Ram Sticks

[storm913]

Hi, my CPU is using 4 gb of DDR3 ram right now and i am thinking of adding another 4gb of ram, but do i need to buy a specific model or brand so there will be no issue for them to run together?? Currently using DDR3 2 x 2gb sticks. Thanks !

 

[ryuxdragonx]

Hi, my CPU is using 4 gb of DDR3 ram right now and i am thinking of adding another 4gb of ram, but do i need to buy a specific model or brand so there will be no issue for them to run together?? Currently using DDR3 2 x 2gb sticks. Thanks !

First make sure you have 2 more ram slots.

Ram sticks can mix brand no problem. You need to really match the the frequency. For eg, assuming that your DDR3 2gb x 2 are running 1600mhz, you need to buy ram sticks that run in 1600mhz. You cna even mix the speed. You just need to install in matching slots.

What this means is that you have the option to install 2 more 1gb, 2gb, 4gb or even 8gb 1600mhz ram sticks as long as you install in the right slot and there won't be stability issues.

I'm running 2x2gb 1600mhz (idk what brand) and 2x4gb 1066mhz in my iMac in the right slots, giving me 12gb of ram in total and I never had any stability issues in the past 3 months or so.

All the best

 

[storm913]

Thanks for the reply! However i am still kinda confuse, is frequency and speed the same thing? you mention that i will need to match the frequency but can mix the speed. Is 1600mhz the speed?? If so, how do i check the frequency?? Thanks !!

 

[EatSnakeWarrior]

Thanks for the reply! However i am still kinda confuse, is frequency and speed the same thing? you mention that i will need to match the frequency but can mix the speed. Is 1600mhz the speed?? If so, how do i check the frequency?? Thanks !!

you could check your ram speeds through your BIOS

if you dont know how,

download, CPU-Z
CPU-Z CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting

you see DRAM frequency? multiply that by 2 and you will get your speed
eg. mine is 666.5 so my rams are 1333mhz


if anyone has a faster way plz share haha

 

[storm913]

Hi, thanks for your input, i downloaded and realise mine is same frequency as yours. I think i will purchase a 4gb Kingston (same brand as current) 1333mhz ram to add into my comp at the IT Show tomorrow, thanks

 

[ryuxdragonx]

For ram, no need go all the way down to Sitex. They aren't offering much price diff anyway.

Make sure you buy 2x2gb and not 1x4gb because it would cause instability issues.

Cheers!