Does RAM have to go into a certain slot?

[jrfitz1998]

Hello,
I am a novice PC builder, and while I was scouring the internet looking for info on my next build. I happened across a couple of videos where the narrator states "make sure that you put the second stick in a slot of the same color as the first"
does it really make that much of a difference? or is it just user preference?
Just wondering because I'm only using two sticks of DDR4 (2x8) for the build.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dunlop0078]

Well for dual channel mode with 4 slots and two sticks, you will either have to use slots 1 and 3 or slots 2 and 4. Every four slot mobo I have had recommended using slots 2 and 4.

 

[vapour]

It is not user-preference but how motherboard consumes ram, always refer to motherboard manual for ram slots

 

[jrfitz1998]

Well for dual channel mode with 4 slots and two sticks, you will either have to use slots 1 and 3 or slots 2 and 4. Every four slot mobo I have had recommended using slots 2 and 4.

So, what happens if I do not put them in the correlating slots?

 

[vapour]

pc can not boot if you put ram in wrong slots/differently as motherboard specifies.

 

[Dunlop0078]

Well for dual channel mode with 4 slots and two sticks, you will either have to use slots 1 and 3 or slots 2 and 4. Every four slot mobo I have had recommended using slots 2 and 4.

So, what happens if I do not put them in the correlating slots?

In slots 1 and 2 or 2 and 4 you would be running the RAM in single channel mode which can reduce performance in some applications.

I think with most boards slots 1 and 3 and 2 and 4 can be used interchangeably, I believe the recommendation to use 2 and 4 is just for CPU cooler clearance. However there may be some trace length difference or some other difference I am not aware of that makes 2 and 4 better than 1 and 3.

 

[Dunlop0078]

pc can not boot if you put ram in wrong slots/differently as motherboard specifies.

I can put my sticks in any slot I want and my mobo will boot. I don't believe that is true.

 

[vapour]

Some examples: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1768227/computer-boot-ram-slots.html

and motherboard manual clearly shows where to put ram correctly, even if you can boot with your motherboard, still recommending following the manual.

 

[jrfitz1998]

You both have very valid points!
thank you for your input!
I'll make sure to read the manual very carefully for my next build!

 

[Dunlop0078]

Some examples: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1768227/computer-boot-ram-slots.html

and motherboard manual clearly shows where to put ram correctly, even if you can boot with your motherboard, still recommending following the manual.

Well I would agree, follow the manual not saying otherwise.

What is that an example of? Their RAM didn't work in any configuration. Tradesman recommended the OP RMA the RAM and got best answer.

 

[vapour]

Maybe a bad example, but I have seen more than 10 threads reporting issue with 2 ram sticks at wrong slots and can not boot for modern builds. They can boot only after putting ram in 2nd and 4th slots.