Ram Question

TheRedScot · 13 Oct 2011 at 02:03

i recenlty done my first build and bought this Ram

Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9)

after about two weeks 1 of my ram sticks broke(gave me bsods) after fonding out the problem by means of elimination, so my pc has been running on 1 4 gb stick until now, yesterday i ordered the same ram 2x 4gb xms3,
was just wondering if ill be able to use the three sticks so i could have 12 gb or do i have to stick to dual channel(8gb), my motherboard is an asrock extreme 4 gen 3, thanks for any help

Surveyor · 13 Oct 2011 at 03:41

Using 3 sticks will mess up the dual channel operation.

I'm never sure whether you'll end up with 2 sticks in dual channel and 1 stick in single channel or if all 3 sticks end up in single channel mode. Either way it's not ideal.

When you've got the new RAM you should return the first kit with a faulty stick and either get a refund or a replacement and then use 4 sticks in dual channel mode.

TheRedScot · 13 Oct 2011 at 03:44

Thanks

mp260767 · 13 Oct 2011 at 07:58

go with the 12gb if you have it, i've run single and dual channel in the past and never really noticed any obvious difference.

Surveyor · 13 Oct 2011 at 08:25

mp260767 said:
go with the 12gb if you have it, i've run single and dual channel in the past and never really noticed any obvious difference.

Do you honestly believe that's the best solution?

The OP has a stick of faulty RAM.

They can get a refund and use 8GB or get it replaced and use 16GB.

Both running dual channel properly.

mp260767 · 13 Oct 2011 at 09:10

Surveyor said:
Do you honestly believe that's the best solution?

The OP has a stick of faulty RAM.

They can get a refund and use 8GB or get it replaced and use 16GB.

Both running dual channel properly.

his question was whether he should use 8gb or 12gb not whether he should rma the faulty memory , so yes i do, could be he wanted to use it while he waited on rma details.

i didn't say don't rma the faulty memory.

Surveyor · 13 Oct 2011 at 09:32

mp260767 said:
his question was whether he should use 8gb or 12gb not whether he should rma the faulty memory , so yes i do, could be he wanted to use it while he waited on rma details.

i didn't say don't rma the faulty memory.

And you didn't recommend they should RMA it either.

There's no point in using the third stick.

As soon as the OP receives the new RAM the old RAM needs to be sent back. Both sticks of it.