Only 2 Slots For Ram

I have been asked many times by my blog readers that whether they should use a single large stick of RAM or multiple RAM sticks (mostly two) to run in dual channel mode. So I have decided to write a post on this issue and clear the doubts of my blog readers on which RAM configuration they should choose and which one is best for them.

Contents

After reinstallation finish, my PC can only use 8GB RAM out of my 16GB RAM. (2 slots) It was fine before the reinstallation. No hardware change.I tried to clean the PC and try each stick, all is fine. I also tried msconfig and set the 'memory' to max, still no result.

Currently, I have a micro ATX motherboard that has only 2 ram slots (2X4 gigs) and I was thinking of getting an ATX mobo that has 4 RAM slots, but don't want to buy another set of ram. I have a motherboard with only 2 Slots for memory. Now i was just thinking, could you sauter wire to another memory slot on some circuit board and expand your motherboard max capacity? I know in resource manager it says 2/4 dimms occupied so I know my chipset certainly isn't limited to only 2 mem slots. If you have 2 RAM slots, then you can normally put memory into both of them. How much memory depends on the system. Without knowing the make and model of the PC or laptop, nobody can guess what its limits are. Edit with the make and model and we might be able to tell you the specs for it. Or check the manufacturer's web site. May 27, 2012 Currently, I have a micro ATX motherboard that has only 2 ram slots (2X4 gigs) and I was thinking of getting an ATX mobo that has 4 RAM slots, but don't want to buy another set of ram.

• 1 What is Dual Channel Memory Mode?

What is Dual Channel Memory Mode?

In dual channel memory mode the bandwidth between the RAM and Memory controller is doubled. In dual channel mode the memory controller on the motherboard utilizes two different 64-bit channels for communication with RAM. This leads to total bandwidth of 128 bits to move data from RAM to the CPU. This eliminates the problem of bottleneck where a higher FSB (Front Side Bus) CPU is left with nothing to do so as the single channel memory is busy with reading or writing the data.

So when the memory is operating in dual channel model then one channel is used to handle the reading and writing of data and other channel is used for loading, refreshing, and housekeeping functions. Here we can say that there is a simultaneous two way parallel communication between the memory controller and RAM. This leads to increase in overall performance of the system.

It must be noted that dual channel architecture is a motherboard feature or technology and is independent of RAM types. You can run any two identical types of RAM in dual channel mode. Slots station live. All Memory types i.e. DDR, DDR2, DDR3 RAM supports dual channel memory mode.

To run memory in dual channel mode the two RAM should of same capacity, make and speed (not necessary but preferred to avoid issues). Dual Channel works in pairs i.e. 2, 4, 6 etc.

A motherboard supporting dual channel memory configuration has its memory slots color coded to indicate that you should put memory of same type in the slots with same color to run or use them in dual channel mode.

Color Coded Memory Slots indicating Channels

Some modern day Processors like i7 can support triple channel and quad channel memory configuration. Also Modern CPUs like Intel i3, i5 & i7 has memory controller integrated in them which leads to faster access of data and it also helps in reducing memory latency.

Only 2 Slots For Ram Upgrade

Requirements for Dual Channel Memory Mode Configuration

• Dual Channel enabled Motherboard
• Two Identical RAM Sticks of same size

Performance Gain by using Dual Channel Memory Mode

Theoretically dual channel architecture doubles the throughput and bandwidth, but in real world the performance gain is not too much. The amount of performance gain when using dual channel memory mode is around 10% – 15% only (also depends on various factors, PC & Memory specs).

Only 2 Slots For Ram 2500

Which Channel Configuration to go for?

Here I tell you which memory configuration is best for you, whether it is single channel or dual channel?

For Normal Work – If you are building a PC for normal day to day office work, watching movies, casual gaming, internet surfing & browsing then you should go for single channel memory configuration only.

For Gaming & Performance PCs – For Gaming and high end PCs I would suggest you to go for Dual channel or Quad channel memory configuration to get maximum performance.

For Future RAM Upgrade – If your motherboard has got only two RAM slots then I would advise you to get a single large stick of RAM in single channel configuration only. This is because it will be easier and cost effective for you to upgrade RAM in near future.

If you have any doubts on dual channel mode then you can ask me by leaving a comment below.

Only 2 Slots For Ram Upgrade

Read more on RAM:

• 1 What is Dual Channel Memory Mode?

What is Dual Channel Memory Mode?

In dual channel memory mode the bandwidth between the RAM and Memory controller is doubled. In dual channel mode the memory controller on the motherboard utilizes two different 64-bit channels for communication with RAM. This leads to total bandwidth of 128 bits to move data from RAM to the CPU. This eliminates the problem of bottleneck where a higher FSB (Front Side Bus) CPU is left with nothing to do so as the single channel memory is busy with reading or writing the data.

So when the memory is operating in dual channel model then one channel is used to handle the reading and writing of data and other channel is used for loading, refreshing, and housekeeping functions. Here we can say that there is a simultaneous two way parallel communication between the memory controller and RAM. This leads to increase in overall performance of the system.

It must be noted that dual channel architecture is a motherboard feature or technology and is independent of RAM types. You can run any two identical types of RAM in dual channel mode. Slots station live. All Memory types i.e. DDR, DDR2, DDR3 RAM supports dual channel memory mode.

To run memory in dual channel mode the two RAM should of same capacity, make and speed (not necessary but preferred to avoid issues). Dual Channel works in pairs i.e. 2, 4, 6 etc.

A motherboard supporting dual channel memory configuration has its memory slots color coded to indicate that you should put memory of same type in the slots with same color to run or use them in dual channel mode.

Color Coded Memory Slots indicating Channels

Some modern day Processors like i7 can support triple channel and quad channel memory configuration. Also Modern CPUs like Intel i3, i5 & i7 has memory controller integrated in them which leads to faster access of data and it also helps in reducing memory latency.

Only 2 Slots For Ram Upgrade

Requirements for Dual Channel Memory Mode Configuration

• Dual Channel enabled Motherboard
• Two Identical RAM Sticks of same size

Performance Gain by using Dual Channel Memory Mode

Theoretically dual channel architecture doubles the throughput and bandwidth, but in real world the performance gain is not too much. The amount of performance gain when using dual channel memory mode is around 10% – 15% only (also depends on various factors, PC & Memory specs).

Only 2 Slots For Ram 2500

Which Channel Configuration to go for?

Here I tell you which memory configuration is best for you, whether it is single channel or dual channel?

For Normal Work – If you are building a PC for normal day to day office work, watching movies, casual gaming, internet surfing & browsing then you should go for single channel memory configuration only.

For Gaming & Performance PCs – For Gaming and high end PCs I would suggest you to go for Dual channel or Quad channel memory configuration to get maximum performance.

For Future RAM Upgrade – If your motherboard has got only two RAM slots then I would advise you to get a single large stick of RAM in single channel configuration only. This is because it will be easier and cost effective for you to upgrade RAM in near future.

If you have any doubts on dual channel mode then you can ask me by leaving a comment below.

Only 2 Slots For Ram Upgrade

Read more on RAM: