Question Memory uprade 8 to 16GB

[I am Dad]

I have 4 slots with 2 GB each and want to go up to 16. Do I have to fill all 4 slots with 4 GB cards or could I use 2-8GB cards leaving 2 slots empty?

 

[SchizTech]

What is the make and model of the system (or the motherboard if a hand made system)?

 

[I am Dad]

its an Acer Aspire M5910 Ei7860. The motherboard is a H57H-AM2
http://www.findlaptopdriver.com/h57h-am2-v2-0-motherboard-specifications-20h090713/

 

[SchizTech]

It looks like that's a bit of an older model, so it's limited to 4GB per slot. The max RAM is 16GB which would equate to 4 sticks.

When you see X is the max supported RAM over Y slots, each slot can take X/Y GB. Rather than add two sticks, it's recommended to get a set sold together as 4x4GB. Mixing RAM may or may not work.

 

[I am Dad]

Thanks for your help, I got the idea of using 8GB from the Max supported size line on here,
https://www.cnet.com/products/acer-aspire-m5910-ei7860-tower-core-i7-860-2-8-ghz-8-gb-1-5-tb/
I figured potentially running 2 RAM would be a little quicker than running 4, as well as cheaper.