Apollo Lake Celeron J3455 / Maximum RAM

[colbypr]

Been a long time reader and computer enthusiast for many years, but I have come to a question I can't really find a definitive answer on.

I'm getting ready to replace a 1st Gen i7 950 I use as a virtualization machine with something different. I'm looking at the Apollo Lake chips, and currently, the Celeron J3455 which will more than suit my needs. On the processor ARK for Intel, it lists the maximum supported memory at 8gb.

ASUS and ASRock both have boards with this chip, and they list the maximum memory at 16 gigs, which is somewhat confusing to me, as the processor is not upgradeable on the board. Can anyone help explain why ARK lists it at 8gb, but the two motherboard manufacturers list 16 gigs? On ASUS's QVL, it has combinations of 8gb sticks being used in both sockets, but I always thought that if Intel says 8gb is the max, 8gb is it.. and you can't run 16 gigs. Obviously, 16 gigs is more desirable with virtualization, but I'm trying to figure this out as I'll likely buy board and ram at the same time.

I appreciate any help you can all offer. Thank you.

 

[Karsten75]

I don't have a definitive answer, but there's something really screwy with the ASRock board, at the very least. I've not looked at the Asus one.

For openers, it is my understanding that Intel has dropped VGA support and *only* supports HDMI, DP and eDP monitor connections, yet the ASRock board claims D-Sub monitor support? I suppose it's entirely possible that they routed the eDP output to a simple converter to suport d-Sub (VGA), but still...

On the same vein, I'd take Intel's word for how much RAM that baby will support.

Lastly, your decision to downgrade this drastically is quite surprising. Although the Apollo lake Celeron is many generations newer than the i7 you are replacing, it is still significantly lower-performing. I'm also not sure that I've ever before come across someone intending to use a Celeron processor in a virtualization role. Again, the chp does support it, so I guess "good luck"?

Of course, switching from a 130W processor to a 10W processor will give you fantastic environmentals..