Mix 'n Match RAM for best deal?

I've been watching RAM prices waiting to pounce on a good deal over the past few weeks. Prices have been creeping up rather than down and now I'm getting impatient. So the best deals I can find for 16GB (2x8GB) are as follows.

Option 1 - $86
GeIL 16GB (2 x 8G) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10660) Laptop Memory Model GS316GB1333C9DC - $86

Option 2 - $73
CORSAIR 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 Laptop Memory Model CMSO8GX3M1A1333C9 - $36 after MIR
PLUS
Patriot Signature 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Laptop Memory Model PSD38G13332S - $37 after MIR

Note that these will be running with my OEM RAM (Samsung 2x4GB 1333MHz 9-9-9-24 at 1.5V). The second option is cheaper, but I am forced to mix 2 brands if I want a rebate on both sticks. I could get the Corsair Value RAM for $82 if I bought 2 individual sticks (getting the rebate on only 1, paying normal price on the other).

So what do you think of Option 2? Is it stupid to mix brands, especially when they are going to be running in dual-channel as a pair.

EDIT: Also, I can't seem to find the timings on the Patriot stick. It is CL9, but I don't know if it is 9-9-9-24. The brochure also claims it is only compatible with 2nd Gen Intel Core CPUs. That seems odd. Are they just playing it safe? I have a first gen i7 CPU.

 

I would say it's dumb to mix brands -on purpose- just to save a few bucks.

If you really wanted those extra bucks - just get a friend to claim the rebate.

Ignore the rest of the 'specs'.

Good luck.

 

Newegg put an ADATA kit on sale tonight. So I ended up getting this for $79.99 after instant savings (no rebate!) $7 more than the mix 'n match scheme but so much simpler.

 

There's no harm in mixing brands, though there's a nice convenience in just getting a 2-stick kit at a low price, like that ADATA.

 

There's nothing wrong with mixing brands; I do it when convienent. As long as speed, timings, capacity and number of chips match it will run in dual mode just fine. Even if they don't match it will still run in dual mode, just not as effectively.

At worst you're talking maybe a 1% overall performance hit, so don't sweat it.

 

If the ram functions, it doesn't matter. All timings are set to the lowest common denominator and so it doesn't make any difference what ram chips are used or if the pcb is slightly different.