Quick question.
I already have 4gb (2 sticks) of ddr3 memory in my current mobo. If I upgrade to a new TC mobo, can I just buy one more stick of 2gb ddr3 and use all 3 sticks in a triple channel set up?
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Quick question.
I already have 4gb (2 sticks) of ddr3 memory in my current mobo. If I upgrade to a new TC mobo, can I just buy one more stick of 2gb ddr3 and use all 3 sticks in a triple channel set up?
Memory is sold in those triple/dual channel kits for a reason. You can't just throw another single stick in there and expect it to work. If you're trying to save on cash you should be able to use your existing dual channel memory though and it will still work in the triple channel board...you'd just sorta be gimping the setup.
To clarify the above, the memory is sold in kits to reduce product returns/refunds due to mismatched speeds/timings/etc. On 3 otherwise functionally stable 2GB sticks, as long as they have the same rating and timing specs, they should work fine. I do it all the time for a major PC OEM and the only problems I've seen are when sticks are either cheap Chinese knockoff crap, early proto hardware or mismatched speeds. NOTE: just because two sticks say PC3-8500 does NOT mean they're set up for the same timings. The least common denominator principle generally applies.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenril
You should already know where those options exist in BIOS and have a BIOS that can tweak them if you're going to attempt this. If you don't already know where to look up the specs and how to tweak the BIOS, you're just asking for headaches and problems.
Rokins, you can insert about any ram into your computer, if the ram sticks are of different speed then all sticks will reduce speed to match the speed of the slower stick. You should be able to insert any 2gb ddr3 stick into your computer, its unlikely that it will not work even if its not a kit. If three single sticks cost less then one kit of 3 pieces then go for the single sticks, there is no difference except packaging ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pycno
lol so totally ignore the other posters?
I disagree, some boards do default to the best settings for all memory sticks in the board at the time BUT some boards do not do this, the result is either a black screen with no boot or the board will beep saying there is a memory error OR 3rd and possibly the most annoying it will run but you will get random reboots due to one of the sticks not being happy running at the assigned speed.
As some of the other posters pointed out, if you know your way around the memory settings in the bios it is possible to manually set the memory timing so that all the sticks will work reliably.
The main thing to look on the memory sticks is the CAS latency, the lower it is the higher the performance BUT mismatched with other sticks will cause lots of issues so try to make sure the CAS latency is the same on all sticks in the machine, that along with PC3 - 8500 (or whatever you have) should make it a decent match but again not always guaranteed.
I personally would check in the bios to see what the timings are defaulting to for your current memory and then buy a stick with those timings. The other way to go is to get the exact same brand and hope they came from the same manufacturing plant :)
Rokins, Most ram will work fine together just fine if its the same major speed/type (cant mix ddr2 with ddr3). Kits are sold for practical reasons, most people want to fill up their 2 or 3 channels and buy 2-3 sticks anyway so why not sell them in pairs/triples? But do open up your computer and buy something that is as similar as possible in terms of brand, speed, looks etc, doesnt hurt to be on the safe side but you should absolutely not have to discard your sticks and buy three new ones.
While what everyone says in this thread can be true....I chose to give the easiest, least confusing, answer. Go ahead and throw some random stick of RAM into your third memory bank and see what happens. Be prepared to troubleshoot things and change BIOS settings if necessary. If you're not comfortable with doing all of that...buy one of the pre-made kits.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rokins
If you can, buy a single stick of what you already have. The triple channel set is the same as a dual set from the same company, minus the number of sticks in the package. So do some research and find a single 2gig stick of what you already have, and buy a third stick of it.
I ususaly slightly underclock my ram (use the 2T timeing instead of 1T).
Put in a stick then set your bios two levels below what the ram is supposed to be, it should start no matter what then run Sandra and find out all your timings then set to the worst in the bios.
Buying the same part number stick as the above poster explained is optimal though.