Mixing 2 GB Ram with 2x 512 MB on Dual Channel system

[dax42]

Hi all,

I would like to install some more RAM into a Dell OptiPlex GX620. It is running a 32 bit version of Windows 7. It has 2 dual channels for RAM, so 4 slots in total. At the moment it uses 2x 512 MB (PC2-5300) in one of the dual channels, the other is empty.

I have here one PC2-5300 RAM module that is 2GB, can I use that in one of the slots of the other bank to make my PC use 3GBs of RAM in total?

Alternatively, I also have one PC2-6400 RAM module of 4GB, could I use that as the sole RAM module on the PC to increase my memory to 4GB?

Which option would be better?
Thanks!

 

[afrobacon]

You can do any configuration you want; just remember that speed will default to the slowest stick.

 

[ahnilated]

Have you even bothered to check if those ram amounts are supported by the motherboard that is in there?

 

[Shaun o]

You need to check what the max capacity of ram the board can support with the four memory slots.

It`s not as simple as you think because if the board is old there will be a maximum density of memory on each memory stick that a slot will support.

Your second problem is, by adding another memory stick to the existing two 512mb sticks you are causing a memory controller conflict.

The existing x2 512 sticks will be running in dual channel memory mode.
When you add another single 2gb or 4gb you are forcing single channel memory mode or a conflict.

I doubt the board supports a memory module density of 4gb. or 2gb so i would check on the dell website for the max memory population of the board over the four memory slots provided.

 

[dax42]

Thanks, afrobacon.

That means a dual RAM channel can be used with a single RAM module?

Also, when looking at the Crucial memory website for the Dell OptiPlex GX620, a single 4GB RAM module doesn't come up in the list of compatible modules. The maximum RAM it can accept is 4GB according to manufacturer, but does that have to be as 2x2GB or will it be able to read the 4GB module?

 

[dax42]

How do I check what the board supports? I currently don't have physical access to it… are there any online resources?

Thanks!

 

[dax42]

Ok so let's assume that the board only allows RAM modules up to 2GB memory (that's what it looks like from the crucial website). What would be best:
* keeping the 2x512 MB in the one bank and adding 1x 2GB in the other
* filling only one bank, with 1x 512MB and 1x2GB
* have 1x 512MB in one bank and 1x 2GB in the other (i.e. both banks half filled)
* simply using the 1x2GB stick on its own
?

I'd be grateful for a helpful reply!