Possible to combine DDR3 sticks of various values?

Solnyshko

Solnyshko

Solnyshko

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Joined
11 Dec 2003
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599
Location
London
Been a long time since I dabbled in self build, so hopelessly out of touch. I know it used to be an issue but is it possible to combine memory sticks of various values?

If so, is it feasible to install a 4 or 8GB module alongside the existing pair of 2GB sticks? I seem to recall mixing variable capacities was not a good idea.

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4 DDR3 DIMM slots, 2 available

Junk the existing configuration and start anew, or is it unnecessary to balance banks?

Any help appreciated :)
 
It works, it's not optimal, but it will work. It's necessary from a performance perspective to have them balanced, but if more RAM is the more important requirement then then it shouldn't be an issue.
 
Hmmm... I'm looking for an inexpensive performance boost running an (aging) system built around photo post processing needs.

As I'm not gaming on this rig, will it be an issue? Perhaps performance still an issue, running Photoshop & Lightroom....?
 
Nope, if you just need more RAM to cope better with Photoshop then any performance difference mixed RAM affects won't be noticeable.
 
I used to run 2*2GB and 2*4GB sticks together for 12GB total without any issue. They were different brand, different voltage, different timings but I just manually set them to be in line.
 
It's 99% chances that such set will work together, leave just 1% for "something wrong" that motherboard wouldn't cope with.

It's why people do buy second same sticks set, for make sure it would work. Speed and timings is less important factor.
 
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