Question RAM not appearing in Windows

[Watrevir]

Hi all

I've just upgraded a Lenovo Ideapad 500-5isk that came with one module of 8GB. There are four slots, and I put a 4GB module in the second (both PC12800s). Only 8GB is showing up in BIOS and Windows, but CPU-Z is showing 12GB. According to the manufacturer, this laptop with take 16GB. Any ideas what I might be doing wrong? Plus, I have two 4GB SODIMMS; would it be worth having two 4GB in dual channel rather than 12GB in single channel?

 

[SkyNetRising]

There are 2 ram slots (not 4).
Mixing different module kits doesn't always work perfectly. You should have gone with 2x8GB kit instead.

Try 2x4GB config and see, if that works.
Performance difference between single channel and dual channel is very slight.
Noticeable mainly in benchmarks. Normally you can't tell the difference.

 

[Watrevir]

There are 2 ram slots (not 4).
Mixing different module kits doesn't always work perfectly. You should have gone with 2x8GB kit instead.

Try 2x4GB config and see, if that works.
Performance difference between single channel and dual channel is very slight.
Noticeable mainly in benchmarks. Normally you can't tell the difference.

Thanks. I got the laptop second hand and was just messing around with the modules I had. So there's no way of making it work with this 8GB+4GB unless they're made by the same manufacturer?

 

[Calvin7]

"made by the same manufacturer" is no guarantee they will be compatible together. It may raise your chances of memory working together over random modules, like you have now.

Memory is guaranteed in the form sold. I suggest buying a kit of two and selling the old memory in the used market.