Hey everyone! I'm looking to upgrade my PC by adding more RAM. Right now, I've got Crucial Ballistix (2x8GB), and I'm considering adding a RipJaws 5 Series Noir 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 3600 MHz CL16 kit since I heard Crucial Ballistix is no longer being produced. Both sets are DDR4-3600 and CL16, but the timings are a bit different (16-18-18-38 for the Crucial vs. 16-19-19-39 for the RipJaws). I'm thinking they should be compatible, though I know there might be a slight hit on performance. Can I just add the new RAM to what I already have? Or should I remove the old ones entirely? Any advice would be really appreciated!
4 Answers
Do you really need 48GB of RAM? Most people find that 32GB is more than enough for gaming and general use. Consider selling the old 2x8GB and sticking with the new kit!
Mixing RAM can sometimes lead to stability problems. If you're unsure, it's safer to just use the new 2x16GB set for a smoother experience. You won't have to worry about compatibility or tweaking settings.
It's usually best to run a single RAM kit that's been tested for compatibility. Mixing the two might work, but the timings could be tricky. If you want to avoid potential issues, I'd suggest using just the RipJaws 2x16GB set. It's likely that your system will boot with all 48GB, but you may need to manually adjust the settings for optimal performance. Unless you really need the extra RAM, sticking with 32GB is often the safest bet.
They might work together, but you can't guarantee they'll run at the full 3600 speed. The safest approach is to replace the old kit with the new one, but if you're willing to test them out together, just be prepared for some tweaking.
Thanks for the tip! Since I'm not very tech-savvy, I'll probably just swap the old ones for the new 32GB kit to keep things simple.
Exactly! Running a single verified kit is always more stable. If you're not planning on exceeding 32GB, it's probably best to just go with the new kit.