Can't Install A 4th Stick Of Ram

[zazally]

Hello everyone. I decided to upgrade my ram from 8 gigs to 16 gigs. I got a small problem though. I use a Noctua NH-U14S CPU Cooler (NH-U14S) and I can't fit my 4th stick of ram in. It is impossible since there is no room to get the 4th stick in since the CPU cooler is so big. I was wondering should I just keep 3 sticks in which is 12 gigs or should I go back to 8 gigs. My ram is G.Skill DDR3 Ripjaws X C9 1600MHz. Thank you so much for reading and I look forward to reading your replies. Take care.

 

[zazally]

I got 4 ram sticks, but sadly each stick is only worth 4 gigs.

Edit Reason: I am not very smart with computers, but I heard from somewhere it is best to run ram in dual channel or whatever. For example to have ram in the same color slots. I only got 3 sticks in so I got 2 sticks in the green slots, 1 in a black slot, and sadly there is another empty black slot but I can't get my ram in due to my CPU cooler. I am just wondering if this is safe. Thank you.

Someone told me to use 2 or 4 sticks. He said never use 3? Is this true? Thank you.

 

[zazally]

b

 

[zazally]

b

 

[pm4]

It is better to use them in pairs, but if your PC boot and register 12GB you should be fine. Every motherboard / ram can act different.

If you have problem with height of fan closer to ram, you can try to move it up, if your case have enough space for it.
Depending on size of your ram few mm may be enough.
Minus of this approach is that fan won''t blow on bottom part of heatsink so it will lower performance of cooler a little.
It's up to you if you want this tradeoff.

Another option is to get low profile rams but that would mean buying 2 or best all 4 new rams which will be ofc expensive.