RAM Buying Problem

Madg26 · Jul 6, 2023

Hey guys wanted to ask question regarding RAM.
I have an AMD CPU powered gaming laptop and want to increase RAM capacity but have a bit of dilemma.. should I buy RAM kit or 2 identical RAM sticks?

Dru2 · Jul 6, 2023

A kit is just basically two identical sticks. If you need a pair, a kit would be better. There's also pricing - which is cheaper?

bobkn · Jul 6, 2023

I'm not sure what you mean by "kit".

If you really have a single 8GB SODIMM, the least expensive option would be to add a second one of the same size and type. That would take you to 16GB, and dual-channel operation.

There is some potential for a mismatch. I might try Crucial, if you live in a market they serve. (You'd want to use the full model of the Nitro AN515-45.) They guarantee compatibility.

If you wished to max out the laptop, buy 2X16GB and replace the existing SODIMM.

Dru2 · Jul 6, 2023

Yes... there are RAM kits (as in two or more identical modules sold as a kit) as exampled...

Best RAM for Gaming: DDR4, DDR5 Kits for 2024

We've tested the best RAM for gaming and other tasks, including video editing and graphics-heavy applications.

www.tomshardware.com

abactuon · Jul 6, 2023

Crucial sodimm ddr4 8gb 3200

PerpetualCycle · Jul 6, 2023

Kit. They will be sequentially manufactured with same component parts and logic so will be better matched.

bobkn · Jul 6, 2023

Dru2 said:
Yes... there are RAM kits (as in two or more identical modules sold as a kit) as exampled...

Best RAM for Gaming: DDR4, DDR5 Kits for 2024

We've tested the best RAM for gaming and other tasks, including video editing and graphics-heavy applications.

www.tomshardware.com

Right.

It didn't occur to me that anyone would buy a pair of DIMMs that weren't part of a "kit". Two individually priced DIMMs would typically cost more.

On the link I provided, a single 8GB SODIMM is about $18US. A 16GB "kit" (2X8) is $30.

zbook · Jul 6, 2023

One or more of these links may be useful:

Crucial System Scanner | Memory Upgrade Scanner | Crucial

Upgrade your system storage with our range of solid state drives. Find prices, specs and customer reviews to help choose the best device for you.

www.crucial.com

Get memory configuration:

https://www.tenforums.com/attachments/bsod-crashes-debugging/317051d1612150787-batch-files-use-bsod-debugging-getmemoryconfiguration.bat

Batch files for use in BSOD debugging - Windows 10 Help Forums

Information This thread is for use by the BSOD team to store batch files that can be used to collect additional data, fix settings or anything else that is useful in debugging BSOD problems in Windows 10. The way I see it working is the first

www.tenforums.com

Batch files for use in BSOD debugging - Windows 10 Help Forums

Information This thread is for use by the BSOD team to store batch files that can be used to collect additional data, fix settings or anything else that is useful in debugging BSOD problems in Windows 10. The way I see it working is the first

www.tenforums.com

JAM83 · Jul 9, 2023

Madg26 said:
Hey guys wanted to ask question regarding RAM.
I have an AMD CPU powered gaming laptop and want to increase RAM capacity but have a bit of dilemma.. should I buy RAM kit or 2 identical RAM sticks?

If you buy a kit, it's gonna have the identical ones. . You never want to mix RAM. That can cause issues :)

bobkn · Jul 9, 2023

JAM83 said:
If you buy a kit, it's gonna have the identical ones. . You never want to mix RAM. That can cause issues :)

I've done it, but not recently.

I had to manually adjust some RAM timings in the BIOS to make it work.

Not something I'd suggest for a laptop, given the possible limits on BIOS settings for one.

JAM83 · Jul 9, 2023

bobkn said:
I've done it, but not recently.

I had to manually adjust some RAM timings in the BIOS to make it work.

Not something I'd suggest for a laptop, given the possible limits on BIOS settings for one.

Yeah I agree with you there.

Dru2 · Jul 9, 2023

JAM83 said:
If you buy a kit, it's gonna have the identical ones. . You never want to mix RAM. That can cause issues :)

The biggest suggestion I can give is "if" you mix RAM (not suggested), at least keep the voltage the same as overvolting RAM can shorten its lifespan while undervolting can cause performance issues.

