plz help with memory upgrade

[boobloo]

Hi, i need advice about putting in more ram in my system. I currently have 1 stick of 2 gb (1333 MHz) ram installed.

my computer parts are listed below (Source: Intel desktop utilities)

Processor Name Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU 540 @ 3.07GHz
Processor Speed 3.059 GHz
Board Intel Corporation DH55PJ
Current Memory Type DDR3 Size 2048 MB (1333 MHz)
The program 'speccy' shows 2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz
Graphics card ATI Radeon HD 5450

My questions are,
1. Can i put in 4 gb (1333 MHz) stick in the other slot??

2. If i put in a 2GB (1333 MHz) stick in the other slot will it convert to dual channel itself or would i have to do some setting to enable it?

3. is it possible to convert my current ram to dual channel? if so how??

I have seen a lot of discussions here involving single channel and dual channel with people favouring dual channel it seems.

I've tried looking up the internet for some time now. Since im no expert in comp h/w i don't feel comfortable and would appreciate direct advice. Your help will be deeply appreciated.

p.s
i'm copying information i found using intel desktop utilities below if that would help

====== Board ======
Manufacturer Intel Corporation
Product Name DH55PJ
Version AAE93812-302
Serial Number BTPJ108006C4
BIOS Version TCIBX10H.86A.0037.2010.0614.1712
BIOS ROM Size 1024 KB
BIOS Release Date 6/14/2010
====== Processor ======
Manufacturer Intel
Processor Name Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU 540 @ 3.07GHz
Processor Speed 3.059 GHz
Stepping 5
Form Factor Other
Hyper-Threading Technology Status Enabled
====== Memory ======
Error Correction None
Maximum System Memory 16 GB
Memory Slots 2
---- CHANNEL A-DIMM 0 ----
Socket Designation CHANNEL A-DIMM 0
Current Memory Type DDR3
Installed Size 2048 MB
Memory Speed 1333 MHz
---- CHANNEL B-DIMM 0 ----
Socket Designation CHANNEL B-DIMM 0
Current Memory Type Unknown
Installed Size No Module Installed
====== Onboard Devices ======
#Device Type Sound
Device Description Realtek High Definition Audio
Device Status Enabled
#Device Type Ethernet
Device Description Intel(R) 82578DC Ethernet
Device Status Enabled
#Device Type Video
Device Description Intel(R) GMA HD Device
Device Status Disabled
====== Hard Drive ======
#Model ST3250318AS
Max. Transfer Mode UDMA 6 (ATA/133)
Active Transfer Mode UDMA 5 (ATA/100)
S.M.A.R.T. Status Enabled
Size 232 GB

 

[Dexter_the_best]

Hi.
1: Aslong as they are running the same voltage, speed and timings you are fine.
2: It will do it by itself.
3: No, you only have 1 stick of RAM at the moment which means you can only run in single channel.
Hope I helped.

 

[cinnamon cider]

1. Yes you can.
2. Yes you can. Just make sure that it has the right timings or your memory controller may set it automatically for you. If not - you'll be needing to configure it manually from the BIOS.
3. Dual Channel is just a MARKETING TERM for two sticks of RAM in a package. Similar to the "Retina" display - which in reality - is just a high pixel density display 300+ dpi.

Or if you're asking if you can buy a two sticks(dual channel) of RAM and install it in you mother board - yes you can. Do note that the maximum memory that it can handle is 8GB. Source: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/motherboards/desktop-motherboards/desktop-board-dh55pj.html

 

[geofelt]

1. yes. Ram over 4gb will not be used unless you have a 64 bit os.
Your motherboard will support up to 8gb.
2. yes, dual will be automatic.
3. no. dual channel comes from using two sticks.

Dual channel increases the effective speed of ram. The actual benefit on app performance with intel cpu's is small, perhaps 3%.

Read your motherboard manual, it should explain your ram options as it applies to your motherboard.

Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.
Although, I think the problem has lessened with the newer Intel chipsets. Still,
it is safer to get what you need in one kit.

You want documented ram compatibility. If you should ever have a problem, you want supported ram.
Otherwise, you risk a finger pointing battle between the ram and motherboard support sites, claiming "not my problem".
One place to check is your motherboards web site.
Look for the ram QVL list. It lists all of the ram kits that have been tested with that particular motherboard.
Sometimes the QVL list is not updated after the motherboard is released.
For more current info, go to a ram vendor's web site and access their ram selection configurator.
Enter your motherboard, and you will get a list of compatible ram kits.
While today's motherboards are more tolerant of different ram, it makes sense to buy ram that is known to work and is supported.

 

[boobloo]

Thank you all for your help.

1 more question if you don't mind. Am i right in assuming that rams of different size (even if both are 1333 mhz) wont run in dual channel??

once again your help is deeply appreciated. I wish i knew about this site when i purchased my pc.

 

[cinnamon cider]

There's a possibility that they won't play nice with each other and suffer cases such as failing to boot or a certain amount of memory can only be detected. Just make sure that they have the same clocks and timings. Your memory controller will probably do the job automatically, but if not - you'll be needing to set it up manually.

If you're planning to do a dual channel set-up - it is most recommended to buy a dual channel kit or buy them individually - but with same clocks and timings. It doesn't have to be the same size. But it'll look nice if your set-up is like 2x4GB, 2x8GB, 4x4GB, etc., right?

If you want to save yourself from any possible troubles - just buy a RAM kit or buy the same RAMs 😉

 

[geofelt]

It is not clear to me if a 2gb and a 4gb setup will run in dual channel.
Perhaps intel could tell you.
But, a pc with 6gb, even in single channel should perform better than a pc with 4gb in dual channel.

If you are at all concerned, I would just buy a 4gb kit of 2 x 2gb, or, better yet, a 8gb kit of 2 x 4gb.

 

[Jopet Cervantes]

There's a possibility that they won't play nice with each other and suffer cases such as failing to boot or a certain amount of memory can only be detected. Just make sure that they have the same clocks and timings. Your memory controller will probably do the job automatically, but if not - you'll be needing to set it up manually.

If you're planning to do a dual channel set-up - it is most recommended to buy a dual channel kit or buy them individually - but with same clocks and timings. It doesn't have to be the same size. But it'll look nice if your set-up is like 2x4GB, 2x8GB, 4x4GB, etc., right?

If you want to save yourself from any possible troubles - just buy a RAM kit or buy the same RAMs 😉

hi cinnamon cider,

Is it possible to only put 8gb x 1 ram stick in the ram slot? not 4gb X 2 ram stick?

note - using DH55PJ intel motherboard

Thank you and hope for your reply

 

[cinnamon cider]

hi cinnamon cider,

Is it possible to only put 8gb x 1 ram stick in the ram slot? not 4gb X 2 ram stick?

note - using DH55PJ intel motherboard

Thank you and hope for your reply

Sadly, you can't. You can only use a max of 4GB with 1333MHz. See more in here