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Question

Questions on SSD and RAM upgrades

Feb 28, 2018 2:23AM PST

Hi all,
I want to install an additional SSD and RAM. I am not confident with hardware manipulations so I need your advice.

SSD:
It seems there is enough slots (both on the chassis, motherboard SATA connections and power unit) to add another SSD (I already have one). But the new SSD doesn't come with any cables or adapters. Do I just have to buy a SATA cable and a power cable and plug them from the new SSD to the motherboard and the power unit, or is there anything else to do?
Also, can I make an exact copy of my existing system SSD to the new one or do I have to install everything to make it the main system SSD?

RAM:
Currently I have 2 x 8GB and I'd like to add an additional 8 GB. Should I buy one 16 GB or 2 x 8 GB? Do I have to take the same RAM speed or can I just install any DDR3 at the DIMM format?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: SSD and RAM
Feb 28, 2018 5:38AM PST

SSD:
Add cables as needed. And yes, you can clone the existing SSD with any cloning program. When I bought mine, a license for Acronis was included.

RAM:
We recommend using identical sticks and an even number of sticks. So buy 2 * 8 GB of exactly the same memory (maker and model) as you use now, or 4*8 GB or 2*16 GB if you can't get the same as you have now. I suppose you checked your motherboard supports more than 16 GB.

Are you sure you need more than 16 GB? Practically nobody does, but you might belong to the .1% who does.

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RAM
Feb 28, 2018 4:55PM PST

My motherboard is an ASUS Z97-K and its specs say 32 GB max, which I'm not sure refers to an individual stick or the 4 slots total but in all cases 4x8 GB should be fine.

This PC is a workstation for music production. It runs a DAW with occasional large projects involving lots of stacked plugins. I have been told this was rather demanding on RAM but I don't know to what extent, so I'm not sure I do need this upgrade, I just want to make sure I have some head space and not run into any problem during a work session.

I can't find the exact model name on my memory sticks so it would seem difficult to buy the same. Here is my memory stick and the info displayed in the BIOS, is this enough to determine the right model?



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Ram
Mar 1, 2018 2:15AM PST

This is your ram.
hx321c11t2k2/16

Plug that into google and then shop your merchants.

That will get you another 2x8GB kit.

You might want to watch the ram usage with your existing ram to see if this upgrade is needed.

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Thanks
Mar 1, 2018 7:54PM PST

Thanks a lot.