Question 1

I have a system with 2 - 4 GB sticks installed and I'd like to add two more to bring me up to 16GB of memory. I'm unable to find an exact match to my memories model number: F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM. This is the closest I can find. It looks like the timing difference is the only difference. Does anyone know if this will in fact be an issue? I know you're supposed to match ram exactly, but I'm unable to at this point. Just wondering if I can use these or if I have to swap everything out?

Accepted Answer

You want to make sure each stick has the same cas latency, timings and voltage. While you can tweak these settings in the BIOS to make the two sticks match, I don't know why you'd want to. You'd have to spend quite a bit of time messing around with it all and probably underclock at least one of your DIMMs in the process — and there's no guarantee it would work even then. Really, it's a lot more trouble than its worth.

Mixing RAM speed, however, is a slightly different matter. In theory, if you had to, you could mix, say, this Patriot model (DDR3 1333) with this Corsair model (DDR3 1600), since they have the same cas latency, timings and recommended voltage. Your motherboard would probably just automatically underclock the faster one and you wouldn't run into any problems. Thus, it's possible, but note that when you start mixing speeds, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so to speak. Your RAM will only run at the speed of the slowest DIMM, unless you wanted to overclock the others.

None of this necessarily guarantees functioning RAM, of course — you may be greeted with the Blue Screen of Death if your DIMMs just don't like each other (or your motherboard doesn't like one of the DIMMs). Most of the time, though, your computer will run fine if you mix different brands, sizes and speeds. If you're just doing it to cobble together a second PC from old parts and don't want to spend any money, that's fine — but if you're adding RAM to your current computer, I'd recommend getting the exact same type of RAM you already have installed. Memory is cheap enough nowadays that you're probably better off just buying some new DIMMs and calling it a day — that's the only way you're going to get the best performance out of your PC.

Question 2

i have a dell inspirion 3560 it say DDR3 PC3-12800 • CL=11 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1600 • 1.35V • 256Meg x 64 is this g.skill compatible?

Accepted Answer

Yes

Brand	G.SKILL
Series	Ripjaws X Series
Model	F3-12800CL9D-8GBXM

Capacity	8GB (2 x 4GB)
Speed	DDR3L 1600 (PC3L 12800)
CAS Latency	CL9
Timing	9-9-9-24
Voltage	1.35V
ECC	No
Buffered/Registered	Unbuffered
Multi-channel Kit	Dual Channel Kit
Heat Spreader	Yes
Features	Compatible with Intel LGA1155/LGA1156 and AMD AM3/Llano/AM3+ platforms Intel XMP support for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Generation Intel Core Processors

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3L 1600 (PC3L 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXM

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Item#: N82E16820231477