Solved system memory question

[iknowjohnny]

I have 4 memory slots on my gigabyte P55A-UD3 board with 4 Gskill 2 GB memory strips. Can i replace 2 of them with 4 GB or do all 4 have to be the same size? And if i can, how do i know which slots? Are they 1-2-3-4 left to right and u would replace either 1 and 2 or 3 and 4, or are the sets alternating so you would replace 1 and 3 or 2 and 4? Also, what specs do i have to follow in the pic below of my ram? Just DDR3 and 1600? Also, does brand matter? Thanks.

 

[Snick]

iknowjohnny

YES! you can install a 2gb and 4gb RAM chip together. As long as the frequency is the same there isn't going to be any issues. However, if you add 2gb 1066 and 4gb 1600 the system will read the 2gb and 4gb has 1066

The GigaByte GA-P55A-UD3 uses the Intel LGA 1156/Socket H CPU socket. It uses the DDR3 memory type, with maximum speeds of up to 1600 MHz, and 4 DDR3 slots allowing for a maximum total of 16 GB RAM.

Usually RAM is replaced in matched pairs
Crucial has a tool that will scan your system and recommend the correct ram.
You don't have to use Crucial, just note the compatible ram
Crucial Advisor tool

 

[dg1261]

I have 4 memory slots on my gigabyte P55A-UD3 board with 4 Gskill 2 GB memory strips. Can i replace 2 of them with 4 GB or do all 4 have to be the same size? And if i can, how do i know which slots?

Your mobo takes dual-channel memory. That means the memory must be installed in pairs. The two DIMMs in each pair must match, but the two pairs need not match each other.

In dual-channel mobos the pairs are usually differentiated by contrasting colors of the DIMM sockets or of the retaining clips on the ends of the slots. From pictures, it looks like the your mobo uses blue and white DIMM sockets. The two blue sockets will be one pair, and the white sockets will be the other pair.

Yes, the specs you want are DDR3 (synonymous with PC3) and speed 1600 (same as 12800, referenced another way).

I, too, am a fan of Crucial memory. However, in this case the Crucial website indicates the GA-P55A-UD3 takes low-voltage memory (1.35V), whereas the GA-P55A-UD3 spec sheet seems to specify 1.5V memory. The spec sheet seems to be consistent with the memory in your photo, so I'd stick with 1.5V. (Hint: take a close look at your DIMM slots to see if they might indicate the voltage rating on them.)

 

[Snick]

dg1261

 

[iknowjohnny]

Thanks all, good stuff and helps a lot. Thank you.

 

[flavallee]

If your computer currently has a 2 GB DDR3-1600, 1.5V, CL=9, Unbuffered, Non-ECC module (according to your image) in all 4 DIMM slots, why don't you replace all of them with identical 4 GB modules?

Besides not having to worry about which 2 GB modules and 4 GB modules goes in which DIMM slots, your computer will have 16 GB of RAM instead of 12 GB.

 

[iknowjohnny]

I can barely afford to eat these days.

 

[Snick]

iknowjohnny

I had to take out a loan to pay attention! LOL