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Question

SDRAM upgrade best practice

Oct 9, 2018 4:46PM PDT

Recently I purchased a Dell XPS desktop with the capacity potential of 64gb of DDR4 2666mhz SDRAM over 4 dimm slots. Currently, there are 16gb installed in 2 dimm slots (8gb per dimm). I want to add 16gb more for a total of 32gb, but I have two questions,

1) Is it better if the SDRAM is distributed evenly (in pairs) in the remaining dimm slots? IOW, can I add 16gb in one open slot and leave the last dimm empty? Or is it best to buy a 16gb kit with two 8gb modules? If possible, I would prefer 16gb in one slot for future addition possibilities.

2) Do these types of SDRAM modules typically go on sale during Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
1. Always in matched pairs.
Oct 9, 2018 4:59PM PDT

Hey, there are debates about this but for us, all sticks SHALL be the same make and model. If anyone mixes, we are not surprised at BSODs, performance loss or bald heads.

2. That's an easy yes. Will it be the sticks you need? Most likely no.

In parting I expect no performance gain. My money would be to replace any old HDD first.

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To clarify...
Oct 9, 2018 5:25PM PDT

When you suggest that all modules be the same make and model, you're saying ALL modules match. Correct? So, if I add 16gb more (as a pair of 8gb) in the open slots, they need to match the make and model of the two original modules? Not just match each other in a new pair, but all 4 modules need to match?

BTW, tomorrow I am receiving a Samsung SSD 970 Evo NVMe m.2 to upgrade the HDD.

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Again.
Oct 9, 2018 10:12PM PDT

Folk debate this but given 16GB is ample and you shouldn't see any speed gain with more I'd install your SSD and see how well it works.

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Answer
Ram
Oct 9, 2018 8:41PM PDT

Are you sure your need more than 16GB of ram?
What app or apps shows your 16GB maxed out?
Most users can't come close to maxing out that amount of ram even gamers.