Is this possible?

[thebigcheese]

So my computer has 4 RAM slots (2 banks of 2), and I'm going to upgrade my RAM.

Right now I have 2GB in 2 slots (4GB total), and I know I if I have 2GB ram in one slot, I should also have the same 2GB in the other slot, just like the way it came with.

But does this apply to the banks (if that's even what they're called) as well? Can I have 2 slots with 2GB and one with 4GB or should I just get 2GB RAM to each of my other 2 slots?

Not sure if I was confusing...

So do I have to do 2x2 + 2x2 (8GB total) or can I go with 2x2 + 1x4 (8GB total)?

In case I wasn't clear about the banks thing, I found it here: http://www.mrmemory.co.uk/memory/product.asp?ProductID=67640

Thanks in advance!

 

[itzdanielp]

Since it is in 2 banks of 2 that points towards the motherboard using Dual Channel memory.

So yes, you could add 1x4GB, but you would lose the performance boost of Dual Channel, so it would be better to add 2x2GB.


Also, it is always a good idea to not mix RAM. 99% of the time it will work properly. but not always.

 

[thebigcheese]

lose the performance boost of Dual Channel

Sorry I didn't quite understood that...

Can you please explain exactly what that would mean?

 

[itzdanielp]

Dual channel splits what it is doing into 2 streams, which are done simultaneously.

Single channel just does it in 1 long stream.


Dual channel requires 2 RAM sticks (same size / speed) in order to function properly.

if you put 1x4GB stick in, it will be forced to work in single channel mode which is slower.

 

[thebigcheese]

Dual channel splits what it is doing into 2 streams, which are done simultaneously.

Single channel just does it in 1 long stream.


Dual channel requires 2 RAM sticks (same size / speed) in order to function properly.

if you put 1x4GB stick in, it will be forced to work in single channel mode which is slower.

Understood, but that would only go for the last 4GB RAM, correct? The first 4GB would work as they usually do, right?

 

[itzdanielp]

Correct, but if you are adding more RAM, than I assume the system will be using it. Therefore the some processes will work more quickly than others.


Yes you can do it that way, but it is better to keep it in Dual Channel mode for performance reasons.

 

[thebigcheese]

Correct, but if you are adding more RAM, than I assume the system will be using it. Therefore the some processes will work more quickly than others.


Yes you can do it that way, but it is better to keep it in Dual Channel mode for performance reasons.

Well, I don't normally need more than 4GB RAM, except when I render videos with Sony Vegas, which is about once a week and lasts for about an hour or 2, depending on how big the video is...

 

[itzdanielp]

Rendering is definitely something that could benefit from dual channel.

What CPU are you using? That could do more for improving the time than extra RAM can

 

[k1114]

Correction, all sticks will be in single channel if 3 sticks are installed. It cannot run dual and single at the same time. The same reason sticks need to be identical to be compatible as all the same settings are applied to each stick.

 

[Guest]

Actually, its all dual channel or none.

If you have 2x2gb and 1x4gb, it will run them all in single channel mode.

You are better off with 2x2gb + 2x2gb, or even 2x4gb (pretty cheap in ddr3).

 

[swifty_morgan]

any time I ever had 4 1gig sticks or 4 2gig sticks they always ran in dual channel mode...........

 

[thebigcheese]

Rendering is definitely something that could benefit from dual channel.

What CPU are you using? That could do more for improving the time than extra RAM can

Intel Core i5 650 @ 3.2GHz (not overclocked).

Correction, all sticks will be in single channel if 3 sticks are installed. It cannot run dual and single at the same time. The same reason sticks need to be identical to be compatible as all the same settings are applied to each stick.

Hmm so does that mean the sticks have to be EXACTLY the same? Even the same brand?

Or can I have 4x2GB DDR3 @ 1333MHz but the second ones of a different brand?

 

[k1114]

Not brand but specs, timings, voltage, and speed.

 

[thebigcheese]

Not brand but specs, timings, voltage, and speed.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4031/ramw.png

Uh, what else should I find out about my RAM?

And, you know... How do I find it...?

 

[thebigcheese]

240 Pin DDR3 PC3-10600 1333MHz 2GB

Is that everything I need to know?

 

[k1114]

You'll need to check the voltage in bios. But truthfully I don't think a ram upgrade will help much. I can't find a definitive answer but if you have the imedia s3800 it looks like the mobo only supports 8gb max because it only supports 2gb per stick max.