Recently, one of my two RAM sticks bit the dust. Fortunately, a friend sold me a nearly new pair of RAM sticks for a good price. The specs on these new sticks are quite similar to my surviving original, but they're from a different brand. I've read conflicting opinions on this, and I'm curious about two things: 1. Should I use all three sticks or just the two new ones? 2. If using all three is better, what's the best way to set them up (like which channels to use)? Appreciate any advice!
5 Answers
You can mix and match, but be cautious. It may cause instability and reduce performance. If you need the extra RAM, go ahead and try it, but keep an eye out for crashes. Typically, the system will default to the slowest speed for compatibility.
Using three sticks isn't the best choice since RAM operates in dual-channel mode for optimal performance. If you mix brands, it can cause instability and might not reach the speeds they're rated for. I'd suggest going with just the pair that match.
It's generally best to use an even number of RAM sticks. Most platforms, like AM5, run better with just 2 sticks. Having three can create issues since RAM is optimized to work in pairs, so I’d recommend sticking with just the two new ones.
Mixing RAM sticks can lead to problems like crashes and inconsistent performance. Ideally, your RAM should match perfectly. If you can avoid it, don't combine different brands or types; it just complicates things too much.
Using three RAM sticks can actually degrade performance. It’s not ideal because you'll have one stick working under less-than-optimal conditions. If you decide to use the third stick, make sure to configure it correctly according to your motherboard manual.
Thanks for the advice! I was leaning towards keeping it simple with the two.