Is it ok to use 2 different types of DDR3 memory modules?

Hardware Hub Motherboards
1

So my motherboard is Gigabyte's GA-970A-UD3.
In the user's manual I found the note: "When enabling Dual Channel mode with two or four memory modules, it is recommended that memory of the same capacity, brand, speed and chips be used and installed in the same colored DDR3 sockets for optimum perfomance."

So does this mean i can install 2 of memory X and 2 memory of Y, only if X is on one colored sockets and Y on other colored...?

But is there any point of mixing together because now atm i have 2 x Kingston Value Ram 4 Gb (1333MHz) and just got 2 x Kingston HyperX Fury Black 8 Gb (1600MHz)?
Does the mixing them together give me any advantage than just putting only HyperXs.

Thank you for support, but sorry if the question may seem silly for some of you.
Not everybody has a wizard beard yet. :(

2

by default, all memory banks will be downclocked to slowest.

Dual/Triple/Quad channels are tricky and mixing sometimes helps solve issues
(if they are not mixed you could have some banks disabled).

Itself you shouldn't add those 8GB of 1333MHz... it'll only slow down your 16GB.

~ mixing

Slot 1 (A) 8GB
Slot 2 (B) 8GB
Slot 3 (A) 4GB
Slot 4 (B) 4GB

or 4GB first and then 8GB, - that is if you see issues.
This way your memory doesn't essentially have to match to keep dual/triple channel modes on them.
(but you may find that dual channel 1333MHz slower than 1600MHz, and its not said that they'll all go to 1333 they might have to be even lowered to 1060 or something.)

Note: Timings may be issue, power state profiles, voltages. You may have to play around each bank.

3

Essentially all the ram has to match to be in dual channel mode.

Yea , just use the two 8 gig sticks and leave the other two out

4

So you're saying as well that to get the best perfomance, just use of Hyperxs without the old ones...?

5

yeah, but if you have a lot of time you can play around.

6

Slot 1 (A) 8GB
Slot 2 (B) 4GB
Slot 3 (A) 8GB
Slot 4 (B) 4GB

This might have a better chance of working.

7

I agree with you. You may not get a fully optimize Dual Channel arrangement, but what you are proposing it the best in this situation.

If they all the same capacity it would have fell back to the slowest speed and happy run in dual channel mode.
I don't think have the same brands now days matters to much. As long as the capacity, speed are the same it should work well.

8

Yep you want it to be the same in each slot type (A or B) this will almost guarantee stability in dual channel mode.(If it even works.) Speed and capacity wise, just make sure that your 4gb dimms are the same speed as each other, and your 8gb dimms.

9

(I know it looks better, but it won't work)
actually no, the dual channel won't work this way.

Mobo either won't boot at all or it will disable one of your sticks leaving you with 16GB or 20GB.

Thats the reason why you mix it, forcing each of sticks to balance their clocks and voltages.

Example of my config with 2 different types of DDR3 1600 memory in 2011LGA
Here's example of Quad Channel with different clock state mem's (XMP is getting them all to 1600MHz)

but voltages are different
A1 1.2v
B1 1.3v
C1 1.2v
D1 1.3v

Channels
(A1, C1)
(A2, C2)
(B1, D1)
(B2, D2)

10

What? Shouldn't the OP try to do Dual channel before switching to Single?
I have almost the exact same config the OP wants and I am doing.

(A1) 8GB
(B1) 4GB
(A2) 8GB
(B2) 4GB

EDIT: I did force my 1333MHz into 1600MHz at 9-9-9-27.

1 Like
11

well, that is if the timings allow, and volt is same on both. (which i doubt)
If state timings /volts are different he'll have to mix ~ as he won't even boot...