Good luck.

JAM83 · Jul 9, 2023

Dru2 said:
The biggest suggestion I can give is "if" you mix RAM (not suggested), at least keep the voltage the same as overvolting RAM can shorten its lifespan while undervolting can cause performance issues.

Good luck.

Why Good Luck? I'm not the OP for this thread. . hehehe

Madg26 · Jul 9, 2023

Hey guys sorry for late reply at this question thread.
The Crucial Scanner is not working in Edge, Chrome and Firefox. I don't know what happened to this tool lately but it worked fine earlier.
I wanted to use the getmemoryconfiguration.bat but I am not member of the Ten Forums so I couldn't use it.
Is there way to access the batch file?

Lastly I got the message..to go with the RAM kit for my Acer gaming laptop.

NavyLCDR · Jul 10, 2023

JAM83 said:
If you buy a kit, it's gonna have the identical ones. . You never want to mix RAM. That can cause issues :)

bobkn said:
Not something I'd suggest for a laptop, given the possible limits on BIOS settings for one.

Why, oh why, did nobody tell me that before I put two different brands and speeds of SODIMMS in my Dell Inspiron 7773 years ago? There must be something wrong with my laptop because it has been working perfectly for years. It came with 16GB, and I added the second 16GB SODIMM.

Code:

PS C:\Windows\system32> wmic memorychip list full


BankLabel=BANK 0
Capacity=17179869184
DataWidth=64
Description=Physical Memory
DeviceLocator=DIMM A
FormFactor=12
HotSwappable=
InstallDate=
InterleaveDataDepth=1
InterleavePosition=1
Manufacturer=80AD000080AD
MemoryType=0
Model=
Name=Physical Memory
OtherIdentifyingInfo=
PartNumber=HMA82GS6MFR8N-TF
PositionInRow=1
PoweredOn=
Removable=
Replaceable=
SerialNumber=81269760
SKU=
Speed=2133
Status=
Tag=Physical Memory 0
TotalWidth=64
TypeDetail=16512
Version=


BankLabel=BANK 2
Capacity=17179869184
DataWidth=64
Description=Physical Memory
DeviceLocator=DIMM B
FormFactor=12
HotSwappable=
InstallDate=
InterleaveDataDepth=1
InterleavePosition=2
Manufacturer=802C0000802C
MemoryType=0
Model=
Name=Physical Memory
OtherIdentifyingInfo=
PartNumber=16ATF2G64HZ-2G3H1
PositionInRow=1
PoweredOn=
Removable=
Replaceable=
SerialNumber=186ABE3F
SKU=
Speed=2400
Status=
Tag=Physical Memory 1
TotalWidth=64
TypeDetail=16512
Version=

bobkn · Jul 10, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
Why, oh why, did nobody tell me that before I put two different brands and speeds of SODIMMS in my Dell Inspiron 7773 years ago? There must be something wrong with my laptop because it has been working perfectly for years. It came with 16GB, and I added the second 16GB SODIMM.

(snip)

Right. Guaranteed to work, every time.

Dru2 · Jul 10, 2023

Anything will work but is it working at optimal performance? I'd put that up against a benchmarking tool.

But yeah, some people are satisfied with anything so....

NavyLCDR · Jul 11, 2023

Dru2 said:
Anything will work but is it working at optimal performance? I'd put that up against a benchmarking tool.

But yeah, some people are satisfied with anything so....

It runs at the speed of the slowest RAM installed.

Dru2 · Jul 11, 2023

Doesn't mean your mixed RAM is running as efficient as matched RAM and I'm certain benchmarks would show that

Benchmarks meaning running matched vs unmatched in the same machine.

But again, if you're satisfied with your mixed configuration, that's all that matters (for you).

Dru2 · Jul 11, 2023

For clarity's sake....

I want to add "mixed" RAM could mean anything from mixed brands to mixed voltages. So when some claim there are "no issues" with their "mixed" RAM, what's mixed about them?

If speeds, timings, and voltages are the same, but brands are different, than not a problem. If one of the three mentioned outside of brand are different, than yeah, issues could arise.

So, claiming mixed RAM works without provided info is meaningless