Can I install RAM with different capacity?

Most laptops or computers come with at least two slots for RAM sticks, if not more. Most modern motherboards will provide four RAM slots. There's a prevailing misconception you cannot use different RAM sizes together or that you cannot mix RAM brands. Simply put, that's not true.

Is it OK to mix different RAM speeds?

You can use memory modules of different speeds as long as they are faster than those specified for your computer. It is recommended to use modules of the same speed as those already installed in your system. If you do mix speeds, the modules will all run at the speed of your slowest modules.

Can you mix 8GB and 4GB RAM?

Yes, you can use 8GB RAM with 4GB RAM.

Can you mix DDR3 and DDR4 RAM?

Every DDR generation is different from the others. DDR4 is not backward-compatible with DDR3 so a DDR4 DIMM will not fit on a DDR3 DIMM slot. Not only is the key notch of each DDR generation different (please refer to Figure 1 above), but the DDR4 pin size and arrangement is different from DDR3.

Does my RAM need to match?

A common misconception about RAM is that you can put any RAM into any slot. You can do that, but it won't work, or it will work ineffectively. If you have four RAM slots, always buy matched pairs of RAM (two sticks from the same company, same speed, and same capacity) for the best results.

Just How Bad is Mixing Memory?

Is it bad to have mismatched RAM?

Mismatched sizes of RAM sticks can affect memory configuration. A larger RAM module paired with a smaller one causes asynchronous operation. You may know this as Flex Mode. It can cause the smaller RAM to pair with only half of the bigger RAM module.

Is 32 GB RAM overkill?

32GB of RAM is considered high and is generally overkill for most users. For most everyday use and basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 8GB of RAM is more than enough. Even for gaming or video editing, 16GB is typically sufficient.

Can I use 1333MHz and 1600MHz RAM together?

Yes, you can mix 1333 and 1600 MHz RAM sticks, however the system will downclock all RAM to the speed of the slowest stick.

What happens if you put DDR3 in a DDR4 slot?

In addition to this, DDR3 requires 1.5 V for normal operation and 1.35 V in power saving mode whereas DDR4 RAM requires only 1.2 V so even if you could fit DDR3 RAM in a DDR4 slot, it would not work since the motherboard would fail to provide the required voltage.

Can I use 2400 and 3200 RAM together?

As long as RAM can respond at least as fast as the CPU needs it to, there's no problem. And if it can respond to 3200 MHz, it can certainly respond to 2400 MHz.

How do I know what RAM is compatible with my computer?

The easiest way to find what RAM is compatible with your motherboard is by checking your motherboard's Memory QVL list. As you browse for your motherboard's RAM specifications on the manufacturer's website, look for a page or section called “Memory QVL” or “RAM support list”.

Is 16GB RAM enough?

16GB is the recommended amount of RAM for playing most games and will provide a noticeable increase in performance from 8GB. You will also be able to run applications in the background without affecting gameplay.

Can you mix DDR4 and DDR5 RAM?

Motherboards are built to support only one type of memory, so you can't mix and match SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, or DDR5 memory on the same motherboard.

What happens if you put 2 different RAM in your computer?

Having two different voltage requirements will cause the more power-demanding RAM unit to be given less voltage than what is necessary to keep it functioning at its full potential. This does not mean the RAM module will not operate, but rather that it may not do so at its peak frequency and stability.

What happens if you mix RAM sizes?

Busting RAM Myths One at a Time

You can do a lot with RAM: mismatched sticks, different speeds, different sizes, and so on. For the most part, you'll just end up with a slower computer. Still, it is always best to match your RAM sticks.

How do I mix and match RAM?

Speed, Latency, & Voltage

While you can technically mix speeds, there is one important thing to note: your DRAM would all run at the speed of the slowest module. For example, if you have a DDR3 1333MHz system and install a second module at 1600MHz, they would both run at the 1333MHz speed.

Is it worth upgrading from DDR3 to DDR4?

Upgrading from DDR3 to DDR4 will not only cost you the price of the RAM, but the motherboard and (most likely) the CPU as well. If your CPU is fast enough, your computer will be fast enough. If the CPU isn't fast enough, DDR4 RAM won't make it so. You can't just upgrade the RAM.

Can I run DDR3 RAM on a DDR4 motherboard?

As DDR4 will only work in DDR4 compatible motherboards and DDR3 will only fit in DDR3 compatible motherboards. The speed is backward compatible but will need the motherboard to be compatible.

Can I mix 2666mhz and 3200mhz RAM?

Yes you can, but then your other ram which is 3200 Mhz will slow itself down to 2666 Mhz to stay in sync with your slower RAM. It will affect your overall system performance minimally but you will have more RAM.

Can I mix 2gb DDR3 1333 RAM with 4gb DDR3 1600 RAM?

Yes you will be fine, you can mix them. If you have a good average motherboard it will run both sticks at 1333MHz in Single-Channel Mode with the more relaxed timings.

Are all DDR3 RAM compatible?

One thing to keep in mind is that memory needs to be the same type - memory modules are not forward or backward compatible in terms of generation types so DDR3 will not work in DDR2 or DDR4.

Is 1 TB RAM overkill?

With 1TB of RAM, you could buffer dozens or even hundreds of videos (on YouTube, Vimeo, DailyMotion, and other sites) ahead of time to play at your leisure. Normally this is a bad idea, because loading data from virtual RAM to physical RAM is slow. But if you have 1TB of RAM, this won't ever be a problem for you.

Will doubling my RAM make my computer faster?

Generally, the more RAM your computer has, the larger the digital countertop you have to work on and the faster your programs will run. If your computer is running slowly due to a lack of RAM, you might be tempted to increase virtual memory because it is less expensive.

Is 64GB RAM too much for gaming?

For gamers, 64GB is certainly overkill: 16GB will be fine for new title releases in the near future. It's what else is on your PC hoovering up the memory that might require it. Browsers can eat up several gigs, particularly if you have a bunch of tabs open and extensions loaded.