Solved Can I do this?

timlab55 · Jul 4, 2025

I have a ASUS Z-590-e motherboard. Inside the memory bay I have two memory boards. The markings on them: DDR 4, 32GX4M3E 3200MHz C16
16-20-20-38. Then I have another set that has these marks on them: DDR4, 32GX4M2A 2666C16, 2666MHz, 16-18-18-35. I do know that the 3200 MHz will go down to the 2666MHZ, but that's it. Can I put both these in my mobo?
Thanks

Ghot · Jul 4, 2025

@timlab55

What's the total amount of RAM you want to end up with?
Like... how many GB total?

antspants · Jul 4, 2025

You’re not going to blow your machine up from trying, at least I never have. You’re either going to get no boot-up or undesired results

timlab55 · Jul 4, 2025

I've never done this that's for sure, but currently, I have the 1st one inside my machine, and found the 2nd in a storage room. I figure I might be able to put #1 and #2 together and end up with 64GB.

antspants · Jul 4, 2025

Try it

timlab55 · Jul 4, 2025

Are you sure? I mean two different sets of memory sticks, and I sure hate to blow my machine up, get a bottleneck or something.

antspants · Jul 4, 2025

Put the ram in and skip a slot
So X4M3E X4M2A X4M3E X4M2A

If unsure, don’t

antspants · Jul 4, 2025

But worst I’ve ever had was long boot beep indicating bad boot (which would be the ram) but still if unsure, maybe wait for other opinions, like @Scannerman

Dru2 · Jul 4, 2025

timlab55 said:
I have a ASUS Z-590-e motherboard. Inside the memory bay I have two memory boards. The markings on them: DDR 4, 32GX4M3E 3200MHz C16
16-20-20-38. Then I have another set that has these marks on them: DDR4, 32GX4M2A 2666C16, 2666MHz, 16-18-18-35. I do know that the 3200 MHz will go down to the 2666MHZ, but that's it. Can I put both these in my mobo?
Thanks

That's been done but the overall RAM speed will be set to the lowest speed modules - 32Gig of 3200MHz + 32gig of 2666MHz will = 64gig @ 2666MHz. The big thing is voltage matching. If both are 1.3, no issue, if one is 1.3 and the other 1.5 volts, perhaps issues.

timlab55 · Jul 4, 2025

How can I find out what the voltage is of both? I'm hoping you say before I put them in the machine and letting it rip. My next question is 2666MHz isn't bad is it?

Catnip · Jul 4, 2025

timlab55 said:
How can I find out what the voltage is of both? I'm hoping you say before I put them in the machine and letting it rip. My next question is 2666MHz isn't bad is it?

Look up the specs from the memory manufacturer. Most of them have the specifications available online.

timlab55 · Jul 4, 2025

DDR 4, 32GX4M3E 3200MHz C16 16-20-20-38 is 1.35v and then the DDR4, 32GX4M2A 2666C16, 2666MHz, 16-18-18-35 is 1.20v. So what now?

Scannerman · Jul 4, 2025

timlab55 said:
I have a ASUS Z-590-e motherboard. Inside the memory bay I have two memory boards. The markings on them: DDR 4, 32GX4M3E 3200MHz C16
16-20-20-38. Then I have another set that has these marks on them: DDR4, 32GX4M2A 2666C16, 2666MHz, 16-18-18-35. I do know that the 3200 MHz will go down to the 2666MHZ, but that's it. Can I put both these in my mobo?
Thanks

I haven't read all the posts on this thread yet but as near as I can tell you want to know if you can use mismatched RAM. In most cases the answer is yes, BUT you will also take a hit in over all performance in memory. Using the 2666MHz memory will bring all of it down to that speed unless you can clock, or XMP it to run faster. Also, it really depends on what you are using your PC for as timing issues can occur with mismatched memory. The difference in voltages should not matter as this is variable depending on your memory clock speed and memory can be easily "under-volted" from the BIOS either manually, or via XMP. Your 3200MHz RAM will love you if you dial it down to 2666 Mhz @ 1.2 volts and if you can attain a CL of 16-16-16 with DDR4 you will have hit the coveted "sweet spot" for DDR4 memory with respect to latency.

So short answer is NO you will not blow up your memory despite these differences in voltages as these are designed to be variable. There are several videos available online that will show you the step-by-step process of how to overclock or under-clock memory. The process is easier than overclocking a CPU. Of course, should you decide to overclock I do NOT recommend "over volting" it past that 1.35 V limit but it is more likely that the UEFI/BIOS won't even let you get away with that anyway. Try to see if you can get it all to run @ 16-16-16 on 1.2 volts instead. There's a very good chance you can and this is still a sensible speed for the system board you are using.

I hope this helps

Scannerman · Jul 4, 2025

timlab55 said:
Are you sure? I mean two different sets of memory sticks, and I sure hate to blow my machine up, get a bottleneck or something.

I can practically guarantee you that you will get a bottleneck. It will be very slight but it will be there. You likely won't even notice it. Again, it depends on the RAM. Some RAM is more forgiving than other RAM. Samsung B die RAM is very flexible and known for stability, for example. As Catnip suggested, it is also good practice to look up the QVL for your memory before you buy.

Marcus Vinicus · Jul 4, 2025

Hi @timlab55

Is this your motherboard?

ROG STRIX Z590-E GAMING WIFI

The flagship ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming WiFi motherboard easily handles the demands of the latest generation Intel® Core™ processors thanks to its boosted power delivery and optimized cooling design. The latest generation Intel® WiFi 6E and PCI Express® Gen 4 M.2 ensure stable gaming performance...

rog.asus.com

timlab55 · Jul 4, 2025

Marcus Vinicus · Jul 4, 2025

I'm with @antspants on this.

No harm in giving it a go but seeing it requires dual channel ram in my experience with ASUS boards they can be very touchy about this like my current board. The very worst that could happen is that it won't boot and you may have to clear the cmos afterwards. If it boots I'd suggest running Memtest.

Best of luck!

abactuon · Jul 4, 2025

Install a 3200MHz memory and look at the JEDEC profiles, for example with CPU-Z

antspants · Jul 4, 2025

Don’t panic if you hear a long beep, it’s just the motherboard talking to you and saying the RAM isn’t set out properly. And as I mentioned I am near 100% certain you have to seat the RAM in groups (it’s been a while):

antspants said:
Put the RAM in and skip a slot for the matching RAM. Thinking about it I would probably seat it as 2A 3E 2A 3E. Otherwise:

X4M3E X4M2A X4M3E X4M2A

Marcus Vinicus · Jul 4, 2025

From the motherboard manual page 1-5

The manuals various languages, including the bios manual are here:

ROG STRIX Z590-E GAMING WIFI

The flagship ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming WiFi motherboard easily handles the demands of the latest generation Intel® Core™ processors thanks to its boosted power delivery and optimized cooling design. The latest generation Intel® WiFi 6E and PCI Express® Gen 4 M.2 ensure stable gaming performance...

rog.asus.com

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