Solved Does upgrading my RAM needs more power ?

[Ijas619]

Hi,
I am planning to upgrade my PC RAM. MY Motherboard is Asus P8H61ML3 and it support DDR3 RAM with 1333/1600 MHz. Do I need the same as my current RAM (exact brand and version) or can i buy Another brand. I am planning to buy this one :Corsair Vengeance DDR3 4 GB (1 x 4 GB) PC DRAM (CMZ4GX3M1A1600C9) - Corsair : Flipkart.com

Does upgrading my RAM needs new SMPS? I am currently using SMPS of 650 V.

 

[Layback Bear]

My rule of the thumb.

Never mix ram.
Always buy ram in match sets. When I replace ram or add ram I don't use the old ram.

Corsair is a excellent brand. They have a very good reputation.

Your ram volts should start at what the ram modules indicates. It should be printed on the sticker on the side of the ram module.

This is the specs of your mother board.

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8H61M_LX/specifications/

2 x DIMM, Max. 16GB, DDR3 1333/1066 Hz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* The maximum 16GB memory capacity can be supported with 8GB or above DIMMs. ASUS will update the memory QVL once the DIMMs are available in the market.
* Refer to ASUS USA or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).
* Due to OS limitation, when installing total memory of 4GB capacity or more, Windows® 32-bit operation system may only recognize less than 3GB. Install a 64-bit Windows® OS when you want to install 4GB or more memory on the motherboard.

I recommend installing 2 ram modules to keep your motherboard in dual channel. One stick only will run your motherboard/ram in single channel.

Because you have this.

OS Windows 7 ultimate x64

Two 4 gb matched memory modules would work nicely. Total of 8 gig's.

You could go up to a total of 16 gb. Two 8 gb memory modules.
Most people will never need or use 16 gb of ram.
It depends on what you are using your computer for.

The ram you have posted runs at 1.5 volts.

https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Veng...0153139&sr=8-1&keywords=corsair+4gb+vengeance

8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 Dual Channel Kit
Speed: 1600MHz
Timing: 9-9-9-24
Voltage: 1.5V VDIMM spec ensures compatibility with 2nd generation (Sandy Bridge) Intel Core processor family
Vengeance heat spreader for styling and performance

 

[LMiller7]

Does upgrading my RAM needs more power ?

No.

In comparison to other components RAM requires very little power.

 

[Digerati]

I agree with LMiller7 - you don't normally need a bigger PSU when adding RAM. If adding a couple more sticks takes you over the top, you were already needing a bigger PSU. If you meant 650 watts above (not "v"), then you likely have plenty of power.

Modern motherboards and CPU memory managers are much more capable of supporting mixed RAM than those of years ago. And modern RAM manufacturing techniques ensures RAM (from just about any maker) much more closely adheres to published specifications. So "in theory", you can mix and match brands to ensure compatibility as long as you buy RAM with compatible specifications. And in practice (again, with modern hardware), when you buy RAM with the same specifications as existing RAM, it does work's - most of the time.

But for your best odds to ensure total, trouble-free compatibility, I agree with LayBack Bear and recommend your new RAM either matches your old exactly, or you replace your old with all new.

Because it is often difficult to find exact matching sets to add to existing setups, it is common to just replace it all. Note that most of us who have been around awhile have a nice stash of perfectly good, but old and typically smaller RAM that was replaced during a upgrade process - just to avoid incompatibility issues. Retiring perfectly good computer parts before their time is just a fact of life.

Note that Corsair (like most RAM makers) has a nice RAM wizard to help pick compatible RAM. You can plug your information in to the Corsair Memory Finder and it will provide a list of compatible RAM.