Can I upgrade my RAM to 16GB if the new stick has a Different Clock Speed?

Strider123 · September 16

The existing 8gb ram has a maximum clock speed of 1600 Mhz and i want to upgrade it to 16gb by adding another 8 gb ram stick. Should the clock speed of both the sticks be same or it can be different.

[Edited the thread to add issue detail to the title]

GAMING6698 · September 16

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/712661/ram-upgrade

Yes, not only the speed but all specs like voltage, CAS latency (CL) rate, size, frequency, and whether it's DDR4 or DDR5 need to be the same for optimal 16GB dual channel performance.

You can check all these specs from CPU-Z. CPU-Z also provides the model number of the RAM, which you can search on Google for the exact specifications.

For a new RAM purchase, check out Crucial RAM of the same speed. It probably has the same specs. But still, compare both RAMs and make sure all specs match.

The key points are:

RAM speed is not the only important factor for dual channel performance. Voltage, CAS latency, size, and DDR version must also match.
Use CPU-Z to check all RAM specifications, including the model number.
When buying new RAM, look for the same speed and model if possible. If not then, Compare all specs to ensure compatibility.
Matching all RAM specifications is crucial for getting the full benefits of dual channel memory.