[kevinturcotte]

Are there any problems from mixing different speed RAM? I currently have Corsair CMG6GX3M3A1600C7 Dominator GT 6 GB 3 x 2 GB PC3-12800 1600MHz 240-Pin DDR3 Core i7 and Core i5 Memory Kit installed in my motherboard. Thinking about adding G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ to it for a total of 12GBs. Would there be any problems doing this?

 

[dpeters11]

Looks like they have different CAS latency, maybe slightly different voltage. It's not something I'd recommend, could at least lead to instability.

I'm assuming you're running a 64 bit OS?

Of course depending on what you're doing, there is a reduction in benefit of more RAM. I can't believe I'm actually saying that, there was a time I'd think that was crazy

 

[kevinturcotte]

Looks like they have different CAS latency, maybe slightly different voltage. It's not something I'd recommend, could at least lead to instability.

I'm assuming you're running a 64 bit OS?

Of course depending on what you're doing, there is a reduction in benefit of more RAM. I can't believe I'm actually saying that, there was a time I'd think that was crazy

64 bit Windows 7. 12 Gbs of RAM might actually be worse than 6 GBs of RAM (In this case)?!

 

[dpeters11]

Not worse, just a smaller gain than say going from 3 to 6. All depends on the programs used, etc.

Adding more than 3-3.5gb in a 32 bit OS, definitely issues.

 

[kevinturcotte]

Sometimes when I'm playing Skyrim, I get close to hitting my 6GB ceiling though. Thinking an extra 6GBs would help with that?

 

[RunnerFL]

Mixing speeds on RAM is never advisable however if you have to do it make sure you match your sets. Refer to your motherboard docs to see what DIMM slots go with each other. Some motherboards it will be slot 0,1 and 2 that go together and others it will be 0, 2, 4.

 

[dpeters11]

Sometimes when I'm playing Skyrim, I get close to hitting my 6GB ceiling though. Thinking an extra 6GBs would help with that?

I believe Skyrim can address up to 4gb of ram. This was added in a patch last year. Since its not a 64 bit app, it can't go higher.

 

[kevinturcotte]

I believe Skyrim can address up to 4gb of ram. This was added in a patch last year.

Yeah, but if something else is eating up my other 2GBs (Which is very likely), that could be what's leading to the slowdown?

 

[dpeters11]

True, though usually I make sure pretty much everything else is shut down so other things using memory are at the minimum.

I'm not saying don't do it, but set realistic expectations.