Gigabyte Z170X Gaming 5 RAM Config

[Helicity]

I just built my first PC last weekend and I am having trouble figuring out which RAM slots to insert my 2 sticks of DDR4 RAM. The manual displays this:

So I figured that I wanted to use "Channel A" which correspond to slots DDR4_2 and DDR4_4.

The result is my RAM configuration on the motherboard looked like this:

I posted my build to pcpartpicker.com and people began to say that my RAM configuration was wrong. I have since moved my RAM so that now it is in the black slots (DDR4_3 and DDR4_4) because someone who has a gigabyte motherboard so that this was the correct configuration:

Is my current RAM configuration (the black slots) correct? I'm just really confused about what the manual is trying to explain.

 

[manleysteele]

Your present setup is fine, although I would have populated 1 and 2, vice 3 and 4. In other words, the red slots before the black slots. The chart in your manual clearly indicates that slots 1 and 2 are paired and that slots 3 and 4 are paired. This is also indicated by the connector coloring.

 

[Dulith1118]

if i were u i would be using the slot 1 and 3 not 2 and 4

 

[turkey3_scratch]

It'a simple: Put them in the same-colored slots for dual-channel mode and double the memory bandwidth. You have it correct now.

 

[Helicity]

It'a simple: Put them in the same-colored slots for dual-channel mode and double the memory bandwidth. You have it correct now.

Oh so by the meaning of Channels A and B, dual-channel means that you have a stick in both A and B? If so, then "duh me...." *facepalm*

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Just put them in the same colored slots, that's all you need. What makes it dual channel is the physical wires and the configuration going from the CPU to the memory modules.

 

[Helicity]

Just put them in the same colored slots, that's all you need. What makes it dual channel is the physical wires and the configuration going from the CPU to the memory modules.

But what I'm asking, I guess in simpler terms, is if dual-channel means that both channels A and B have RAM sticks in them?

 

[lepermessiah]

Just put them in the same colored slots, that's all you need. What makes it dual channel is the physical wires and the configuration going from the CPU to the memory modules.

But what I'm asking, I guess in simpler terms, is if dual-channel means that both channels A and B have RAM sticks in them?

Yes: Channel A slots are numbered 2 and 4. Channel B slots are numbered 1 and 3. Your RAM currently occupies slots 3(B) and 4(A); hence dual channel.

 

[manleysteele]

Your present setup is fine, although I would have populated 1 and 2, vice 3 and 4. In other words, the red slots before the black slots. The chart in your manual clearly indicates that slots 1 and 2 are paired and that slots 3 and 4 are paired. This is also indicated by the connector coloring.

 

[Helicity]

Thanks everyone. I realize now it was a dumb thing to ask. I'll switch the RAM sticks to the red slots.

 

[manleysteele]

Thanks everyone. I realize now it was a dumb thing to ask. I'll switch the RAM sticks to the red slots.

Not dumb at all. No one is born knowing any of this stuff.