Mixed DDR4 sticks become unstable at 3200 MHz with XMP—what settings should I use?
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MapleOrbit47
I'm running a Ryzen 5 5600GT on an MSI B450M-A PRO MAX II with one Patriot 8GB DDR4-3200 CL16 stick and one Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB DDR4-3200 CL16 stick. Each module works by itself at 3200 MHz, but the system becomes unstable when both are installed with XMP enabled. Is mixing these two kits likely the cause? Would replacing the Patriot with another matching Corsair 8GB stick and running 2×8GB at 3200 MHz likely fix the problem?
Answers
The simplest option is to disable XMP and confirm the system is stable at default settings. If that works, you can gradually test higher speeds or looser timings with a proper memory stress test after each change.
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A matched 2×8GB Corsair kit has a better chance of running at 3200 MHz because the modules are validated together, but it still isn’t an absolute guarantee. Use the recommended paired slots on the motherboard and test the final configuration with a memory tester or a long system stress test.
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Mixed modules can have different memory chips and subtimings even when their advertised speed and CL rating match. Start by updating the motherboard BIOS, then try running the memory at its standard JEDEC speed. If you want to keep 3200 MHz, manually set a conservative speed and timings based on the slower module rather than relying entirely on XMP.
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CedarBloom5: If the matching kit is available at a reasonable price, I’d choose it over spending hours tuning two unrelated sticks. Otherwise, lowering the memory speed slightly is usually the easier fix.