Odd Number of GB RAM is it possible?

CDDogg · Sep 3, 2015

So I have ordered a new MB for my PC. This MB has four RAM slots and should accommodate The RAM Modules I current own. Right now I currently have 1 spare 4 GB RAM module in package, 2 2GB RAM modules in my PC, and 2 1GB modules that originally came with my PC. When I finish installing my new MB I want to throw in the 2 2GB sticks I have and the 4GB stick. But that will leave 1 slot open, is it possible for me to put 1 1 GB stick in it? Logically I'd assume i'd have 9 GB's of RAM available, but i've never heard anyone have RAM in odd numbers.

Robert Cook · Sep 3, 2015

that might work, are they all the same speed and timings? you will have no useful dual channel support with those two odd matched sticks, but it ideally should work. be warned some motherboards cap off at eight GB.

Joseph DeGarmo · Sep 3, 2015

I would not recommend mixing RAM sticks unless the motherboard only supports single-channel memory. Modern motherboards support at least dual-channel memory. I would suggest getting a new 2x4GB RAM kit.

Robert Cook · Sep 3, 2015

^ having done such madness for kicks on stock OEM boards, I can say it should work, but when you look at the price of DDR2 RAM which I suspect this is, it becomes less funny and more practical.

CDDogg · Sep 3, 2015

The MB i got is ASRock 970M PRO3. It says it supports up to 64 GB RAM. IDK what kind the 2 2GB sticks are as they are currently in my PC but I can tell you that: The 2 1GB sticks 1Rx8 PC3-10600U 1333MHz, and the 4GB stick is 2Rx4 PC3 1600MHz. Pretty sure the 2 2GB sticks are 1333mhz. I've been told in the past that combining to 2GB's with the 4GB will slow the 4 down but should be functional. IDK if the MB support single or dual channel.

Tradesman1 · Sep 3, 2015

You can try, no guarantees, mixing DRAM is a crapshoot, might work, might not, more in my article (item 2) here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-myths,4155.html

If you try, I'd go the 4GB stick in slot 1 and the 2x2GB in slots 3-4, that will provide 4GB in each channel and should run as dual channel mode

Cyrkle8211 · Sep 4, 2015

Yes it will work most definitely, while it may seem uncommon now days it will work, just make sure that you don't mix different DDR values, such as, a DDR2 with a DDR3. I actually have a PC right now that used to run on 5 GB right out of the box, (1x4GB and 2x.5GB sticks of RAM). While 0.5 GB sticks are basically a waste of a memory slot they still do work. So in the end you should have no trouble at all with having an odd number of GB of RAM, unless of course you're superstitious and you have 13 GB of RAM. XD

Robert Cook · Sep 4, 2015

^ I do not know, 13 GB of RAM sounds mighty sp00ky to me now just get a thirteen core Xeon...

Tradesman1 · Sep 4, 2015

Cyrkle8211 :

_______________

Things have changed a lot since DDR2, and you can't put DDR2 in a DDR3 mobo, the slot spacing is different, the article I referenced above would be a good read for you, there's also Part 1 that deals with DDDR3 FAQs here:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/ddr3-dram-faq,review-33220.html

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Odd Number of GB RAM is it possible?

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