RAM compatibility confusion

[Inazuma]

Hi there,
I bought this RAM thinking it matched my current memory sticks. In CPU-Z they read as 9-9-9-24 (as shown here http://tinypic.com/r/o6ic7l/8), same as the new set. But when I opened my case and inspected the sticks, the label actually said 10-10-10-27, as pictured here http://tinypic.com/r/mju6iv/8

What is going on here? Are my old sticks and new sticks compatible or no?

PS. My motherboard is a Gigabyte Z68AP-D3

 

[David Bisset]

The CPU-Z screenshot reveals you're currently running your RAM at 1333MHz not 1600MHz (presumably never set XMP) which will be why your timings are tighter. The new RAM is faster as it can hit those timings while at the higher frequency.

You can use both sets of sticks together, although you'll have to run at the speed of the slower set (up to you if you run 1333MHz with 9-9-9-24 timings or 1600MHz with 10-10-10-27 timings) - I'd imagine that you'll need to set the speeds/timings yourself though as XMP presumably won't work.

 

[Inazuma]

The CPU-Z screenshot reveals you're currently running your RAM at 1333MHz not 1600MHz (presumably never set XMP) which will be why your timings are tighter. The new RAM is faster as it can hit those timings while at the higher frequency.

You can use both sets of sticks together, although you'll have to run at the speed of the slower set (up to you if you run 1333MHz with 9-9-9-24 timings or 1600MHz with 10-10-10-27 timings) - I'd imagine that you'll need to set the speeds/timings yourself though as XMP presumably won't work.

Thanks for the info

How much of a real world difference will I see between 1333 and 1600 Mhz?

What is XMP?

Will I be able to set the new sticks to 10-10-10-27? What are the benefits/drawbacks?

 

[David Bisset]

XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile I think) is a way of automatically configuring some frequency, timing and voltage settings. Not all RAM supports it but it's quite common - the Corsair stuff you linked certainly supports it, no idea about your original RAM. The motherboard also needs to support it, which google tells me yours does.

Going from 1333MHz at 9-9-9-24 to 1600MHz at 10-10-10-27 won't make a massive difference, but it will be faster.

You can set the new sticks to the slower timings, can't say I know that particular motherboard so no idea where the settings are in the bios, maybe someone else can help with that part. You can probably just plug them all in and have it work at slow speeds in the meantime.

 

[Inazuma]

The old sticks are Mushkin Enhanced Blackline and a quick google seems to suggest they are XMP-ready. I will stick them in tonight. Only problem is I would have to remove my CPU fan first and then reseat it. I wonder if my 3 year old thermal paste will still work..