Quick RAM question...4 GB stick with a 2 GB stick?

[shakyleg]

Hello guys....

                   I have a quick question....
Can I install 4x4 GB sticks on my PRO-E motherboard which already has 2x2GB sticks and fill up the slots? Yes, I know it wont be in triple channel mode...I just wanted to know if I would have any compatibility issues, since I have a chance of Getting 4x4 G Skill Ripjaws (same config as i have now) for a lot less...Should I go for it? Or should I replace the current ones I have as well?

P.S. - I know its not optimum performance solution...but it does save me some money, so...is it possible?

 

[Henry]

If you would take the time and browse the MB forums here you would see all kinds of RAM problem especially with the Ripjaw series. You would think twice about doing such a thing as intentionally mixing RAM and probably creating a problem for your self. You should have started out with a 3 channel kit in the beginning.

 

[shakyleg]

If you would take the time and browse the MB forums here you would see all kinds of RAM problem especially with the Ripjaw series. You would think twice about doing such a thing as intentionally mixing RAM and probably creating a problem for your self. You should have started out with a 3 channel kit in the beginning.

Well, I bought all my stuff for the above rig around Jan and I live in India where tech stuff was/is ridiculously slow in getting updated in the market (availabillity etc etc) and well, online purchases are scarce to zilch ...Infact the i7 series started coming into mainstream retail outlets in the fall 2009/early 2010, and guess what? When I bought the rig, this was the only 1600Mhz RAM available...they had the 6GBkit (but only inCorsair XMS3 1333Mhz)...So you can hardly blame me for buying the fastest (albeit lesser qty) of what I could get my hands on back then. And actually I've used G-Skill for my P4, Celeron, Coreduo and an AMD system(all DDR2 or lower). Never had a problem with any of em...so I dont get this Ripjaws series is 'Bad' analogy! In fact I'm running mine at 1660Mhz which is above its specifications for 7months...Not.a.single.problem. So keeping aside the 'Ripjaws' tag, can you run any memory on an X58 MSI motherboard with a 2GB-4GB-2GB-4GB config? Atleast I want to know if any of them tried this and then had the MB refusing to recognize this setup.

Peace Out!


P.S. - Its not a problem if I can't fit it in...I'll go for 2GB sticks to fill me up. As is the saying: It's better safe than sorry!

 

[Jack the Newbie]

can you run any memory on an X58 MSI motherboard with a 2GB-4GB-2GB-4GB config? Atleast I want to know if any of them tried this and then had the MB refusing to recognize this setup.

The question is rather how well the memory controller of the processor will be able to handle mixed configurations like that.  You always have the best chance for compatibility when using identical memory sticks in all slots.  There is also no general answer to your question.  Such a configuration can work when one mixture of 2GB and 4GB is involved and it may utterly fail with a different combinations of 2GB and 4GB sticks on the same system.  You will probably have close to no chance to get that working if the 2GB and 4GB modules differ in (chip) density. 

I want to know if any of them tried this

Well, you will have a hard time finding a user who has actually tested this.  Regarding the fact that the optimum configuration for a triple channel system are either 3 identical or 6 identical sticks, not very many people would choose a two- or four-stick setup as this would decrease the ideal memory performance (you would only get dual channel out of that).  Even if you find a user that runs a 2GB-4GB-2GB-4GB configuration, the statement that actually works or that it doesn't work would be completely useless to you unless that user has the exact same CPU model AND is using the exact same memory modules as you are using or planning to use.

The bottom line is:  This is a try & error game.  There is really no general answer.