Should RAM be installed in duel slots only?

Question

I Have my system and my Gf's which has 4 RAM slots each.

In my System I have 2Gb (1Gb x 2) and her's has 1Gb (512Mb x2).

I just bought two 1Gb DDR2 sticks. I'm wondering if I can upgrade my System to 3Gb and hers to 2Gb with these additional sticks. Some people tell me that you must have each stick in a pair the same, i.e. I can not have 3 slots filled and a forth empty. Others tell me with modern DDR2 it does not matter and I can arrange them how I like.

Which is true?

Answer 1

Without the model/type of both motherboards its hard to say.

You can try it in each and see if it is recognized when you boot up. If it isn't recognized, then you will have to put in paired sticks.

Putting just one in, will not harm your system or memory. So try it out.

With consumer motherboards, you usually do not have to pair up memory.

Another configuration if you are unsure, is take her 2x512, and put your new ram in her's.

Answer 2

www.crucial.com they will tell you what you have, what you need and what EXACTLY you should get

Answer 3

You can upgrade to 3gb no prob,just make sure they in alignment or sticks of same size in identical slots,meaning if u put 1gb on slot 1 then put another 1gb on slot 3,this will help u experience dual channel capability.

Use these tool to check if its dual channel or not

www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

Answer 4

Its true that it makes a lot of difference.... its better to use ram in pairs... it gives better performance...

I suggest you put those two new sticks either to yours or hers, not both