Ram upgrade question

Which slot(s) will enable me to get another gig of ram so that I have 3 gigs? Better question; does it make a difference if I install in the 2-3-4 slots?

The situation is this, I can't utilize the first slot on my mobo because the add on cpu cooler covers that slot.Therefore presently I use the 2 and 4 slots with my Asus P5Q SE2 mobo.

 

correct me if im wrong, i dont think it will make a difference

 

The slots matter if you want to use the dual channel ability. If you have memory in slots 2 and 4 you are in dual channel right now. If you add a module to slot 3 and leave slot 1 empty, you will run in single channel which means that whenever you use less than 2GB of memory you'll actually run slower.

 

Bottom line, get a cooler that fits.

 

All so i will add to this make sure the RAM chips are the same as the other ones if they are not it will make your pc run slower.Rather then faster.

I no this

 

No - that is a blanket statement that is not necessarily true. You are assuming the new modules are less capable - bad assumption. They may be bigger and faster, in which case, the PC will perform better. But also note, depending on the original RAM specifications, the PC may perform better with slower RAM simply because there is more RAM for the CPU and OS to work with, which reducing the need and frequency to use the Page File on the slow hard drive.

 

And in addition to what Digerati said, what is installed on the computer and how it is used is almost as much of a factor as the hardware plugged into the motherboard.

 

Your other post was helpful but this one presumes that there are no other options. I was curious as to how to proceed.

Some of us are new to building our own computers and I for one am not as knowledgeable as you, don't be so condescending.

 

or simply dump your 1GB chips and buy 2GB chips ...

 

Condescending? If condescending, I would have made a comment about reading your manual and following the instructions therein. You put too big of a cooler in and it is blocking your slot - how is saying to get a cooler that fits condescending? If your desire is to continue to use parts not right for your setup, then you put yourself in that position, not me.

So I say again, you need to get a cooler that fits so that you can utilize the slots correctly. CLEARLY shown on page 1-12 of your manual, slot 1 (DIMM_A1) is to be used for all memory configurations except when using a single memory module. Your cooler blocks slot 1. So once again, the bottom line is you need to get a cooler that fits. Since the OEM coolers are designed to cool the CPUs effectively, AND fit correctly, and since motherboard makers use the OEM cooler dimensions when determining component layout, I recommend you use a cooler designed for the job. Many 3rd party coolers are incompatible with many motherboards. They either cover slots, or hit tall capacitors surrounding the CPU socket.

Did your CPU come with a HSF assembly? If so, note Intel's warranty is void if using something other than what was supplied.

Intel CPU Warranty Information (my bold added)

Intel warrants the Product (defined as the boxed Intel® processor and the accompanying thermal solution)... ... if the Product is properly used and installed, for a period of three (3) years. This Limited Warranty does NOT cover:

• damage to the Product due to external causes, including accident, problems with electrical power, abnormal electrical, mechanical or environmental conditions, usage not in accordance with product instructions, misuse, neglect, alteration, repair, improper installation, or improper testing; OR
• any Product which has been modified or operated outside of Intel's publicly available specifications​

AMD CPU Warranty Information (their bold)

AMD is more straightforward on their page where it says the following concerning their retail, Processor In A Box (PIB), versions of their CPUs:

This Limited Warranty shall be null and void if the AMD microprocessor which is the subject of this Limited Warranty is used with any heatsink/fan other than the one provided herewith. ​

The good news is since both AMD and Intel warranty their boxed CPUs for three years, and since replacing them at their cost is not something they want to do, both make excellent cooling solutions both in terms of cooling abilities, but also in noise levels.

But more importantly for your situation, they make coolers that fit properly.

 

Ey, there no need to argue, if hes got a cooler thats too big thats just his system, and there are ways around it ... some coolers are made to be to big, mine is, I run a ThermalTake DuOrb and it does the entire top half of the motherboard, difference being, it sits above the RAM if his cooler is too big, so be it, he'll just have to remove his 1GB sticks and buy 2 2GB sticks.

