What order to install Ram 2x2 and 2x4?

[mikbug08]

I have 2 x 2GB (Crucial) sticks currently installed in my HP Elite 8200SFF. They are in slots 1 & 3. I would like to install more Ram, preferably 2 x 4GB (Ballistix) which I am told is compatible with the currently installed Ram and my Motherboard. Does it matter if the new Ram is installed in the empty slots or should I switch them around (ie- 4-2, 4-2 instead of 2-4, 2-4)?

 

[Lutfij]

Mixing and matching rams to get a cumulative number is horrible practice. In fact you should be buying ram kits and using only a kit since they will be binned accordingly from the factory. On another note, you should stick with the 2x4GB pair you have and ditch the 2x2GB pair however...I'm very curious to learn what the make and model of the rams are.

It'd help two fold if you could pass on the specs to your HP 8200 Elite SFF unit.

Per the service guide, page 79-80, you should look at 4x4GB DDR3-1333MHz 1.5v kits to populate the slots to it's maximum capacity of 16GB.

 

[mikbug08]

Mixing and matching rams to get a cumulative number is horrible practice. In fact you should be buying ram kits and using only a kit since they will be binned accordingly from the factory. On another note, you should stick with the 2x4GB pair you have and ditch the 2x2GB pair however...I'm very curious to learn what the make and model of the rams are.

It'd help two fold if you could pass on the specs to your HP 8200 Elite SFF unit.

 

[Rdslw]

Stuff like that works but in general its not recommended. Do it only if you really need more ram and make sure you bench it on 2x4GB and full to make sure it does not slow you down.
It should not matter what config you will put sticks in, still keep pairs in odd slots (1&3) (2&4) if it will not work just turn off and swap (bench it each time!).

 

[Lutfij]

With HP's BIOS being very nitpicky in itself, trying to troubleshoot what's amiss is more headache than the investment in the rams. I don't mind being down voted, it's not my system after all

Oh, make sure you're on the latest BIOS revision courtesy of HP's support site.
*I edited my post above.