Discussing mixed RAM configurations
Discussing mixed RAM configurations
Hello, I have an MSI MEG Z590 ACE motherboard with full specifications. My setup includes two 16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro modules in memory slots 2 and 4. I recently bought two 32GB G.Skill Trident Z Royal Series modules. I'm wondering if it's better to replace the old Corsair RAM (32GB) with the new G.Skill (64GB) or if it's okay to use both—Corsair in slots 2 and 4, G.Skill in slots 1 and 3, or the reverse. Would this give me a total of 96GB? I understand mixing brands and types can be tricky, but I want to make sure this is the right approach for my system. Also, I have some specific needs for the extra memory. Thanks for your advice! — Carl
Use the standard kit unless you truly require 96GB of RAM. It should function, but performance will likely be limited to triple or quad rank at the best of cases. At worst, you'll face significant strain on the memory controller, making XMP support difficult. Unless you need more than 64GB, there won’t be any real speed improvement from triple or quad rank.
Thank you for your input! It would help if you shared that you frequently edit videos and develop games, which is why you increased your storage from 32GB to 64GB. I’m not focusing on overall memory speed, but rather on having more space for larger files during editing. Regarding your second question, using both kits together would likely cause noticeable performance drops. Let me know if you’d like more details!
The problem isn't just about performance dropping, but mainly about a reduced likelihood of memory operating at its rated speeds. Sticking to JEDEC standards can cause noticeable drops, especially in certain tasks—some applications see more than a 10% loss, while others are unaffected. If you're limited to JEDEC speeds, performance may decrease noticeably based on your workload. However, using more than 64GB of RAM isn't a big issue; it mainly benefits you if you're already at the maximum. Going up to 128GB offers little advantage and might slow things down further. If you hit the 64GB mark, consider adding a Corsair solution to minimize losses from using the pagefile.
Mixing different brands of RAM is perfectly fine; your device will choose the slowest one. If the Corsair link matches the RAM you actually have, both Corsair and G.Skill modules perform at the same frequency and timing. You can activate XMP to let your RAM operate at its optimal rate. If XMP causes issues or errors, turn it off and let your system run at its detected speed. The standard frequency is usually 2133MHz, but you can adjust it to match your CPU’s supported maximum without needing XMP. Intel Z590 uses socket 1200, which is compatible with Intel 10th and 11th generation GPUs. For these processors, the maximum supported memory speed is 2933MHz for 10th gen and 3200MHz for 11th gen, unless your CPU has a different specification. Always check your CPU details to confirm the exact memory speed it can handle.