What We Have Covered in This Article
Last Updated on October 14, 2022 by Editor Futurescope
As a computer lover and probably a gamer, you may feel the urge to upgrade your RAM for performance improvement. This RAM upgrade is a good idea, but will two 16GB and two 8GB RAMs work together without problems?
The different RAMs may work fine if you place them in the right way and correct slots. What if you do it wrong? It might cause problems and make your PC perform slower. And you don’t want that, do you?
We’ve written this article to guide you on using two RAMs with different sizes. By the end of this guide, you’ll have more knowledge about computers, and specifically RAM.
Adding 2x16GB RAM to an existing 2x8GB workstation
Suppose you have a workstation with four memory slots. Yet two have been occupied by 8GB modules. Then can you install two 16GB modules to the other empty slots to make it 48 GB?
It’s not a must that all four slots should contain the same RAM size. The best decision is adding matching pairs. However, some motherboards have features like a dual channel that may fail to work if the couples aren’t similar.
Another significant thing you need to carry out is making your motherboard compatible with the RAM speed and size you want to install. After installation of the extra modules, consider that RAM speeds and timings perform to the lowest setting. Therefore, it’s essential you match the RAMs in the best way possible.
Is it possible to run 2 16GB RAM with 2 8GB RAM?
Here it looks like you want to run every channel in the PC in a similar layout. Therefore, adding 16GB with 8GB in each channel is great. For a dual-channel motherboard, this can be perfect, but since it has four slots (quad channel) motherboard, we’ll explain what happens.
Is running four 8GB RAM in a quad channel better than two 16GB RAM in dual? After this, can the system use hardware simultaneously?
A good choice you can make is initially to use two 16GB RAM sticks and buy two more the next time.
Many people can’t spot the difference between dual and quad channels. However, Ryzen benefits from good memory. Threadripper game performance varies since it behaves as a dual-socket CPU in a single-socket one.
You should check your manual to know where it states the extra sticks need to be placed to make it a dual channel. With more complex platforms like theadripper, it isn’t reliable as you may find a game that doesn’t comply with its running.
Read more: Can I use 16GB and 8GB RAM together?
RAM myths and misconceptions
Some certain myths and misconceptions exist about RAM. Many people should understand that these are just speculations and are not proven. Here are the myths and misconceptions that need to stop.
- You can’t mix RAM sizes.
Mixing RAM sizes or brands is possible, but this is not always the best step to take for the system’s performance.
For effective system performance, using RAM sticks from the same developer with the same size and frequency is advised. The reason why mixing RAMs is discouraged is that the RAM has several components that work together for maximum performance. Therefore, adding different RAM sticks may fail to comply with some features.
However, this doesn’t mean you still can’t pair RAM sticks. For instance, if your initial RAM was 4GB, you can add another 8GB. Afterward, you need to set the 8GB in a dual channel to work as 2 4GB RAMS, and the other 4GB runs in a single channel. It may not be as fast as similar RAM sticks, but it is faster than you previously had.
- My RAM is enough
The notion that RAM is enough to run your system and you don’t need more is some of the myths. More RAM assists the system in the running faster despite the RAM sizes differing.
Developers create programs that apps request a certain RAM percentage. The more the RAM, the more the percentage the app requests. Using 60% of your total RAM can’t mean you don’t need more RAM. The everyday tasks you conduct may only use 60%, leaving the rest for future assignments.
A rule for PCs states that 4GB is the minimum, and 8GB provides the best performance for average users. The 16GB RAM suits gamers, computer geeks, and professionals working on graphics and videos.
- Clearing RAM boosts its speed.
This is the most predominant myth that is present. Simply this means that you shouldn’t clean your RAM as it needs to be packed for the system to run fast.
RAM isn’t there to remain empty. The operating system and software need to use every little amount of RAM. Clearing the RAM with a booster does nothing and may slow down the system as you’ll be removing certain computations.
The RAM differs from a hard drive, as it auto-manages data and adjusts itself to hold frequent data accessed. For 4GB RAM, the system continuously writes, clears, and rewrites frequently accessed data in that 4GB.
Filling up the RAM isn’t good, as it may cause speed issues. Modern operating software use paging files (virtual memory) that push some data from the super-fast RAM into the slower RAM.
Virtual memory is helpful as it stops the PC from slowing down. However, for you whose RAM keeps frequently running out, then it’s high time you buy higher-capacity RAMs.
Conclusion
Mixing the two 8GB and two 16GB RAMs isn’t impossible, but many restrictions come with it. The speed and performance may be opposite of what you imagined.
Myths and misconceptions highlighted in the article need to be forgotten completely, and necessary guidelines followed. Consider using similar RAM sticks for effective performance and less trouble.
