Question about Ram Brand Mixing (6)

1 Name: TankFank : 2007-09-11 08:55 ID:GGsCVTuP

Ok I am pretty much am new to the whole Ram scene, and I'm wondering if I could combine 2 Ram of the same type but different manufacturer each.

Here's the Ram:

512mb Kingston HyperX PC3200 CL2 184-Pin DIMM 400Hz
Model: KHX3200A/512R

1gb Patriot PC3200 CL3 184-Pin DIMM 400Hz
Model: PSD1G400H

Thanks!

2 Name: 4n0n4ym0u5 h4xx0r : 2007-09-11 10:57 ID:BYjCK2rh

quite possible you can, however since you are using 2 different sizes you will either a) only have the use of 1 GB in dual channel or b) 1.5GB in single channel (depends on your motherboard and how you place them in the memory banks). Keep in mind there's never a guarantee that vendor mixing will produce good results.

3 Name: TankFank : 2007-09-11 14:24 ID:GGsCVTuP

Ok! Thanks for the info!

4 Name: 4n0n4ym0u5 h4xx0r : 2007-09-13 05:34 ID:lStZotra

Always check your motherboard manual to see what configurations of size/speed/channel are supported. It saves you a lot of money and time, believe me.

As for me, my Kingston and Corsair dimms seem to get along fine, although each occupy their own channel (I have four 512mb dimms in dual channel).

5 Name: 4n0n4ym0u5 h4xx0r : 2007-10-21 10:07 ID:ouvwd19D

As long as your not mixing data rate, voltage, model (PC4200 and PC5200 [pulled them out as an example]), contact metals and a few other no-brainers, you'll be fine. Most manufactures are part of JEDEC and adhere to in-house and JEDEC standards (which are free to view after a member wall) which means that most ram are interoperable with each other. Granted, if you mix the performance may take a slight hit (tolerances, design spec, testing, etc), but the world won't end. The common makers (kingston, micron, patriot, muskin, corsair) usually pair up pretty well together seeing how there's only so many ways to screw up PC3200 ram and still be able to (legally) sell it. If you are a bit twitchy though, look at the pretty numbers tattooed on the chip. Plug them into google and should get manufacturer datasheets stating tolerances and such - so you can do your own checking of tolerances (be patient though)

I've been mixing ram with abandon, nothing has blown up/melted down/stopped working/killed me yet, I'll let you know if it does though.

6 Name: 4n0n4ym0u5 h4xx0r : 2007-10-24 03:20 ID:yZX++LO0

> I've been mixing ram with abandon, nothing has blown up/melted down/stopped working/killed me yet,

Same here and don't believe the underhanded ads by memory sellers or online (mis)advisors by Kingston who try and trick you into paying more for 'Premium' RAM with warnings not to buy other brands. Always check the specs but I've never had a problem either.

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