[SOLVED] Why is my motherboard rated for 8GB?

[madware95]

So I have a very cheap Acer OEM motherboard.

I've been upgrading the machine to act as a NAS and game server for some of my friends.

It takes LGA1155 over an H61 express chipset. However, the rated memory capacity confuses me.

The motherboard manual clearly states that it only supports 8GB of DDR3 1600 maximum, but the motherboard chipset, the H61 express, supports up to 16GB maximum. I plan installing an i7-3770, which also supports more than 8GB of memory.

So, what exactly is limiting the motherboard, if both the chipset and installed processor can support higher than 8GB? If I install a 16GB kit, will the PC be unable to address 8GB? I simply do not see a reason for the low capacity rating given the chipset and CPU will support the memory capacity.

Please let me know, thanks.

 

[rgd1101]

could be bios. is there 2 or 4 ram slot?
exact model of this oem motherboard?

 

[madware95]

could be bios. is there 2 or 4 ram slot?
exact model of this oem motherboard?

2 ram slots.
Motherboard is an Acer H61H2-AD.

 

[rgd1101]

Couldn't found anyone try more than 8GB on that motherboard.
you can be the first to try it

 

[madware95]

Couldn't found anyone try more than 8GB on that motherboard.
you can be the first to try it

I think I will if I can get a 16gb kit for a reasonable price. So it's just a matter of chance then? We don't know if the limit specified in the manual is arbitrary or not?

 

[Phaaze88]

I believe what's going on here:
The max capacity - period - is 16GB.
The largest SINGLE DIMM you can use is 8GB.
In other words, if you were to put a single 16GB dimm in that board, it would not work.

The online manual also says 16GB max on page 16, unless Acer were being pricks and bios locked it?

 

[madware95]

I believe what's going on here:
The max capacity - period - is 16GB.
The largest SINGLE DIMM you can use is 8GB.
In other words, if you were to put a single 16GB dimm in that board, it would not work.

The online manual also says 16GB max on page 16, unless Acer were being pricks and bios locked it?

Ah, I see. Good to know as I was planning to two 2 DIMMs of 8.

That manual is very interesting as it specifies the DIMM speed to be 1333MHz, whereas I currently have a 1600MHz kit (2x4GB) running in the board at 1600MHZ.

Acer doesn't appear to be great at documentation.