Question about RAM

[Steven Titchenell]

My desktop pc will handle 8GB of RAM, but only has 6GB. I know it takes DDR3 RAM. Will any DDR3 RAM for desktops work?

 

[Geoff]

It's recommended to match to speed that you currently have as well.

 

[Intel_man]

What is your RAM configuration right now? Seems odd to have 6gb of RAM when your max support is 8gb.

 

[johnb35]

What is your RAM configuration right now? Seems odd to have 6gb of RAM when your max support is 8gb.

Not too odd as a lot of machines come like that.

 

[Intel_man]

So on a dual channel system, only 3 slots are occupied? That's pretty odd.

 

[johnb35]

So on a dual channel system, only 3 slots are occupied?

Not necessarily. Most companies don't care about dual channel. But remember some systems only have 2 slots.

 

[Intel_man]

But remember some systems only have 2 slots

There's 6gb memory modules?

 

[johnb35]

In which case they would use a 4gb and a 2gb module. I've seen some weird configurations in my time. 1.5gb XP system using 3 512mb sticks. I have a feeling the OP's system only has 2 slots.

 

[Intel_man]

Exactly, that's an odd configuration.

 

[C4C]

Typical for most all laptops.. My older laptop came with 6GB and I opt'd for another 4GB module (to make 8GB total)

 

[Darren]

Exactly, that's an odd configuration.

You're an odd configuration.

6GB isn't that unusual really. Pretty common to see laptops with 2 or 4GB's built in to the mobo and then an additional slot populated with a half size stick (1/2GB) to bring to the total up to 3 or 6GB. I actually had a laptop today that was exactly this, had 2GB built in and swapped the 1GB stick for a 2GB stick and ended up with 4GB instead of 3GB.

Even my desktop is kinda like this. 2x4GB and 2x2GB for 12GB total. Dual channel performance gains are pretty minimal in the real world and consumers after a cheaper laptop won't even know about it let alone the difference between. Easier for manufacturers to make a butt ton of identical boards with built in RAM and only give out booster sticks to some models. Saves money while diversifying their product line.

 

[Jiniix]

HP are the worst criminals of shipping systems with a 4GB and a 2GB dimm.

 

[Geoff]

6GB is not uncommon, you see a lot of 12GB machines as well which would likely be 3x 4GB.

 

[Calin]

6GB is not uncommon, you see a lot of 12GB machines as well which would likely be 3x 4GB.

In my AMD rig I had 2x 4gb and 2x 2gb for 12GB

 

[Geoff]

In my AMD rig I had 2x 4gb and 2x 2gb for 12GB

You could also have a 8GB and 4GB module. my point to Intel_Man is that many OEMs don't care about a slight performance hit by eliminating dual channel in favor of cheaper configurations.