[mgb_]

I have two machines with 4GB (2x2GB) of RAM in each, they are different brands but look to be the same spec. I need to upgrade to 8GB in one of the machines and it wouldn't hurt to upgrade the other. I noticed for almost the same price I can get 2 x 4GB of another brand for the price of 2 x 2GB of the two I already own. So, here are the questions:

Can I combine the two different brands i already have (2 Corsair x 2 Kingston x 2GB) into one system?

If I can combine them would it make a difference as to what system I put the unmatched pair into? (The two systems and their uses are below)

If I can't combine them what are the drawbacks, if any, of having the same brand but different size sticks? Like 2 x 2GB and 2 x 4GB sticks bringing the total to 10GB or or maybe 2 x 2GB and one 4GB to bring it to 8GB if thats better for some reason?


System 1:
HTPC running Win7, GIGABYTE GA-H67MA-UD2H-B3 motherboard.

system 2:
Media/File server running unRAID, MSI 880GMA-E53 motherboard.



Memory 1:
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9

Specifications:
http://www.corsair.com/us/cmx4gx3m2a1600c9.html

New Egg Link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820145260


Memory 2:
Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3B1K2/4GX

Specifications:
http://www.kingston.com/datasheets/KHX16...K2_8GX.pdf

New Egg Link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820104203

[thethirdnut]

Prolly not an issue, but try to keep RAM of brand_x on same channel. Should be color coded on the mobo.

[Kib]

This question should be answered in your motherboard manual. When using different sized sets, usually the sets need to go in 1, 3 and 2, 4