Will this stick of RAM work with what I already have

[smush]

I currently have this RAM installed: http://www.amazon.co.uk/OCZ-OCZ3G160.../dp/B001IT4BWA

And would like to add this to it: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/4gb-c...-9-24-xmp-165v

Will they work together ok (CAS times, Voltages, etc) ?

[kalniel]

There's no reason for them not to, as long as you set to the slowest common denominator and your memory controller is suitably juiced. It sometimes helps to balance out the channels, so if you're dual channelling, make sure you have one of the old and one of the new in each channel.

[smush]

well my current ram is triple channel 1600MHz 1.65v CL 8 and the stick of ram I want to get is the same except CL 9. does the CL need to be the same?

[kalniel]

well my current ram is triple channel 1600MHz 1.65v CL 8 and the stick of ram I want to get is the same except CL 9. does the CL need to be the same?

No, just run it all at the slowest speed (CL9). If you're only getting one stick then I presume you're moving to dual channel (first channel = two old sticks, second channel = one old, one new). This is less than ideal because the channels are then different, so you might need to relax timings/speed even more.

If you're buying two new sticks for dual channel then run one old, one new, in each channel to balance them.

If you're buying three sticks, run triple channel with each channel containing one old + one new.

[smush]

Well I thought my 3 old stick would continue in triple channel and the new stick would just be on its own?

[kalniel]

Well I thought my 3 old stick would continue in triple channel and the new stick would just be on its own?

On what channel? There are three channels to your CPU (presuming we're talking Nahalem type CPU here). You can choose to use one, two or three channels to connect to your RAM, but you should ideally ensure that if you're splitting across channels you make them balanced.

[smush]

I meant I thought my current RAM which is in triple channel would remain as triple channel and the new one stick of RAM I add will be on its own channel as that is what my mobo manual seems to suggest https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4S...ew?usp=sharing

Another forum I read said mixing ram (even same voltages) is a 50/50 gamble!

I thought the whole idea behind owning a PC over a console is that it can be upgraded but when you want to upgrade your RAM a few GBs you have to buy a whole new kit to avoid compatibility issues which makes it rather expensive. Same is often the case with CPU and having to buy a new motherboard.

[scaryjim]

Your CPU only has 3 memory channels. If you buy one new stick of RAM, two channels with run with 1 stick each and one will run with 2 sticks. This isn't ideal as the memory will be unbalanced on each channel (although modern memory controllers are much better at handling this kind of situation).

if you want to add more memory to your existing computer, I'd strongly suggest getting a new three channel kit so each channel is balanced in terms of memory capacity - you're much less likely to have any issues that way.

EDIT: something like this would be a better choice: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/6gb-(...-9-9-9-24-165v

[smush]

Your CPU only has 3 memory channels. If you buy one new stick of RAM, two channels with run with 1 stick each and one will run with 2 sticks. This isn't ideal as the memory will be unbalanced on each channel (although modern memory controllers are much better at handling this kind of situation).

if you want to add more memory to your existing computer, I'd strongly suggest getting a new three channel kit so each channel is balanced in terms of memory capacity - you're much less likely to have any issues that way.

EDIT: something like this would be a better choice: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/6gb-(...-9-9-9-24-165v

So I can't have triple and single channels at the same time?
That triple channel kit you linked to do you mean adding it to my OCZ kit to make 12gb? or replacing my current ones?

[kalniel]

So I can't have triple and single channels at the same time?

That would be four channels. You only have three on that motherboard.

That triple channel kit you linked to do you mean adding it to my OCZ kit to make 12gb? or replacing my current ones?

Either.

[scaryjim]

That triple channel kit you linked to do you mean adding it to my OCZ kit to make 12gb? or replacing my current ones?

If the point is to get more memory, add it to your existing kit - so you'll have 6 sticks, with two on each channel. Make sure you use one old stick and one new stick in each channel. Alternatively, you could buy a new (or second hand) 12GB kit (3x 4GB) and replace your existing RAM (which you could then sell to recoup some of the cost).

If you desperately want to save money, then the cheapest option would be to get a single 2GB stick, then run the memory in dual channel mode - i.e. fill up the four slots that comprise channels 1 and 2, leaving the slots for channel 3 empty. While that will have less bandwidth, you won't notice the difference in real world applications and it will give you 8GB across 2 channels, with 4GB in each, which should be more reliable.

Essentially, you're looking to have the same number of sticks and amount of RAM in each channel: how you go about that is really up to you.

[smush]

If you desperately want to save money, then the cheapest option would be to get a single 2GB stick, then run the memory in dual channel mode - i.e. fill up the four slots that comprise channels 1 and 2, leaving the slots for channel 3 empty. While that will have less bandwidth, you won't notice the difference in real world applications and it will give you 8GB across 2 channels, with 4GB in each, which should be more reliable.

Well my plan is to build an entire new PC when Skylake and DDR4 motherboards come out but I want to play games in the meantime but my 1gb ATI HD5870 isn't going to cut it anymore with 6GB system RAM. When Skylake does arrive I'll be putting the 970 in the new build and using my current PC for general day to day tasks as the new build will be mATX and mostly reside in my lounge. so spending a lot on RAM isn't ideal as once I stop using this PC for gaming 6GB would have been plenty so I didn't really want to go overboard on adding RAM that will end up being useless. My ideal would be to add 2-4gb in one stick which you mention (although I guess I should keep the same capacity across all sticks?) but isn't that a bad idea as my whole thread was asking if mixing RAM is bad an most people say not to mix but from what you say you don't emphasise it being a bad idea as much which makes me think people are being overly cautious?

[scaryjim]

... my 1gb ATI HD5870 isn't going to cut it anymore with 6GB system RAM. ...

Your 5870 isn't going to cut it with any amount of system RAM. That's your bottleneck. Upgrade your GPU, leave your RAM alone. Overclock your CPU, if you haven't already.

6GB of RAM is plenty for a gaming build. Any new RAM you get now is going to be a compromise of some sort, and is basically just throwing money away.

[smush]

But the games that are out now or coming out in the next few months require a min 6gb ram with 8gb being recommended. If I am to add RAM are these my choices?

A) Get one stick but must be 2GB, 1.65V and 1600MHz (cheapest option)
B) Get another 6GB triple channel kit must be 3x2GB, 1.65V and 1600MHz

[scaryjim]

Game devs are getting really lazy if they're pushing 6GB of RAM as a minimum spec.

Are you upgrading your GPU now as well? If so, then I absolutely would not buy any new memory until I encountered a game that wouldn't run. Buying memory based on back-of-the-box system requirements is a mug's game, and devs will tend to overspec as they don't know what OS, hardware, or other programs you'll be trying to run at the same time as your game.

If you do decide to go for more memory, then I would strongly recommend one of the two options you outline above. But it would be the absolute last thing I'd look to upgrade, given you're planning a complete rebuild in the near future.

[kalniel]

Well 3x1Gb and 3x4gb are options as well, and you can also get higher rated ram and just run it at 1600, but as above, I really wouldn't bother upgrading the RAM unless you know it's the limiting factor.