Mixing memory sizes

"You Can't Mix RAM Sizes" Most laptops or computers come with at least two slots for RAM sticks, if not more. Most modern motherboards will provide four RAM slots. There's a prevailing misconception you cannot use different RAM sizes together or that you cannot mix RAM brands. Simply put, that's not true.

1. Can you mix 8GB and 16GB RAM?
2. Can you mix 4GB and 8GB RAM?
3. Is it bad to mix RAM?
4. Can you mix 4GB and 2gb RAM?
5. Is 32GB RAM overkill?
6. Is it better to have 1 or 2 sticks of RAM?
7. Can you mix and match RAM sizes?
8. Is it better to have 2 sticks of RAM or 4?
9. Can I use all 4 RAM slots?
10. Can I use 1333MHz and 1600MHz RAM together?
11. Will 3 of 4 memory slots work?
12. Is 2400 Mhz RAM good?

Can you mix 8GB and 16GB RAM?

Yes you can mix memory modules. However keep in mind, your system will only be as fast as “the slowest member”. I encountered a laptop where the owner had swapped memory modules from other systems to end up with 24GB of memory. It is doable to do 8GB & 16GB in a two slot DDR3 & 4 systems.

Can you mix 4GB and 8GB RAM?

Usually you can but it depends on the motherboard. There are chips which are 4GB and 8GB, in dual channel mode this will not work. But you would still get 12GB total only a little slower. Sometimes you will have to swap the RAM slots since the detection has bugs.

Is it bad to mix RAM?

Don't even try. You cannot mix different generations of DRAM. In fact, you can't install a different generation of DRAM in your system at all. The reason is that your motherboard is built to process one generation of memory.

Can you mix 4GB and 2gb RAM?

YES! you can install a 2gb and 4gb RAM chip together. As long as the frequency is the same there isn't going to be any issues.

Is 32GB RAM overkill?

Is 32GB overkill? In general, yes. The only real reason an average user would need 32GB is for future proofing. As far as just simply gaming goes, 16GB is plenty, and really, you can get by just fine with 8GB.

Is it better to have 1 or 2 sticks of RAM?

These adjustments when subjected to higher loads will make the memory sub-system reliable. Eventually, installing four sticks of 2GB RAM is always better than using two sticks of 4GB RAM or a single 8GB RAM module. In addition to being reliable, the increase in the number of sticks will make the system faster.

Can you mix and match RAM sizes?

"You Can't Mix RAM Sizes"

There's a prevailing misconception you cannot use different RAM sizes together or that you cannot mix RAM brands. ... The answer is Yes, you can mix RAM sticks and RAM sizes and even different RAM speeds—but mixing and matching RAM modules isn't the best for system performance.

Is it better to have 2 sticks of RAM or 4?

General rule with Ryzen is always to prefer 2 sticks over 4. If you want 32GB get 2x16GB. 2x8GB will have better timings/speeds though. the more physical chips on the dimm, the denser the routing and the worse signal integrity you get.

Can I use all 4 RAM slots?

A common misconception about RAM is that you can put any RAM into any slot. You can do that, but it won't work, or it will work ineffectively. If you have four RAM slots, always buy matched pairs of RAM (two sticks from the same company, same speed, and same capacity) for the best results.

Can I use 1333MHz and 1600MHz RAM together?

You can, both sticks will run at 1333MHz. As long as your motherboard supports more than 8gb of RAM, which most of them do.

Will 3 of 4 memory slots work?

Yes, and you can use dual channel. You just need to put the 8GB stick in one channel, and the two 4GB sticks in the other channel.

Is 2400 Mhz RAM good?

Is 2400MHz (DDR4) RAM good enough for gaming in 2020–21? It's passable. For an intel system, it should be fine. For a Ryzen system, the ram speed affects the infinity fabric so slower memory will hurt performance more.