Can I run ram in dual channel in none specified dimm slots?

[cory norris]

My motherboard is a msi z87-g45 with four ram slots labeled 1 through 4. My question is if it specifically states that my dual channel (2x4gb 1333mhz) ram should run in slots 2 and 4 could i switch them to slots 1 and 2? the reason i ask is because i recently found out that my 3 and 4 slots don't work anymore when i turned on my pc and it would just give me a black screen. I'm wondering if i can switch the dual channel ram to the first two slots so that i can run in dual channel (8gb) instead of only running one 4gb stick. My motherboard isn't under warranty anymore and i'm wondering as well if it would even be safe to run this motherboard if its having this problem as i don't feel like replacing it right now because of money reasons. thanks in advance!

Note: i just wanted to add that i found out which slots weren't working through about an hour or two of process of elimination and some light breadboarding.

 

[USAFRet]

It will run, just not in dual channel mode. It will be slightly slower.
And no, I do not believe you can designate 1 & 2 to be the relevant slots.

How old is this motherboard? Is it still under warranty?

 

[cory norris]

It will run, just not in dual channel mode. It will be slightly slower.
And no, I do not believe you can designate 1 & 2 to be the relevant slots.

How old is this motherboard? Is it still under warranty?

i want to say its about a year and a half old i bought it right when it came out and actually have already rma'd for another reason and they sent me a new one so technically its probably only 6-8 months old.

 

[USAFRet]

It will run, just not in dual channel mode. It will be slightly slower.
And no, I do not believe you can designate 1 & 2 to be the relevant slots.

How old is this motherboard? Is it still under warranty?

i want to say its about a year and a half old i bought it right when it came out and actually have already rma'd for another reason and they sent me a new one so technically its probably only 6-8 months old.

Send it back. It's broken.

 

[Tradesman1]

You might try loosening the CPU cooler then snugging it back down, not real tight, but snug, often people overtighten in a corner or side which can throw off proper contact with the pins in the slot and affect the memory controller, see this 3-5 times a week here. If not, I'd RMA and probably demand a NEW tested mobo, MSI isn't well known for their QC

 

[cory norris]

You might try loosening the CPU cooler then snugging it back down, not real tight, but snug, often people overtighten in a corner or side which can throw off proper contact with the pins in the slot and affect the memory controller, see this 3-5 times a week here. If not, I'd RMA and probably demand a NEW tested mobo, MSI isn't well known for their QC

would that happen even if i've had it running in this setup for like half a year? actually i think its been closer to like nine months

 

[Tradesman1]

It would be worth a try, might well be the slots just went bad, but if you RMA you might find them saying not their fault and offering to 'fix' it at a cost that may exceed the price of the mobo