 

No argument intended. I'm just here to help folks help themselves maintain their systems so they can concentrate on fending off the badguys set on hurting them.

To your point of the cooler, the key is, your cooler sits above the RAM, and that's great because that also means the RAM benefits from the air flow too. But note your case must therefore be wide enough too - some are pretty slim and don't allow it.

Ummm, how are 2Gb sticks going to fit under his 3rd party cooler when 1Gb don't?

 

Yes but, correct me if I'm wrong but he said he currently uses slots 2 and 4 ... so he may as well dump his 1GBs and slot 2GBs in there ...

 

Ther are alway around a problem.
I have got GTX260 graphics card that stops me using 1 and 3 so i have to use 2 and 4 but they work perfectly.

 

Hey, if you guys have personal experience with the ASUS P5Q SE2 motherboard, then great! I yield. Because I don't, so I have nothing to go on but the manual. So not wanting to give bad advice, I downloaded the manual from ASUS - where I noted on 1-12, the following:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z181/Digerati_Bill/One-Time%20Upload/MajorGeek-RAM-HSF.jpg
Both the chart and the last sentence suggest to me, with 2 sticks, he needs to stick the RAM in 1 and 2 to take advantage of dual-channel.

I do know by experience with some boards, you are right, you can use either channel with only two sticks. But some boards insist on using channel 1 for two sticks, then channel 2 if using four sticks. So I will say this to Howmanator - you cannot damage the motherboard or RAM by trying them in 2 and 4 and see if it works. You may have to enable display of the boot process in the BIOS to verify dual channel is enabled.

 

Fair enough ... this is directed to howmanator ... perhaps you can turn your cooler 90 degrees?? mine you can but yours you may not be able to ...

 

I am also no authority on this just to say it worked for me.
My Mobo is an Asus P45R200 and when i built the PC i asked a friend of mine who knows about these things and it was him who suggested 2 and 4
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/2324/dsc095226064228.jpg

 

Hmmm, for a minute there, I was confused as to why I could not find anything about that board. Then I looked at the picture a little closer. While I do understand ASRock is made by ASUS, they are not interchangeable. That is an ASRock P45R200 - not an ASUS P45200 (or 2000), and it supports both DDR2 and DDR3 - so it definitely handles memory a bit differently. I note on page 20 of your manual, with DDR3, it shows you can use 1 and 3, or 2 and 4.
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z181/Digerati_Bill/One-Time%20Upload/MajorGeek-RAM-HSF-2.jpg

 

Sorry my mistake, as i said i know very little about changing ram and yes i am running 2X2gb of DDR3.

 

No problem.

 

Now this was helpful Digerati,
and I noticed on page 1-15:

B*; Supports one pair of modules inserted into either the yellow slots or the black slots as one pair of dual-channel memory configuration.

Also as per your suggestion, I checked the BIOS and it says "ddr2 dual interleaved mode". I thank you all for your input and most of all I apologize to Digerati for taking the one response the wrong way

 

No problem! Because technical issues can be confusing (even for seasoned users) I try to be frank and precise to minimize confusion (for me too) - which I admit, can come off as a bit harsh.

Now wait. Note the "*"? If you look at the compatibility charts just above that, I am pretty sure all that means is that brand and model number RAM was tested and passed for use in those slots. It is not saying you have the choice of either pair with just 2 sticks.

That said, "dual interleave mode" is the same as dual-channel, so it would seem you are good to go.

 

Not to belabor the topic, but I got the added ram I wanted with 4gigs of pc2 8500, the price was too good to pass up (55.00 +$10 mail-in rebate).

One other thing that I should have mentioned, the reason I couldn't use slot one was due to the heat sinks/dissipators on the Corsair Dominators. The OCZ ram went in slot one with ease...should have made that know:-o

 

That's called providing a followup - always a good thing, and appreciated.