Windows 7 - Mixing memory chip sizes on ASRock M3A770DE mobo

bethy1234 · 06-13-2011

Mrning all,

Could any one tell me whether it would be ok to mix memory chip sizes on my mobo.

currently i have 4gb of ddr2 in one slot. would it be ok to add something like CORSAIR 4GB (2x2GB) XMS3 DDR3 1600MHz, in memory slots 2 and 3, leaving slot 4 free for when i can possibly afford another 4gb memory chip.

Will mixing ddr2 and ddr3 cause me a problem, or is it best to stick with ddr2 across the board?

Thanks in advance

Fumz · 06-14-2011

It's physically impossible to place a stick of DDR3 into a DDR 2 motherboard.

carwiz · 06-14-2011

Nope, not only will it not fit it's not compatible. That's why they make them with the key slot in a different place.

Here's quick comparison of DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 modules. (Notice the location of the key slot.)

ddr « GBComputerGuys.com Blog

bethy1234 · 06-14-2011

Thank you fumz/carwiz,

it turns out the stats i gave you re: my ram were taken using an old vesion of cpu-z (circa 2009) which reported ddr2, i checked my mobo ram type at asrock, it stated mobo only uses ddr3, this lead me to d/l a more recent copy of cpu-z which correctly stated ram to indeed be ddr3. My mistake.

My question remains is it possible to mix ram sizes e.g. 4gb+2gb+2gb+4gb on the same mobo?

Thank you in advance

Dwarf · 06-14-2011

Yes, it is possible to mix module capacities, providing that all the other parameters (timings and voltage) match. However, for best results, and to maintain the correct operation of dual/triple channel on systems that support it, you will get better performance if all modules match in every respect.

bethy1234 · 06-14-2011

dwarf,your info answers my question precisely.

thanks

Dwarf · 06-14-2011

You're welcome, bethy1234.

carwiz · 06-14-2011

Check your motherboard documentation first. Not all MBs or more precicely, the BIOS, will use different capacity memory modules as you expect. Some will assign the memory as a unit (contiguous) and some will not. If it's not assigned contiguously, Windows will reserve it for hardware use and not assign it to software. It becomes wasted RAM for most part.

Windows 7 - Mixing memory chip sizes on ASRock M3A770DE mobo

Mixing memory chip sizes on ASRock M3A770DE mobo problems?