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Dual channel with 2x2GB RAM & 2x4GB RAM?

Forum Index > Tech Support
Post a Reply
hanjustin
Profile Joined May 2011
49 Posts
November 28 2013 11:18 GMT
#1
I am currently using

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=TmomilgEEeOkX85lAEKLqQ00p9_iyYp3_0_0_0&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16820231277&Tpk=GSKILL F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL&cm_sp=

I am thinking to buy

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=ch9E1lgHEeOUvLrDV8mQ4w00p9_0NTp3_0_0_0&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16820231416&cm_sp=

People usually dont recommend to mixmatch different RAMs but I think these two are from same company and same timing, so I think they should work fine?

Also, if I buy the new RAM and use with the old RAM, will I be having 2 dual channel (one dual channel from 2GB pairs, and one dual channel from 4GB pairs) or no dual channel at all?
Ropid
Profile Joined March 2009
Germany3557 Posts
November 28 2013 12:33 GMT
#2
There's only two channels. You have two slots per channel. I'd try mixing the two kits in each channel so you have 2+4GB in each.

I don't know what happens if you put 2+2GB in one channel and 4+4GB in the other. The CPU might run dual channel for the first 8GB, then use single channel to access the rest of the 12GB?

If it does not work at first, try to rearrange the sticks so that the board sees a different stick first (I mean: 2+4+2+4 --> 4+2+4+2). Saved on a chip on the sticks, usually not mentioned anywhere in the documentation, there's a secondary set of timings beside those first four. That's why swapping positions might help.

If your board is a bit like mine, it will also try to tweak a third set of timings when booting, and there's a BIOS option somewhere to disable that.
"My goal is to replace my soul with coffee and become immortal."
JerseyDevil
Profile Joined April 2011
Australia78 Posts
November 28 2013 12:42 GMT
#3
It's really hard to say what the board will want to do, but i'd recommend if you HAVE to go that route, putting them in a 2+4, 2+4 configuration, that way both channels are "equal". But my honest advice is to just run the 8Gb. It should be plenty.

There's a pretty high chance you'll end up in single channel territory too, which is a complete waste of time.
Dghelneshi
Profile Joined January 2013
Germany82 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-11-28 14:18:41
November 28 2013 14:06 GMT
#4
If two sticks of different sizes operate on the same "channel" the bigger stick will be split between dual and single channel mode. E.g. 2+4GB in one channel would mean the lower half of the 4GB stick would be accessed in dual channel mode, the upper half in single channel. When 2x2 and 2x4 are put in the appropriate slots, everything will run in dual channel mode. Documentation see here.

Mixing different sizes (let alone types) of RAM can always result in problems. Usually these should be fixable by numerous BIOS settings and/or reordering the sticks, but in my experience it's never guaranteed without problems (e.g. half of your RAM being "reserved for hardware", never being used). It can even depend on the amount and density of the chips and if the RAM has them on one or on both sides.
Djzapz
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Canada10681 Posts
November 28 2013 14:34 GMT
#5
I'd dump the 2x2 and run 2x4 to avoid potential problems. 8gb is sufficient for a vast majority of tasks.
"My incompetence with power tools had been increasing exponentially over the course of 20 years spent inhaling experimental oven cleaners"
Rollin
Profile Joined March 2011
Australia1552 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-11-28 16:53:33
November 28 2013 16:52 GMT
#6
You won't be able to use dual channel with different ram sizes. There is no issue with running different RAM speeds/timings/brands for virtually every case (but you will be stuck at the lowest speed/highest latency), if you happen to have some strange incompatibility for whatever reason (extremely unlikely, more likely the new ram is just fucked) just RMA it.
Throw off those chains of reason, and your prison disappears. | Check your posting frequency timeline: http://www.teamliquid.net/mytlnet/post_activity_img.php
hanjustin
Profile Joined May 2011
49 Posts
November 29 2013 14:18 GMT
#7
I will try what Dghelneshi have mentioned, if it doesnt work well I guess I'll just only use 2x4GB RAM.

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