Any Advice on how to pick RAM for my PC?

[timothytoots]

Dear oldfolks,

a guy in a small and expensive computer store claimed that I can't use any RAM in any PC. He said I need to buy a Kingston but it's super expensive (for me). Is this true? I can't add any brand to any brand motherboard? Are there any rules I can follow while picking RAM?

Thank you for your advice

[Jim K Global Moderator]

Probably would help if you posted the computer or motherboard in question.

Regarding memory.  Look at the user's manual for the computer to see what memory type/speed is supported.  If this is for a motherboard, look at the QVL list for memory support...or the manual for memory type/speed.  No reason to be locked into one specific brand of memory (i.e. Kingston).

[Sulphy]

Oldfolks???? WTH... jk jk jk

Pretty much what Jim K said, check the ram compatibility list for your motherboard manufacturer ... also be sure to do bios updates for the mobo, as they often update the compatibility for brands/models of ram. But a general rule of thumb, is most brands (supported dimm type & speed) will work. But it is always best practice to check the manual. You can also use websites like Choose Your Parts - PCPartPicker, and pick your board, then when selecting the memory option, they are usually pretty good at offering supported memory modules, as well as price/where to buy them online.

[cooky560 Veteran]

As long as the RAM is the same type (eg DDR4 for a DDR4 motherboard) brand really doesn't matter. 

Perhaps the only brand he had for that ram type was that one?

What is the motherboard?

[spikey_richie]

easiest way is to use the PC Part Picker PC builder, put your current system details in (select your motherboard, CPU etc....) then go into RAM and see what's available. 

[devHead]

Pro Tip: NEVER buy computer products from a store that you walk into.  You will invariably end up spending too much money.  
Like others have said, as long as you buy the correct type of RAM (DDR3, DDR4, DDR5) the brand isn't really that important. 

[hellowalkman Reporter]

Like a few others have already suggested, check the QVL (Qualified Vendors' List) for your motherboard. You can be almost certain (like 95% certain) that these memory modules will work when you try memory overclocking using XMP or the new AMD EXPO.

This doesn't mean that mem kits outside the list don't work though. It just means the mobo vendor didn't test the kit with that motherboard model.

[xrobwx71]

This works well.  https://www.crucial.com/store/advisor

[ThaCrip]

Ill just pretty much repeat what's been said, with maybe a little more info ...

RAM brand (and even RAM speed for that matter) probably don't matter too much as main thing is getting the correct type (DDR/DDR2/DDR3/DDR4 etc). but it's probably safer to keep the same RAM brand/model across all of the RAM sticks to lower risk of conflicts.

I suggest running a RAM check after installing it with https://memtest.org/ (which was finally updated in Oct 2022). I would do at least one pass which will take about 1 hour. but it would be a good idea if possible to let it run overnight with say 5-10 passes.

on 2 out of the 3 computers I have the volume of ram sticks is identical brand/model (main PC has a total of two RAM slots, backup desktop has a total of four RAM slots. all are full at their max capacity (2x 8GB DDR3 on main PC, 4x 1GB DDR on backup desktop)). on a laptop, when I got RAM (2x 4GB), while the brand was the same (Samsung) it ended up being a slightly different model between chips. while it was largely the same, it was technically a hair different by model number of the RAM sticks, but no issues at the end of the day.

basically my main PC has Hynix and so does my backup desktop PC while the laptop has Samsung in terms of RAM brand. in fact, come to think of it, all of the installed RAM currently in use on all three of my PC's I got used from Ebay. paid pretty much $45 for my main PC's ram in late 2020 (had motherboard since May 2012) and I think when I upgraded my backup computers RAM to max capacity, as it was dirt cheap when I checked in I think about Jan 2019 for only about $11 if I recall correctly and I don't remember what I paid for the laptop RAM but it was probably somewhere in the $20-30 range.

come to think of it, off the top of my head, I think there is only about a handful of places that produce the actual RAM chips themselves regardless of what brand you get.

TIP: 8GB of RAM or 16GB of RAM tends to offer the most bang-for-the-buck for the vast majority of people in my estimations as going higher than 16GB starts to be a waste of money and any less than 8GB you run a decent risk of performance taking a more noticeable hit.

[Mindovermaster Global Moderator]

Hahaha, Old folks.. Interesting way to start..

Like said above, we need more information than just "I need RAM"

[NinjaGinger]

Sounds like he's trying to get you on the DDR5 bandwagon, but if not, the DDR4 you already have will be OK for your new board as it is for your old board. DDR5 is better, no doubt about it, but still expensive.