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    upgrading memory... noob question, I am sure

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by moelda, Oct 8, 2009.

  1. moelda

    moelda Notebook Geek

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    Is it really noticeable ( for a normal user) having 2 modules of memory from the same kit or will it be "sort of" the same having 2 modules of the same brand with the same latency and speed...
     
    moelda, Oct 8, 2009
    #1
  2. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You won't notice a difference at all in any real life situation.
     
    sgogeta4, Oct 8, 2009
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  3. ahl395

    ahl395 Ahlball

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    I second the above.

    I doubt you would notice anything. :p
     
    ahl395, Oct 8, 2009
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  4. garetjax

    garetjax NBR Freelance Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    Technically, no, you won't notice a performance difference if you were to use a matched kit of RAM versus using two unmatched sticks. The only way you would be able to tell the difference is through synthetic benchmarking.

    Now, with that said, a case can be made for the reliability and long term performance of matched sticks of memory. Matched sticks of RAM are typically more reliable as they are often times "hand picked" in pairs (and now threes with the advent of i7) because they perform better with one stick of RAM versus another. This allows the RAM to operate more efficiently and reliably in the long term.

    In my opinion, I would always recommend buying memory in kits. Matched kits of memory have always run a bit more expensive than buying sticks of RAM piecemeal, but the benefits of matched kits more than make up for the small difference in price.
     
    garetjax, Oct 8, 2009
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  5. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I ran two different brands of the same type of memory for over 2-years without any problems. However, I prefer to use matched pairs.
     
    usapatriot, Oct 8, 2009
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  6. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    RAM and CPU speed nowadays are fast enough where this is a non issue.
     
    surfasb, Oct 8, 2009
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  7. garetjax

    garetjax NBR Freelance Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    All RAM is not created equal...
     
    garetjax, Oct 8, 2009
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  8. Trottel

    Trottel Notebook Virtuoso

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    What he is asking is if there is a difference between buying a 2 x 2GB kit or two separate 2GB sticks of the same memory. There is no difference whatsoever and it is just done for convenience and cost savings. It isn't that you won't feel a difference, it is that there is no difference.

    As far as running two different sticks, again there is no difference whatsoever. As long as both are running at frequencies, voltages, and timings that are stable for both, it doesn't matter at all. As far as the computer is concerned, they are two of the same sticks.
     
    Trottel, Oct 9, 2009
    #8