Are these memory modules compatible with my existing memory? I want to buy two 8GB modules.

[cst1992]

Hi all,

I have two sticks of DDR3 1600MHz RAM from G.Skill with the model number F3-1600C9D-16GAR.

F3-1600C9D-16GAR - Overview - G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd.

Whether your system is a beast with an oversized CPU cooler or a savvy small-form-factor PC, G.SKILL ARES is built for ultra high performance and rock solid stability. Named after the Greek god of war, G.SKILL ARES will serve and power your system in your daily battles of gaming and computing.

www.gskill.com

This kit is no longer available, sadly, so I'm considering either of these modules(low-profile preferred):
Corsair CMZ16GX3M2A1600C9(dark grey color): https://www.corsair.com/eu/en/Categ...-Channel-DDR3-Memory-Kit/p/CMZ16GX3M2A1600C9G

2 modules of Kingston HX318C10F/8: https://www.kingston.com/datasheets/HX318C10F_8.pdf

The first one is CL9 1600MHz and the second one is CL10, 1866MHz.

I'm thinking the second one should automatically downclock to CL9 1600MHz instead of CL10 1866MHz, however its timings are 9-10-9 instead of my 9-9-9.

Are both these modules compatible?

 

[agent_x007]

Well, mixing modules means they will have to work at the same settings YOU set in BIOS.
I'd say they should work at JEDEC speed regardless of DDR3 modules you pick (assuming BIOS isn't stupid and you aren't mixing DDR3Ls with first DDR3 released in 2007/2008).
Only setting rated speed may be problematic... but there is a good chance XMP profile of either will work on both sets too (slower memory can be OC after all).

In short : Yes* (but don't blame me if it doesn't).
*it's highly unlikely anyone gives you 100% certain answer (since that someone would have to have your board and two sets of kits you pick [to not lie in my book]).

PS. I recommend installing latest BIOS, to have the best chance of newest DDR3 working on it,

 

[cst1992]

Okay, it isn't possible by looking at the timings?
What about the timings though? The Kingston RAM has 9-10-9 timings at 1600MHz, whereas currently my G.Skill memory has 9-9-9 timings at 1333MHz and XMP 1600MHz.
All modules are 1.5V.

What I'm most worried about is the system not POSTing at all. Do you think I should go ahead and order them regardless? Amazon has a 7-day replacement policy on them, but not return.

 

[newtekie1]

I recommend getting sticks as close to the same specs as the original sticks you have in your system.

If the system doesn't POST when you add the second pair of sticks, remove them and then go into the BIOS and manually set the speed and timings to the slower configuration(1600MHz 9-10-9). Then see if it will POST. You might even have to loosen timings some more just because running 4 sticks is harder on the IMC, and it might not be able to handle 4 sticks at 1600MHz 9-10-9, but most 4960K's can.

 

[cst1992]

4960K's

You mean my processor, or something else?

 

[joemama]

Just go ahead and order it, the worst case is just gonna be all sticks running at 1300MHz, you may want to do some frequency and timing tuning to make them run at 1600MHz.

 

[newtekie1]

You mean my processor, or something else?

Yes, I meant your processor. I meant 4690K.

 

[cst1992]

I ordered the Kingston modules, and they're working!
My existing modules:

All four modules:

It's astonishing that in spite of having different timings, it is still working fine!
All four modules were detected and are running at XMP 1600MHz.

HWINFO64 screenshots:

I'm impressed! It seems getting a proper Z97 motherboard paid off!

 

[Ruru]

Personally I haven't got ever any major problems when I've used mixed RAM sticks/kits, and I've had PCs from the SDR SDRAM era. Maybe I've got just luck but at least I don't see any actual problems when using different modules.

 

[cst1992]

Two points of concern were there for me - the Kingston RAM natively runs at 1866MHz C10 and the G.Skill one natively runs at 1333MHz C9. It can also run at 1600MHz C9 but with XMP.
Even if I force both modules to run at 1600MHz(which I'm doing now I guess) the G.Skill one is rated for 9-9-9-24 timings whereas the Kingston 9-10-9-26 timings.
I'd never encountered such a situation before so I was skeptical.

 

[newtekie1]

Two points of concern were there for me - the Kingston RAM natively runs at 1866MHz C10 and the G.Skill one natively runs at 1333MHz C9. It can also run at 1600MHz C9 but with XMP.
Even if I force both modules to run at 1600MHz(which I'm doing now I guess) the G.Skill one is rated for 9-9-9-24 timings whereas the Kingston 9-10-9-26 timings.
I'd never encountered such a situation before so I was skeptical.

Yeah, you are technically overclocking the Kingston sticks slightly by running them at tighter timings than they are rated for. If it was me, I'd boot up memtest86 from a USB stick and let it run over night just to be sure the RAM is stable. But I would guess that it is, 9-9-9-24 isn't exactly extreme tight timings, so the Kingston should be able to handle it.

 

[cst1992]

running them at tighter timings than they are rated for

I'm lowering the frequency; that should make a difference, right?

 

[Night]

I'm lowering the frequency; that should make a difference, right?

Of course, look at the DDR3 speeds and the tight timings.

 

[newtekie1]

I'm lowering the frequency; that should make a difference, right?

But you aren't lowing the frequency. They are rated for 9-10-9-26@1600, per the timings table on the RAM. You're running them tat 9-9-9-24@1600, so tighter timings than what they are rated for, but nothing major. Like I said, I would just run a memtest86 on them over night just to be sure, but it should be fine.