Question about RAM

[Juscallmesteve]

Lets say you have 4 slots for RAM, and you want 12 or 16 gb of ram.

does it affect performance how you have the ram set up like.

slot 1:4
Slot 2:4
Slot 3:2
Slot 4:2

or

slot 1:4
Slot 2:4
Slot 3:2
Slot 4:

slot 1:4
Slot 2:4
Slot 3:4
Slot 4:

Would this make a difference? like would it be better to use all the slots or better you use larger Ram sticks or how does this work?

Or hell is 12 a bad number of Ram to use, should you use 16 and have 4gb in each slot or just 2 slots of 8gb?

[sk3tch]

It's best to install RAM in pairs for DDR (double data rate) capability. I.E. with 4 slots - do 2x2GB and 2x4GB (for 12GB) or 4x4GB (for 16GB) or 4x2GB (for 8GB). As long as they are paired together (bottom slots are one pair, keyboard slots are another) you will get the benefit of DDR. You can check with CPU-Z under Memory. Otherwise, i.e. with the 6GB default config from Alienware (1x 4GB and 1x 2GB) you do not get DDR so you have reduced memory bandwidth.

[mp5cartman]

It's best to install RAM in pairs for DDR (double data rate) capability. I.E. with 4 slots - do 2x2GB and 2x4GB (for 12GB) or 4x4GB (for 16GB) or 4x2GB (for 8GB). As long as they are paired together (bottom slots are one pair, keyboard slots are another) you will get the benefit of DDR. You can check with CPU-Z under Memory. Otherwise, i.e. with the 6GB default config from Alienware (1x 4GB and 1x 2GB) you do not get DDR so you have reduced memory bandwidth.

I have the default 6GB (2gb+4gb) under the keyboard ports and 8GB (4GB+4GB) the other ports, Am I loosing DDR? All rams are 1600mhz 11-11-11-28 timings and same voltage.

[sk3tch]

Download CPU-Z and check the Memory tab for "Dual"...see attached. You should have dual on one channel and no dual on the other - which I think means non-dual channel overall. I could be wrong.

[mp5cartman]

Other picture is 2 4GB sticks and other is 3 4GB sticks and 1 2GB stick. Same thing on cpuz except command rate. I'm guessing im fine.

[sk3tch]

Interesting. Yeah my pic is from a non-Alienware so don't compare to it. just posted it for illustration purposes.