2GB + 4GB RAM upgrade

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
N

nightmare92

Reputable
Nov 15, 2015
7
0
4,510
im using inspiron n5110 . it supports RAM up to 8GB and 1333Mhz.
I have 1x2GB 1333Mhz module installed.
I want to install a 4GB 1333Mhz module to make it a total of 6GB but ive read that it can cause problems. but then some posts here say that no it wont cause problems.
can I get a good answer please whether it is a good idea to get a 6GB ram system or not and why?
 
Solution
B
Each memory module is unique; no two (or more) modules will be EXACTLY alike.

Why? Because of component tolerance (value) variations, and on the method and quality of assembly of components, each module will have their own unique characteristics.

In order for two (or more) modules to work together (properly) in a system, each module characteristic MUST have similar characteristics to the other module(s). If module characteristics are close enough/almost identical, then dual channel operation will be available provided the modules are inserted in the correct slots. If module characteristics are fairly close in characteristics, but not quite close enough, then the modules may only run in single channel mode. If the module...
Sort by date Sort by votes
N

nightmare92

Reputable
Nov 15, 2015
7
0
4,510
also if you donot recommend that I get a 4GB module (with a good reason please), then what memory capacity do you recommend ?
I'm sorry I know this question has been asked a lot. but some posts here say that its not a good idea while others say that it will be fine. So please I need to get one good answer.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

brispuss

Splendid
Dec 27, 2014
2,607
26
26,490
Each memory module is unique; no two (or more) modules will be EXACTLY alike.

Why? Because of component tolerance (value) variations, and on the method and quality of assembly of components, each module will have their own unique characteristics.

In order for two (or more) modules to work together (properly) in a system, each module characteristic MUST have similar characteristics to the other module(s). If module characteristics are close enough/almost identical, then dual channel operation will be available provided the modules are inserted in the correct slots. If module characteristics are fairly close in characteristics, but not quite close enough, then the modules may only run in single channel mode. If the module characteristics are too far apart with respect to each other, then the system may not even boot, or it may crash etc.

To ensure module compatibility with each other, it is usually recommended to get dual (triple, or quad) channel kits where the modules have been tested and selected for best compatibility due to similar characteristics.

So if wanting to add another (single) module to the system, there is some risk that the new module characteristics may not be compatible with existing module characteristics, and the system may not boot, might crash, freeze etc. But if lucky, the new module characteristics might be close enough to the existing module characteristics to allow successful/compatible operation of the modules.

But if the new module does not work with the existing module, then it will have to be returned and replaced with another, and so on until compatible memory combination is found.

Also having same or balanced memory capacity for each module ensures full dual channel operation for all of the memory. If using one 2 GB module and a 4 GB module, which just happens to have similar characteristics to the 2 GB module, then the system will (probably) run as a combination of dual and single channel modes; the first 2 GB of 4 GB module will be dual channel with the 2 GB module, and the remaining 2 GB of the 4 GB module will be single channel operation. This is not as ideal as FULL dual channel operation.

To avoid these issues, it is recommended that a dual channel kit be purchased (either 2 x 2 GB, or 2 x 4 GB). The advantage is that full dual channel operation will be enabled which maximizes available memory bandwidth. The existing memory module could be kept as a backup or sell it.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
N

nightmare92

Reputable
Nov 15, 2015
7
0
4,510
Wow brispuss .. This is the best answer I could have got .. The perfect answer ... Thanks a lot man ... :)
So I can go for buying 1 4GB module if I cannot afford to get a tested pair of 2x4GB .. Just have to get the right matched one .. Hopefully I'll get lucky in the first try lol ..
Just one more thing ..
Running 4GB with 2GB (total 6GB) .. Would that put too much load on the memory controller ?? I mean should I worry about that or it's fine ??
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
N

nightmare92

Reputable
Nov 15, 2015
7
0
4,510
Oh and just one more thing ..
How much difference will it show if my system runs on single channel 6GB compared to 4GB dual and 2GB single ??
Coz I think it's a very small chance that I will be lucky enough to get it dual + single..
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

brispuss

Splendid
Dec 27, 2014
2,607
26
26,490
It is the number of modules that determines the load on the memory controller and not the capacity (GB) of the modules.

So the load on the memory controller should be the same if using, say, two 1 GB modules, or two 2 GB modules, or two 4 GB modules, or one 2 GB module and a 4 GB module.

Good luck with finding a compatible 4 GB module. There will be roughly 50% chance of finding compatible memory. To improve chances of finding compatible memory, suggest staying with a major brand of memory where there is likely to be less variation in module characteristics (and therefore more likely to be compatible with other similar memory). Getting memory from a more obscure manufacturer is likely to have the opposite effect with greater variation in module characteristics and less chance of finding compatible memory.

EDIT: The performance difference between 6 GB single channel and 4 GB dual channel + 2 GB single channel, is difficult to predict as this depends on how software/program uses system memory and how much of the memory is used. But there should be a slight performance drop if just using single channel memory.

At 1333 MHz, single channel bandwidth is 1333 x 64 / 8 ~ 10666 MB/s.

At 1333 MHz, dual channel bandwidth is 1333 x 128 / 8 ~ 21333 MB/s. So dual channel is much better for data transfer and therefore should provide faster performance.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
N

nightmare92

Reputable
Nov 15, 2015
7
0
4,510
ok so I went and bought a 4GB module to go with my 2GB module (total of 6GB RAM) ...
as brispuss said, there is a 50% chance that you will get a matching one .. I found my matching one in the 3rd try .. :D

Also, a point to note, my 32bit windows 10 showed 6GB ram (3.16GB usable) .. I had to reinstall windows to 64bit windows 10 to get all 6GB ram to work ... as 32bit versions of windows only support up to 4GB of ram.

Now I have one problem and I don't know if I should create a new post for this ... I want a notification to go to brispuss (he gives really good answers) ..
everything is working fine but I installed cpu-z to check if ram is working in dual channel ... cpuz says dual in channel # but DC mode and NB frequency don't show anything (they are greyed out) .. y is this happening and are my RAMs working on dual channel or not ??
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

brispuss

Splendid
Dec 27, 2014
2,607
26
26,490


Glad you finally got compatible memory! But you could have avoided the inconvenience of having to try different modules if a dual channel kit was bought instead to begin with. Maybe in the future?



Thanks for your comments, but not everyone thinks the same.



That is not a problem. For my system, CPU-Z also has greyed out boxes, and my memory is also running in dual channel mode. As long as CPU-Z indicates "Dual Channel", then the memory is definitely running in dual channel mode. Don't worry about the other greyed out boxes.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
N

nightmare92

Reputable
Nov 15, 2015
7
0
4,510
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom