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Slight newb - underperforming RAM upgrade?

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  • RAM
  • Computers
  • Memory
Last response: in Memory
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September 22, 2014 1:30:10 PM

Hello, I'm something of a PC simpleton/douchebag. I used to tinker and build computers in the 80s and 90s but having kids took over and technology has far surpassed my understanding! Last computer I built in '98 had a mighty 400mhz processor and collossal 96mb ram.

You get where I'm coming from, I don't know much about modern computing so please go easy on me :D 

Anyway, today I upgraded my rig from 3GB to 11GB DDR3 RAM. Originally just had the stock 1GB + 2GB DIMM, but I've added in two more sticks, 4GB each = 11GB total RAM.

The layout in the case is like this:

1GB Stick
2GB Stick
4GB Stick
4GB Stick

I don't know if there's any specific order you're supposed to put them in.

All working fine, BIOS and Windows both agree I have 11GB RAM. So far so good, right? Wrong.

The computer seems slower, lots of lag and load times in programs. I've done a little investigation with CPU-Z, and divined the following info on my RAM. Trouble is: I DON'T KNOW WHAT ANY OF THIS MEANS :D  :D 

The DDR3 RAM sticks are all 1600mhz, now, is it just me - or do these readings negate that I'm hitting that?

Any advice appreciate, thank you!!

- A confused old man











OEM Acer Aspire M3910
Intel I5-650 Dual Core @ 3ghz
11GB RAM
Nvidia GT-610 1GB GPU
Windows 7 x64

BIOS: Basically impregnable, typical for an OEM machine, not much can be changed. Can't touch voltages.

More about : slight newb underperforming ram upgrade

a b } Memory
September 22, 2014 1:50:58 PM

Looks like the Slot 1 and 2 are running at 1333Mhz and Slot 3 and 4 are at 1600.

Try removing the 1333 ones (or the 1600 ones) so that there are two sticks which are the same freq. Also, make sure these sticks are in the correct slots (probably slot #1 and slot #3). See if that helps with the lag and slow down.
September 22, 2014 2:54:28 PM

tambeshakunt said:
Looks like the Slot 1 and 2 are running at 1333Mhz and Slot 3 and 4 are at 1600.

Try removing the 1333 ones (or the 1600 ones) so that there are two sticks which are the same freq. Also, make sure these sticks are in the correct slots (probably slot #1 and slot #3). See if that helps with the lag and slow down.


Got it, thank you. I'm guessing you ascertained the frequencies by multiplying the JEDEC 4 figures by 2. I only today learned that DDR = Double data rate.

Ok, just using the 2 x 4GB sticks @ 1600mhz for now and performance has improved.

You seem well educated in these matters, do you know off hand if it's better to use two sticks with the same frequency than it is two use four sticks with differing frequencies?

Again, really appreciate your help. Thanks.
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a c 2285 } Memory
September 22, 2014 3:22:51 PM

All your sticks were running at 1333 (the info in the SPD tab is simply info about the sticks, (spec parameters) and is nothing to do with what they are running at) and the load was unbalanced you had 3 GB in channel A and 8GB in channel B....prob want the 4GB sticks in slots 1-3 to run dual channel mode (slight performance increase over single channel mode) can use CPU-Z to check - look in the memory tab and in the channel window it will tell either single or dual.
a b } Memory
September 23, 2014 8:36:04 AM

Mike486DX said:
tambeshakunt said:
Looks like the Slot 1 and 2 are running at 1333Mhz and Slot 3 and 4 are at 1600.

Try removing the 1333 ones (or the 1600 ones) so that there are two sticks which are the same freq. Also, make sure these sticks are in the correct slots (probably slot #1 and slot #3). See if that helps with the lag and slow down.


Got it, thank you. I'm guessing you ascertained the frequencies by multiplying the JEDEC 4 figures by 2. I only today learned that DDR = Double data rate.

Ok, just using the 2 x 4GB sticks @ 1600mhz for now and performance has improved.

You seem well educated in these matters, do you know off hand if it's better to use two sticks with the same frequency than it is two use four sticks with differing frequencies?

Again, really appreciate your help. Thanks.



On top of what Tradesman1 has already said, I would like to say that its best to have all sticks to be part of a matched set, with identical specs i.e timings, latency etc. This will always give the BEST possible performance.

Hope all this helps.
September 24, 2014 4:37:24 AM

Yes you've all been most helpful, thank you. Despite all sticks being 1600mhz rated, it would appear that the differences in their components and/or architecture means they don't play in tune with each other very well.

I'm getting much better performance from the 2 x 4GB sticks that were bought as a matching pair.

Hey, 8 gigs is still a major upgrade on the stock 3GB.

Thanks to all.
a b } Memory
September 24, 2014 8:27:12 AM

You are welcome!
a c 2285 } Memory
September 24, 2014 2:44:01 PM

Glad to hear it's running well ;) 
!