Upcoming RAM upgrade, but it doesn’t really stand out as a strong reason to buy...
Upcoming RAM upgrade, but it doesn’t really stand out as a strong reason to buy...
Thanks for the corrections (this isn’t my first language). I just bought another 32gig kit, two extra sticks, from my existing 2 sticks setup with all the same details (speed, delay, type of memory package, etc.) and the same supplier (Corsair). I hoped to be able to host servers for games with friends.
I was really surprised when the upgrade began causing problems with my computer. It started with one blue screen and then some unexpected game crashes, up to three in a row when logging into Windows. After that, I took out the two new sticks and restarted the PC for testing. I ran AIDA64 and everything worked fine. The system stayed stable.
About a week later, I called Corsair support to ask for help. I explained what had happened so far and asked if there was anything I could do differently or if I made a mistake that caused these issues. Up until now, I thought I’d either get an explanation or be able to swap my kit for something better.
Fast forward to this morning when I got the answer from support (it’s in French, so I’ll give a rough translation). Hi (my name), Thank you for reaching out to Corsair’s technical team. We really advise against mixing different memory kits in your system. Our kits aren’t tested together; they’re only meant for use with the same set of sticks. If you use multiple kits—even if they have similar speeds—the risk is compatibility problems like: system instability, inability to enable XMP (like DOCP in my case), or even being unable to boot at all.
We apologize for any trouble this has caused. We’re happy to answer any other questions you might have. Thank you for choosing Corsair.
Best regards,
Tech support representative
Visit the manufacturer's site and check the support area for RAM compatibility details. You may notice that only a limited number of high-capacity 4-slot setups are marked as confirmed. Any items not listed are likely untested.
I attempted but only one profile exists (3600 cl8) or it's off (2666), which undermines the goal of adding good RAM if I run it at basic speed. Also, I'm using a Ryzen platform where lowering the frequency below 3200 is quite expensive in terms of performance.
I don’t see any issues with Corsair. You likely started the PC using a 2-module setup, possibly following some online guides. Corsair didn’t guarantee you could upgrade later or provide new RAM. They might not be liable for incorrect advice from third parties. The kits exist because manufacturing tolerances vary—some older systems struggled with more than two sticks. There are also single-sided modules and other components that can affect compatibility. If it doesn’t work, try adjusting settings carefully or consulting the original documentation. Which brand do you think is more responsible? Your own choice of setup.
Back in the early days (like Athlon XP 2800+ days), I always adjusted RAM as needed without any problems. I thought it might be a good idea, even though it sounded risky. He mentioned it was the same type of package. Are we comparing specs and brands, or are we talking about identical branded RAM? I realize mixing RAM with matching specs could cause trouble, but if it’s exactly the same model—like the Amazon listing shows it as the same product—I’d be frustrated too. I just saw your post, which is helpful. I expect such details on the packaging; as long as they’re clear, there’s no problem. If it’s a later revision only visible after purchase, that feels like poor business practice.
the only difference was the version
in my situation
version was what set it apart