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**Bill73** · (This post was last modified: 09-23-2014, 08:48 AM by jmitservices.)

Hi Guys,

Is it better to have 1... 8GB stick of Ram or 2... 4GB sticks of Ram (same speed) on the Motherboard or doesn't it matter with new computers. Thanks Guys.

**ray** · 09-21-2014, 10:01 AM

I don't know your motherboard Bill but the slot may not work with 1 x 8gb in one slot so you would be better with 2 x 4gb ram in two slots, if you motherboard can take up to 16gb then I would think it will take 1 x 8gb in one slot, if you have your motherboard manual it will tell you in there,

**GuiltySpark** · 09-21-2014, 12:56 PM

If your board can do Dual Channel (most do nowadays) then 2 sticks would be better than one due to the nature of how they can handle data, the outcome isn't a massive advantage but it is preferable.

**Bill73** · 09-21-2014, 11:37 PM

Hi Guys.

Motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-B85M-D3H and supports upto 32GB of ram...I have one 8GB...1600mhz stick in slot 1. I was told by computer shop that 1 8GB stick is cheaper and will work fine.

The CPU is Intel Core i5 4570 @ 3.20 ghz and the computer is 6mths old...also if I add another 4GB... 1600mhz stick of Ram will that improve speed and will it give me Dual Channel. Computer works great but would just like to know if what they said was correct.

Thanks Guys.

**TopFreeware** · (This post was last modified: 09-22-2014, 10:28 AM by TopFreeware.)

Hi Bill,

RAM needs depend on what sort of programs you run on your system.

If you play expensive 3D games or do a lot of video editing I would recommend more RAM, but for general stuff like email, internet etc.... 4GB is general for most systems.

***Britec*** · 09-22-2014, 11:18 AM

Dual Channel is the way to go, get yourself 2 sticks instead of one stick and make sure they are match pair.

**GuiltySpark** · (This post was last modified: 09-22-2014, 01:14 PM by GuiltySpark.)

(09-22-2014, 11:18 AM)Britec Wrote: Dual Channel is the way to go, get yourself 2 sticks instead of one stick and make sure they are match pair.

That would all depend on how its being used. DC isn't necessarily better if the RAM is not used to anywhere near its full potential, as @TopFreeware suggests

Quote:RAM needs depend on what sort of programs you run on your system.

But I digress....

to answer your question @Bill;

Quote:Motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-B85M-D3H and supports upto 32GB of ram...I have one 8GB...1600mhz stick in slot 1. I was told by computer shop that 1 8GB stick is cheaper and will work fine.

Yes it will depending on how you use it. (see above)

Quote:The CPU is Intel Core i5 4570 @ 3.20 ghz and the computer is 6mths old...also if I add another 4GB... 1600mhz stick of Ram will that improve speed and will it give me Dual Channel. Computer works great but would just like to know if what they said was correct.

If you have 1 8GB stick and add 1 *GB stick (where * is anything other than another 8GB of the same speed) then your system will not work in Dual Channel and your 8GB will only work as fast as the 4GB you would like to install.
The Hardware will only run to its slowest component effectively down-tuning things.
As for speed, in DC mode there will be a small amount of speed gain however if you really want to increase speed then install a SSD.

**Bill73** · 09-22-2014, 11:28 PM

As an average computer user you believe what the guy in the computer shop tells you...they're suppose to know Confused

but it seems that's not the case...that's why I joined this Forum...to get the right information.

As I already have one 8GB stick of Ram...I'll need another 8GB stick to get Dual Channel...I think it would be cheaper than getting 2x4GB. Thanks for your help Guys.