Memory upgrade What do I need to know

[Britjoe]

So Im currently Running, 8.00 GB mushkin 1333mhz, with a latency of 9.9.9.24 1.5 volt
Now the stuff I bought to build my system isn't available anymore, cant find it,
its so cheap, I wanna through in another 8gb, cause ive got a gift card, for my fave PC component store.
Question.
Can I just match specs, or do I need to ditch what I have, and buy new stuff?

 

[JaidynM]

Nope, that should be fine. As long as you get the exact same brand and model of RAM, it'll work. Just remember the more RAM you install, the more stress that is put on the memory controller which will limit any overclock you might do.

 

[Britjoe]

JaidynM thats just it I cant find it in the same brand any more I just have to match the specs, and I dont over clock,

 

[TVeblen]

You should be OK just matching the Specs. No guarantees.

Some RAM plays nice with others. Some doesn't. The issue comes down to the integrity of the manufacturer. All RAM modules are mass produced in one batch and then tested and "binned" according to their maximum performance level at certain speed and timings. The quality of this testing is the key to getting consistent performance from a group of modules. Cheap RAM is probably cheap because they do not spend a lot of time or money doing the testing.

So your results may vary.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

JaidynM thats just it I cant find it in the same brand any more I just have to match the specs, and I dont over clock,

You have an excellent chance of not having any problems if you buy a reputable brand and match the specs as closely as possible, particularly regarding voltage.

You likely have non-ECC memory now, so make sure the new sticks are also non-ECC.

You don't hear about mis-matched RAM issues nearly as much as you did 10 or 15 years ago. I suspect the manufacturers are adhering more tightly to industry-wide specifications.

 

[pparks1]

So Im currently Running, 8.00 GB mushkin 1333mhz, with a latency of 9.9.9.24 1.5 volt
Now the stuff I bought to build my system isn't available anymore, cant find it,
its so cheap, I wanna through in another 8gb, cause ive got a gift card, for my fave PC component store.
Question.
Can I just match specs, or do I need to ditch what I have, and buy new stuff?

Britjoe: Do you have a need to have 16GB of RAM? Because unless you are doing heavy video editing or running lots of virtual machines...it's almost a guarantee that you won't see any performance benefit whatsoever from increasing from 8GB of RAM to 16GB of RAM.

I realize the desire to upgrade is simply because RAM is cheap, but I still feel compelled to suggest that you save these gift cards and use them for other purchases in the future which might actually improve your performance or user experience.

 

[JaidynM]

So Im currently Running, 8.00 GB mushkin 1333mhz, with a latency of 9.9.9.24 1.5 volt
Now the stuff I bought to build my system isn't available anymore, cant find it,
its so cheap, I wanna through in another 8gb, cause ive got a gift card, for my fave PC component store.
Question.
Can I just match specs, or do I need to ditch what I have, and buy new stuff?

Britjoe: Do you have a need to have 16GB of RAM? Because unless you are doing heavy video editing or running lots of virtual machines...it's almost a guarantee that you won't see any performance benefit whatsoever from increasing from 8GB of RAM to 16GB of RAM.

I realize the desire to upgrade is simply because RAM is cheap, but I still feel compelled to suggest that you save these gift cards and use them for other purchases in the future which might actually improve your performance or user experience.

Very well said. There's not much point in wasting money on something that you are unlikely to use. If there's anything else you want to purchase in the future, put the gift card toward that.