Combining various RAM types together
Combining various RAM types together
Hey, you're thinking about improving your family members' PC by adding more RAM. You want 2 extra sticks of 4GB DDR3 at 1600MHz, aiming for 16GB total. You're wondering if it's safe to use a different brand of DDR3 RAM instead of the same one you usually buy. You mentioned DDR3 is relatively flexible with brand changes, aside from voltage differences, and are unsure if mixing brands would work. It sounds like you're open to trying a different DDR3 kit, as long as it meets the specs.
Combining and swapping old RAM is acceptable, just make sure the speeds/CL are as similar as possible to what’s already there.
Choose another brand while maintaining identical speed and timing. If the new RAM is slower, the current RAM will operate at the pace of the slowest component.
Experimenting with RAM at various rates is acceptable, but keep in mind it will operate at the lowest common denominator of all available sticks. Personally, I don't suggest this approach.
He's using a 4th generation Haswell CPU and it appears they avoid RAM above 1.35 volts. Many RAM options I've seen online fall in the 1.35 to 1.5 volts range, which makes me a bit uncertain about safety. Since most of these are from unknown brands, that adds another concern.