Few questions about purchasing new ram.

Jemjem787 · 05 Sep 2016

Me and my brother (We both have near identical setups, our MOBO's and RAM are the same down in my biography). We are both wanting to upgrade from 8 to 16gb, and am wondering what the best way would be to do it. Here is what i'm thinking.

A. We buy 2x8gb, and we each get a stick.

B. We buy 2x8gb. Someone gets both the 8gb sticks, and gives the other one the 2x4 sticks.

C. We buy 4x4gs, and we each get 2 sticks.

A few questions, i know that we can't interchange ddr3/ddr4, so we would just be buying ddr3 (Unless we go with B), But is having a 4gb/4gb/8gb ram configuration ok? Or does it need to be "Symmetrical".

https://www.mikescomputershop.com/product/2986821
https://www.mikescomputershop.com/product/2986812

Are the 2 i am considering, are they compatible with my MOBO? And which one would be best?

Megahertz07 · 05 Sep 2016

If you don't want to have trouble with RAM, don't mix new and old.
If the memory on both computers are exactly the same brand, model and timings, the Answer is B: one gets 4x4 G and the other gets 2x8 G

ignatzatsonic · 05 Sep 2016

Megahertz07 has got it, assuming the current RAM in both machines is identical.

Confirm that the machine getting the extra 2 x 4 works well with the donated RAM. If so, buy 16 GB of new RAM for the donating PC. That way, you haven't mixed old with new.

Those 2 RAM choices look OK to me. You might check the Asus web site for your motherboard to see if those HyperX sticks are on the memory compatibility list. They might not be, but that wouldn't mean they won't work well. Both are 1.5 volt, DDR3 and appear to differ only in the speed rating. One is a dollar more than the other and there is about zero chance you'd ever notice the difference between the two.

Mellon Head · 05 Sep 2016

This is better RAM for option B, for about the same price:

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 (PC3 19200) Desktop Memory Model 997123F - Newegg.ca

You can clock it faster, and set the timings tighter than the Kingston DDR3-1600. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.

ICIT2LOL · 05 Sep 2016

My two cents worth B and personally get the largest stick I can if you have to get two sticks I always get a matched pair, same brand or research the timings etc etc if the sticks are of different brands.

A good source of info is Tradesman at Welcome to the G.SKILL TECH FORUM

Megahertz07 · 06 Sep 2016

The P8Z77-V LX only support DDR3 up to 2400. DDR4 isn't supported.
Remember, even if the computer is shut-ed down, the memory has power.
Before inserting or removing memory:
- On a laptop, disconnect the power supply, remove the battery and wait 1/2 minute to capacitors discharge.
- On a desktop, disconnect the power supply cord and wait 1/2 minute to capacitors discharge.

ICIT2LOL · 06 Sep 2016

Megahertz07 said:

The P8Z77-V LX only support DDR3 up to 2400. DDR4 isn't supported.
Remember, even if the computer is shut-ed down, the memory has power.
Before inserting or removing memory:
- On a laptop, disconnect the power supply, remove the battery and wait 1/2 minute to capacitors discharge.
- On a desktop, disconnect the power supply cord and wait 1/2 minute to capacitors discharge.

A good point and it can also be done by holding down the power button as well