Windows 7: Best way to set 2x2GB + 2x4GB RAM on the same PC

I've got 2x2GB DDR3 1333, 9-9-9 dual channel Corsair memory, right now in slot 1 and 3

I just got 2x4GB DDR3 1333, 9-9-9 dual channel Samsung memory, and planning to put them as well.

I was wondering what would be the best way to place them?

The 4GB chips in 1st and 3rd slot and the 2GB ones in 2nd and 4th, or it doesn't really matter?

Your spec says you have 32 bit OS, so more than 4GB will be not be usable. To use more than 4GB you will need 64 bit Windows. Also I just looked up your motherboard manual at Asrock and it says when using all 4 ram slots, to use identical sticks



If you really need more ram, I'd say upgrade to 64 bit and just use the 2 x 4GB memory

I will be installing 64 bit windows but the part about the indentical sticks is worrying.
I specially ordered ones with the same MHz and timing, but didn't know they have to be same size and/or brand?

still hoping that asrock is just being conservative here, and they will work

You have a pretty good chance of it working out OK.

I'd leave the old RAM where it is and put the new RAM in the other slots and see if it is all recognized.

I'd worry about installing 64-bit first.

In the worst case, you may have to use just the new 8 GB and uninstall the old 4 GB. You may not notice the difference between 8 total and 12 total anyway.

I always suggest to not try 2 changes at once. It just complicates things if there is a problem.

My suggestion is to leave the current 4GB in the system and then install Windows 7 64bit. Make sure everything is working well and there are no problems with the install, drivers, configuration, etc.

Then add the new RAM.

If it were me I would remove the 2x2GB sticks and install the new 2x4GB sticks in the same slots and test (that computer boots and runs Windows, then with Memtest86+).
If all is good then I would add the 2x2GB sticks into the remaining slots and test again.

This just makes diagnosing any problem that might arise easier. No need to work backward.

Your board's manual should tell you how your channels are split..either 1,3 2,4 or 1,2 and 3,4. As long as you put the pairs in the same channel, it shouldn't matter.

You should be okay with installing all of it first, and then installing Windows 7. Vista had some issues with certain chipsets, usually Nvidia, where it didn't like seeing a lot of memory for the install, but was fine if it was added later. Those issues have been scarce and aren't much of a worry anymore. However, if you decide not to chance it, I'd put in the 8 GB alone, and then install.

thank you all, for the advices, going to try it tomorrow!

Just a note: It shouldn't matter what brand you mix up as long as they have the like timings and slot orientation.

When I mean slot orientation I mean "Brand A" in 1 and 3 and "Brand B" in 2 and 4 (if your motherboard states to put like RAM in slots 1+3, and 2+4 if you have four slots).

For the timing I think it'll work also, but the motherboard will auto bottleclock the timings (I was bored; my way of saying ". . . the motherboard will automatically downclock the timings to the slowest, as in 'only as strong as the weakest link'").

Everything works perfect!

Infact I found that the assembler of the PC has put the old ram in different channels, since my motherboard is using 1&2 and 3&4 instead of the more popular 1&3 and 2&4

I'm getting 7.6 out of 7.9 max according to the windows performance test