I'm wondering if I can use two sets of 2x8GB DDR4 RAM sticks from different brands in my PC. I have one set from TeamGroup and another from Corsair. Both sets are rated at 3200MHz CL16, but the timings differ slightly: one is 16-18-18-38 and the other is 16-18-18-36. Will they work together?
2 Answers
In my experience, they should work fine together! The memory timings will default to the slower stick's timings, but that's not usually a huge issue. Just keep an eye on stability after you install them.
It’s a bit of a gamble. Most likely they’ll boot up at their standard speeds without any trouble, especially if you’re not using older hardware. If they're similar enough, there's a good chance they'll play well together. If they’re too different, that might be a different story.

I’m planning to use them with a Ryzen 5 5500. Does that change anything?