frequency setup that wouldn't work well with an i5-7500.
Avoid combining both kits and opt for upgrading your brother to the 16GB version.
Will do, thankyou for the answer : ) may i also ask u why ? I thaught since both had same frequency 2133mhz the chances of them running smoothly would be bigger. Could u explain me why i shouldn’t better do it. I know nothing about memory/ram : )
Inconsistent stick dimensions and CAS values will force the memory controller to work harder. Speed isn't just about frequency; you'll need to experiment extensively. It's better to follow the guidance of memory vendors rather than trying to optimize alone. Running 16GB at peak settings will perform significantly better than 24GB, which forces the CPU to constantly search for data. Memory pipelines and page files add overhead that can slow things down.
The system currently uses two 4GB memory slots, but the actual IC chips inside are smaller than the larger 8GB slots, which offer more storage. These memory chips are produced by three major RAM manufacturers: Micron (Crucial), Samsung, and SK Hynix. Combining them isn't recommended because it can overload the CPU's integrated memory controller, leading to instability like crashes, freezes, or BSOD errors.