Quick computer question concerning RAM

[Scott Douglas]

My neighbor was kind enough to give me two 2GB sticks of DDR3 RAM. My computer can use that type but, I have four slots with only one 8GB stick in it.
I can't put the other two sticks in leaving only one slot open can I?
Am I correct in thinking that all slots need to be occupied by the same type of RAM, or at least pairs of slots ie 1-2, 3-4?

[Gogar]

I know my macs have always been in pairs.

Totally guessing but I bet you pair up blues and blacks.

[id10t]

Probably. BUT ...

The important part is matching the type and speed rating with what you currently have. Also, if you currently have ECC or whatever, the new memory must match that as well.

I'd get your exact motherboard model and check the manual as to what memory configurations it can support.

[stomachmonkey]

The blue and black slots represent banks.

Generally as long as you match in the same bank you are fine.

[Scott Douglas]

Thanks guys.
According to this page: HP Pavilion p7-1421 Desktop PC Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

I have (1) 8GB PC3-12800MB/s in there now.
The ones he gave me are marked PC3-10600 which the computer can support, but isn't the same as what it came with.

I think I'll give it back to him and leave well enough alone. My computer is running fine for now. It'd be nice to have the full 12GB in there but I'd rather it not run amok putting it in.

Guess I'm getting even more conservative in my old age than I was previously.

Thanks!

[id10t]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Thanks guys.
According to this page: HP Pavilion p7-1421 Desktop PC Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

I have (1) 8GB PC3-12800MB/s in there now.
The ones he gave me are marked PC3-10600 which the computer can support, but isn't the same as what it came with.

I think I'll give it back to him and leave well enough alone. My computer is running fine for now. It'd be nice to have the full 12GB in there but I'd rather it not run amok putting it in.

Guess I'm getting even more conservative in my old age than I was previously.

Thanks!

You may be able to run it, but the original chip will run at the slower clock speed.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by id10t

You may be able to run it, but the original chip will run at the slower clock speed.

Yeah pretty much that's all that would happen.

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

It'd be nice to have the full 12GB in there but I'd rather it not run amok putting it in.

The difference in speed will not be perceptible in real world application.

[John Rogers]

You did not mention if you have 32 bit or 64 bit OS? If you have 32 bit you are already wasting some of the 8GB you have now so it does not matter (according to HP's website and 32 bit Windows specs). If you have 64 bit you can add them, just a little more for larger documents or videos, etc. I did notice that the PC specs say Windows 8, 64 bit, so if you use what came with it, use the extra RAM.

[Cajundaddy]

For a transformational speed increase, add a SSD. I doubled my ram a few years ago and it helped demanding software run smoothly but didn't increase speed much. I added a SSD and WOW!

[id10t]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

For a transformational speed increase, add a SSD. I doubled my ram a few years ago and it helped demanding software run smoothly but didn't increase speed much. I added a SSD and WOW!

One of the things I like about Linux is how it caches files in RAM. Cold boot the computer, start Chrome or Firefox and it takes it a bit to read off disk (slow SATA drives). Close it, wait a few minutes, open it again and it opens instantly. Linux will keep executable data in RAM until the RAM is needed by an active process.