New RAM but in which order (does it even matter?)

[AstroManny]

So I have four sticks of RAM (4x8gb HyperX 2400mhz)which I bought in kit of four ofcourse. Before when I had only two sticks (4x4gb Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz) so I bought another kit of two of the same. There were some issues like my PC wasn't starting up. Then I changed the order of the sticks and then it started working. Does it matter in which order I put sticks of RAM although it was in kit of four? Is it gonna work when my motherboard is dual-channel?

 

[thejackal85]

If you are sure your motherboard is dual channel, and they support the modules you bought, then yes, they should work. But the order in which they go in is motherboard specific; none of us will be able to tell you without the motherboard model.

So here's what I would do, google the motherboard model RAM config and see what it says. I would also verify that the dual channel supports 1600, it might only support 2400/3300.

 

[Tradesman1]

If it's a four slot dual channel mobo, then No, it doesn't matter, just put all 4 in and go. If it's an 8 slot mobo will want them all in the #1 slots (A1, B1, C1, and D1) or the #2 slots (A2, B2, etc)

 

[DeadlyDays]

you want the kits in the same channel since they are rated/tested working together(most consumer boards are not picky on the ram and do not care, but occasionally they will). typically boards go channel 1,2,1,2 for slots 1,2,3,4.
So kit 1 would be split to slots 1, and 3, kit 2 would be in slots 2, and 4.

If all 4 are the same kit, then it shouldn't matter. but of course it wasn't tested like that so who knows, but typically doesn't matter. If you are having issues could also be related to motherboard assuming improper ram settings like voltage/etc

Check manual for motherboard to see which slots are which channels, and keep the same kit in the same channel or set it not to use them together in a channel and just be a bunch of ram sticks(which I believe is possible....)

 

[Tradesman1]

you want the kits in the same channel since they are rated/tested working together(most consumer boards are not picky on the ram and do not care, but occasionally they will). typically boards go channel 1,2,1,2 for slots 1,2,3,4.
So kit 1 would be split to slots 1, and 3, kit 2 would be in slots 2, and 4.

Check manual for motherboard to see which slots are which channels, and keep the same kit in the same channel or set it not to use them together in a channel and just be a bunch of ram sticks(which I believe is possible....)

________________

It's a set of 4 sticks. And it's never a good idea to mix packages of sticks, even two packages of the same exact model, there's no guarantees they will play nice. I don't know a single mobo or DRAM manufacturer let alone a good builder, that would advocate ,ixing sets of DRAM

 

[DeadlyDays]

What you should do and what you end up doing are often two very separate things.

I'm not advocated what should be done, I'm advocating what can be done and if you do it then do it in this way and here are the risks.
Like my old gaming rig ran 2 separate 2 stick kits which were both rated at different voltages, and neither ran at the others recommended voltages, but I got it to work fine and tested stable.
Limiting your advise to only manufacturers suggestions and you mind as well just advise people read the manual(which actually helps a lot tbh, but who reads the manuals....)
The listed kits on memory sheets are almost always priced with a premium higher than other kits, and if there is no tangible difference and it works why pay the premium.

Consumer boards typically mix and match just fine as long as the speeds/voltages are all the same. Workstation and server boards almost never mix and match, you almost have to follow tested memory lists.

Its other peoples choices to bet or not bet on it, I'm not their nanny. I inform them there is a risk, and that meets my morale obligation.

 

[Tradesman1]

What you should do and what you end up doing are often two very separate things.

I'm not advocated what should be done, I'm advocating what can be done and if you do it then do it in this way and here are the risks.
Like my old gaming rig ran 2 separate 2 stick kits which were both rated at different voltages, and neither ran at the others recommended voltages, but I got it to work fine and tested stable.
Limiting your advise to only manufacturers suggestions and you mind as well just advise people read the manual(which actually helps a lot tbh, but who reads the manuals....)
The listed kits on memory sheets are almost always priced with a premium higher than other kits, and if there is no tangible difference and it works why pay the premium.

Consumer boards typically mix and match just fine as long as the speeds/voltages are all the same. Workstation and server boards almost never mix and match, you almost have to follow tested memory lists.

_____________

Again, he bought a 4 stick set, not trying two sets of two. Might also want to just look through the forums, it's full of people trying to mix sets of DRAM (often two identical, same model sets, and having problem after problem. I spend a lot of time here in the memory area helping (trying to help) Might look at my article, items 2 and 6 in particular

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-myths,4155.html

 

[bizee]

I had the same issue but just deduced my ram issue. My wife's desktop (with 3 gb ram) was having issues booting up (since the Windows 2004 version update), so I took her hard drive out and put into my desktop (with 6 gb ram). For reasons unknown, her hard drive booted up on my desktop, so I took some updates and got the latest update for Windows (version 20H2). So with her hard drive still in my desktop, I checked the ram and noticed that it was showing 6 gb installed but only 3.25 gb useable. It also showed a 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor. That made me think. So I took her hard drive out, put mine back in. I am now showing all 6 gb of ram useable, and a 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor.
Conclusion is the problem or issue was the 32 vs. 64 bit operating system.