[Solved] 9GB in an i7-920 desktop messed up?

Can I assume that the existing RAM (especially the 3x 2GB I would keep) is all from the same batch and/or brand, though?

With refurbished computers, you never know if they just threw a bunch of spare sticks in there... Could this actually be running in single-channel mode, or is that far-fetched?

If I add another 6GB myself later, you said to "match" the RAM... do you mean to the existing RAM, on the BRAND (not just type)? How will I know what the existing brand is; is all RAM labeled?

THANKS!

speed, type, cas, and voltage are pretty standard and easy to match... Pretty much just DDR3 10600 (or whatever), correct?

The cpuid program... is that on the computer already (like a bios or "run" command), or something I need to buy/download from a web site?

Thanks

ddr3 1600 would be the type and speed then comes the cas and voltage it's not hard newegg will narrow it down real quick with the power search option

cpuid is free just follow the link thaduis posted

I actually have that exact system, and found your post trying to find info on the best way to optimize that oddball RAM configuration. You should be aware, though, that the e9180t and e9150t systems have been plagued with problems, which seem to be linked to a bad mobo. Problems as in >4000 posts on the HP board, multiple class action lawsuits, etc. I actually wound up replacing the mobo, case, and PSU at my own expense just to get it to work for me. The problem has supposedly been corrected with the version 1.40e REV E01 board, so you'll want to confirm that it has the "good" board before pulling the trigger.

Apologies for the sidebar comments. I don't mean to derail the post - I actually have the same question as the OP - would it be best to pull 3GB and run 6GB in triple channel, or pull 1GB and run 8GB in dual?

I should also add that with the 4x2, 1x1 configuration, CPU-z says it's actually running in triple channel mode. What gives?

Thinking it probably depends on when they refurbished it - the motherboard issue has gone on for a long time, and I'm sure they were sending them back out before the final board. It's been a real PITA, so if you can't confirm it, I'd probably look elsewhere!

Still trying to understand why that memory config is showing as triple for me in CPU-Z?

It's definitely 5 DIMMS on an EVGA X58 SLI, 4x2GB, 1x1GB. Thought maybe the bios did something weird to run a sort of quasi triple channel mode. Probably just something quirky with cpuid.

Thanks everyone for the info.

After seeing the issues with the Elite 9820T pegatron mobo, I'm not convinced it would be corrected even on the refurbs, as I would suspect HP simply adjusted the Bios, rather than replaced the mobo. Heck, they didn't even adjust the wrongly configured RAM!

The M9600T is a later version, also Elite. There seems to be lots of complaints about it also, but I wonder if the problem got fixed?

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forum [...] e?q=m9600T

Don't some mobos support some sort of tri-channel "flex mode," running some DIMMS in tri channel, others in dual?