Hybrid memory configuration. Unable to boot while using different RAMs

Hello SF,

Straight to the point, I had two G.Skill 2Gb RAM's(1333Mhz and 9-9-9-24 [F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL](4gb because its a 2+2 module), of which one got bad. So consequently I bought a new single 4gb G.Skill RAM. (1600Mhz and 9-9-9-24)

The problem arrives when I try to use both the memories together, i.e., the new 4gb one and the single 2Gb good one left from the 2+2. I am able to run them separately, but when I put them together the system wont boot.

Firstly, can I use them together?
Further, I got a notion from the web that it will in fact lower the performance.

Thanks,
YBL.

I agree with madcratebuilder. Mixing and matching RAM is a gamble - period.

Check the voltage rating on both RAM sticks. These must match also.

The motherboard has a RAM voltage requirement also. You can assume that the RAM that came with the board is the correct voltage if you do not have a motherboard manual.

the two RAMs have wildly different specs. It's theoretically possible to use them both at the same time, but you will have to lose a lot of time trying to overvolt either ram a bit and or adjusting other settings in the RAM panel of the bios.

And in the end you still get that the newer and faster 4 GB RAM you bought will be running at the speed of the 2 GB one, which is less.

Unless you really need those two GB i'd recommend to sell them as used or to keep them in a box (not installed but ready to be installed) as a failsafe in case your new RAM malfunctions.

madcratebuilder said:

I've never been successful using two different styles of RAM sticks. I have mixed brands but they needed to be the same size and rated speed. Just run the 4gb stick, maybe sell the 2gb toward a second 4gb.

I guess then that I just wasted my whole day trying different frequencies and slots and clock timings. I made a table with
4C2(4 out of 2 slots) x 4 (OC switch) x 2(upping the 2GB or lowering the 4Gb in terms of freq.) x 2! x 1(both RAM's are 1.5) = 96 cases. ( Can some cases be omitted? I just took the exhaustive approach ^_^)
Out of which I tried 30 something all of them unstable. If I get aroung to testing the rest and get success I would post it here.

After I am running with the 4Gb stick. I dont think I would be able to sell it. I might keep that as Plan B if my 4gb fails.

YBL.

TVeblen said:

The motherboard has a RAM voltage requirement also.

I assembled the desktop myself, so there was no RAM that came with the MB
I checked the specs for the slots and it was ok for 1.5 volts and the freq, so I just installed them tried and they worked.

About the RAM voltage requirements, I guess its the voltage supported by the MB? Can you elaborate? bit confused here.

Thanks,
YBL.

bobafetthotmail said:

the two RAMs have wildly different specs. It's theoretically possible to use them both at the same time, but you will have to lose a lot of time trying to overvolt either ram a bit and or adjusting other settings in the RAM panel of the bios.

And in the end you still get that the newer and faster 4 GB RAM you bought will be running at the speed of the 2 GB one, which is less.

Unless you really need those two GB i'd recommend to sell them as used or to keep them in a box (not installed but ready to be installed) as a failsafe in case your new RAM malfunctions.

'think that sums it up. But I just wanted to make it work once, just because it can be done.

Thanks,
YBL.

youllbelost said:

TVeblen said:

The motherboard has a RAM voltage requirement also.

I assembled the desktop myself, so there was no RAM that came with the MB
I checked the specs for the slots and it was ok for 1.5 volts and the freq, so I just installed them tried and they worked.

About the RAM voltage requirements, I guess its the voltage supported by the MB? Can you elaborate? bit confused here.

Thanks,
YBL.

Yes, the motherboard and the CPU have voltage requirements for the RAM module(s). You can find these requirements in the motherboard manual, or on the motherboard website specs.
In general, RAM running at a lower voltage than the requirement will run fine, but trying to run RAM that needs more voltage than the motherboard allows will result in problems.

Lower voltage RAM runs cooler and more efficiently than higher voltage RAM also.