For the dual- channel memory that most motherboards support today, it’s better to use two 8 GB RAM sticks. Image credit: MSI What Slots Do You Put RAM In ?ĭetermining where to put your RAM sticks will depend on the number of sticks you have and the number of slots your motherboard has.įor example, if you’re a gamer, you’ll need 16 GB of RAM for a smooth gaming experience. If you don't have it, try looking for the slot that is marked on the motherboard as DIMMA2 or DDR4_2. Unless your motherboard has only one RAM slot available, it is usually advised to install the single RAM stick in the DIMMA2 slot first, so you should always check with your motherboard manual to find the exact spot.ĭifferent motherboards have different slot orders so it is crucial that you consult with the manual. Image credit: ASUS Which RAM Slot to Use for a Single Stick ? 2-4 ?Ī1 (slot 1) and B1 (slot 3) are typically reserved for a single channel of the same type, and A2 (slot 2) and B2 (slot 4) are considered to be dual-channel RAM slots. So, what's the difference between RAM slots 1-3 vs.

For instance, in a motherboard with four RAM slots, you’ll have to use the second and the fourth slot for two sticks, and only after that, if you get a second pair, you should put it into the first and third slots. To take advantage of the dual-channel support, you have to know which RAM slots to use. įor that purpose, you’ll need to make sure that the RAM modules are placed in the correct slots. By placing the sticks in the right slots, your computer will optimize its performance.

If you have more than one memory stick, you will need to make them work jointly (dual-channel, triple-channel, etc.), enabling the CPU to access the RAM modules faster. Yes, RAM slot order matters because of the multi-channel architecture. We’ve composed a comprehensive guide on working out the right slots for your computer and installing them on a desktop and laptop. It might sound complicated, but finding the correct slot isn’t too tricky. If you plan to upgrade your computer memory but don’t know what slots to put RAM in - you’ve come to the right place.

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