DDR3 - Upgrade

[neewhom]

Hey,

I bought my PC quite a while ago now from PC Specialists and i'm looking to upgrade my RAM - Currently i have 6GB KINGSTON HYPER-X T1 TRI-DDR3 2000MHz, X.M.P (3 x 2GB KIT)

Looking at the ones i'm after they only come in modules of 2 and i though since i'm using tri-ddr3 that my motherboard would only accept it with a minimum of 3 modules.

Is there any reason why i'd have a problem upgrading to Kingston HyperX Beast 16GB 2X8GB Dual Channel DDR3 2400MHz ?

Thanks.

 

[vanthus]

Have a look at "Memory Configurations" in the motherboard user guide.

 

[neewhom]

Don't have that handy but checked the specs online for : P6X58D-E

Memory
6 x DIMM, Max. 24GB, DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 Hz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Triple Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
* Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).

Doesn't look promising, does that mean i'm correct and i can only use tri-channel? - Also noticed it looks like anything over 2000mhz OC wouldn't be compatible, is that correct?

 

[mantadog]

Yeah it will only run memory at a maximum clock of 2000Mhz so buying the 2400Mhz stuff will just mean you end up running it at 2000Mhz. it will work, just means you will haver to set it to 2000mHz max.

No issues exist meaning you will not be able to run in dual channel mode, or even single channel mode. Running in single channel mode is not really a disaster as it makes very little difference. So worst case scenario you will have 2 8Gb stick running in single channel.

But if you do it properly they will run in dual channel quite happily. According to the manual for that board you need to use slots A1 and B1 for dual channel to work, any other combo will just result in you running single channel.

From the manual

A*: Supports two (2) modules inserted into slot A1 and B1 as one pair of Dual-channel memory configuration

 

[vanthus]

Don't have that handy but checked the specs online for : P6X58D-E

Memory
6 x DIMM, Max. 24GB, DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 Hz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory
Triple Channel Memory Architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.
* Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).

Doesn't look promising, does that mean i'm correct and i can only use tri-channel? - Also noticed it looks like anything over 2000mhz OC wouldn't be compatible, is that correct?

I believe you can still install a pair of modules and the system will still run the memory in dual channel architecture or at least single channel,doesn't really make any noticeable difference with DDR3 anyway,but you would need to check if the motherboard supports 8GB modules,you may need to download the latest QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists) to check this,if it lists 8GB modules it might be necessary to update the bios for the 8GB modules but I'm not sure about that.
As you say,It doesn't look like your motherboard supports 2400MHz.

 

[Kuniva]

I've had 2 builds with 2 different amounts of memory in it. 1st was back with my P4 it had a 64mb Ram stick and a 256mb stick, can't tell you latencies clocks or even if it were DDR it was so long ago, next I've had a 8GB and a 4GB with same clock I believe and probably same latencies, can't even remember, but my point is you could upgrade with an 8GB stick of Kingston, just be sure to fit the higher 8GB in the 1st slot, they are usually numbered a1 b1 a2 b2, not that it will make much of a difference either way.

 

[neewhom]

Thanks for all the help chaps.

Based on what you said Kuniva

I've had a 8GB and a 4GB with same clock

Does this mean i can try to find an 8gb stick of kingston at 2000mhz and keep the other 3 sticks, basically run all 4 in single or dual channel?

Also i'm assuming due to the overclocking settings having the voltages altered i would have to remove those settings for it to work with the new setup?

 

[Kuniva]

Yes it should work just fine, especially if they are all the same clock and latencies. Download CPU-z and make sure they are all running dual channel, bad case scenario is you could have 4 sticks in single channel or something. Just put the higher 8gb stick in the slot that says a1 or something, usually the 1 closest to the CPU.

 

[neewhom]

Ahh, i was hoping it wouldn't be that one! My CPU cooling fan covers it. Looks like i'll need to replace that!

Thanks for help!

 

[Kuniva]

Ahh, i was hoping it wouldn't be that one! My CPU cooling fan covers it. Looks like i'll need to replace that!

Thanks for help!

Actually somethings ringing alarm bells, 3 sticks usually means triple channel ram if I'm not mistaken, and I'm sure they all have to be the same capacity, but I'll look into this for you.

Right, it seems you will lose your triple channel and it will switch to dual channel, no biggy, at worst single channel, still no biggy. You won't break anything so no worries there. The worst that will happen is POST won't like it. Unfortunately I don't know much about triple channel as I've never used it, I'm not sure if it switches automatically which I presume it does or if there's BIOS settings for it, what motherboard do you have?

Heh I just read you said you're using tri, my bad ^