Solved Upgrading from an i5-3474S to an i7-3770S means more Memory is allowed

[Mike Lynch]

Does the Upgrade above mean that I can add more usable Memory to my PC?
OR
Is the usable Memory a function of the BIOS or Mother Board?
OR
Is it a function of multiple factors?

Mike

 

[michael diemer]

It's a function of how much your mobo will accept, as well as your version of Windows.

For example, W7 Home Premium allows 16 GB, but W7 Pro allows 192 GB. W10 home allows 128 GB, Pro allows 2 TB. Stats for W11 same as W10.

 

[SIW2]

Does the Upgrade above mean that I can add more usable Memory to my PC?

No


i5-3470s
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type)
32 GB
Memory Types
DDR3 1333/1600
Max # of Memory Channels
2
Max Memory Bandwidth
25.6 GB/s

17-3770
Max Memory Size (dependent on memory type)
32 GB
Memory Types
DDR3 1333/1600
Max # of Memory Channels
2
Max Memory Bandwidth
25.6 GB/s

You could put 4x8gb sticks in your HP 8300 . But you probably will not utilize that much. You should be good with 2x8gb sticks.

It is cheap nowadays

:ar: 8gb 1600mhz £6 per stick

 

[michael diemer]

I have an i7 3700, and SIW2 is correct, 32 GB is all it will accept. I run several large orchestral libraries in my music composition, and have no problems. You are unlikely to encounter any problems either, unless you're doing something more demanding than music creation.

Edit: In yet another Senior Moment, I confused the mobo and the CPU. i7-3700 is the CPU. It's actually the mobo that limits you on the ram. Mine is a Gigabyte H77-DS3H. It will only take 32 GB. Which is more than enough for everyday needs.