Why "slot 2 and slot 4" and not "slot 1 and slot 3"?

[Mr Drummer]

I have just received my "Asus Z97-AR" motherboard and the "Corsair Vengeance Pro DDR3L 1600MHz 16GB (2 x 8GB)" that's going along with it. I wonder though why i nearly every video i've seen they're installing the two ram sticks in slot 2 and slot 4. Why is that? Can't i just aswell install my two 8GB sticks in slot 1 and slot 3? I mean, as long as i install the sticks in ram slots with the same colour i should be fine, right?

thanks in advance
Izak80

 

[Tradesman1]

Should be able to use either - 1-3 were long the preferred slots as they are the first encountered in the circuitry for each channel, many mobo makers suggest 2-4 (especially for enthusiast rigs as there are more and more larger CPU coolers that may overhang the slots. Some may respond better to 2-4 due to BIOS programming, but basically should be able to use either combo

 

[Rogue Leader]

Most likely because if you're only running 2 its a little further away from the CPU which will keep them cooler. I can't see any other reason.

 

[USAFRet]

Same color slots, no problem. 1 & 3 or 2 & 4.

Why 2 & 4? Because there may be a spacing conflict with one of the larger air coolers. A CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO, perhaps. The fan can overhang slot 1, and RAM with tall cooling fins will cause a conflict.

 

[Mr Drummer]

I've got an old "Noctua Noctua NH-U12P" with one fan pointed towards the ram-slots. Since i haven't installed anything yet i don't know if my cooler's gonna hinder me from installing anything in the first slot, i think it isn't though.

 

[Tradesman1]

If it does you can move the fan up a bit with the wire clips 😉

 

[Mr Drummer]

Yeah, maybe.