Question Dual channel - 2x2GB and 2x4GB

[GeorgiaOverdrive]

I have an HP 6300 which has dual channel memory, 2 slots on one (black and white) and 2 slots on the other (black and white). I have two matching sticks of 2GB and two matching sticks of 4GB. Right now I have 2x2GB in one channel and 2x4GB in the other channel, and it is working. But is this best? Would it be better to one 4GB and one 2GB on each channel?

 

[Deleted member 14196]

If it’s working and you’ve mixed ram like you have, then leave it alone

 

[k1114]

The matching sizes should be in matched colors. If you are not, you are running in flex mode which is making 8gb of 12gb in dual and the remaining 4gb in single.

 

[GeorgiaOverdrive]

So it would be best to have the two 4GB sticks in the black ones and the two 2GB sticks in the white ones, right?

 

[k1114]

Yes. The reason they color the slots the same color is so you know which ones the sticks should go into without needing the manual. The reason to have the same amount of ram in each channel is because the data is split to each channel. That's what the difference is from single and dual channel. If one channel has more space then it can't be split and runs in single.

 

[AllanGH]

Start on page 17 of the manual. That might give you a more step-by-step process to follow: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03348601

 

[GeorgiaOverdrive]

Thanks everyone. The manual helped explain why the larger ones would be in different channels. I swapped two sticks to make that happen, and it is working.

 

[rookieGamer]

most motherboards supports dual channel and would have 4ram slots so basically you running two dual channel setup.
so you only got to worry about Ram compatibility in a dual channel not in a quad channel.

now do you need 16gb of ram ? if yes got get another pair of 2x4gb and replace your 2x2gb. if you dont need 16gb of ram and doing fine with 12gb .. then leave your system as it is

 

[GeorgiaOverdrive]

most motherboards supports dual channel and would have 4ram slots so basically you running two dual channel setup.
so you only got to worry about Ram compatibility in a dual channel not in a quad channel.

now do you need 16gb of ram ? if yes got get another pair of 2x4gb and replace your 2x2gb. if you dont need 16gb of ram and doing fine with 12gb .. then leave your system as it is

I usually go with 4x4GB ot 4x8GB, but this one is for my wife. I had some sticks laying around that I thought were all 2GB but two of them were 4GB.

 

[boju]

See figure Dual-channel with four DIMMs

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005657/boards-and-kits.html

Run cpuz and look under memory tab > channels and DC (dual channel) mode. If correct dimms are used cpuz should report dual channel & DC mode = symmetrical.

https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html