Computer Upgrades

Berton · 04 May 2020

I have a computer with 6GB RAM running dual-channel, has 2 x 2GB modules and 2 x 1GB modules. It doesn't seem to matter about the sizes but with 2, 4 or more slots the matching of the pairs is important.

Megahertz · 04 May 2020

Berton, the computer seems to have only two memory slots. So the memory on it should be 4+8G

JoeShades, to clone the 1T HDD into a 2T SSD it's very easy.
You will only need:
- physically attach the SSD to the case
- install the SATA cable and the power cable to the SSD
- Boot from your existing HDD.
- Download and Install Macrium Reflect 7 Free Edition
- Clone the existing HDD to the SSD
- Shutdown, detach the existing HDD (SATA or power cable) and boot from the SSD.
- If everything works, shutdown, attach the existing HDD (SATA or power cable) and boot from the SSD. Delete all partitions on the existing HDD and format it to use as a backup drive.

It wont take an hour and we can guide you on all steps.

JoeShades · 04 May 2020

Megahertz said:

Berton, the computer seems to have only two memory slots. So the memory on it should be 4+8G

JoeShades, to clone the 1T HDD into a 2T SSD it's very easy.
You will only need:
- physically attach the SSD to the case
- install the SATA cable and the power cable to the SSD
- Boot from your existing HDD.
- Download and Install Macrium Reflect 7 Free Edition
- Clone the existing HDD to the SSD
- Shutdown, detach the existing HDD (SATA or power cable) and boot from the SSD.
- If everything works, shutdown, attach the existing HDD (SATA or power cable) and boot from the SSD. Delete all partitions on the existing HDD and format it to use as a backup drive.

It wont take an hour and we can guide you on all steps.

Thanks for the help but I am leaning right now on keeping this for a bit longer and just getting something new

Berton · 04 May 2020

Megahertz said:

Berton, the computer seems to have only two memory slots. So the memory on it should be 4+8G.

Missed that, I have a Dell Latitude E6410 with 2 slots running a 4GB and a 2GB in Dual-channel mode but the only difference in the modules are the sizes, all other specs are as they were offered by Crucial.

Megahertz · 04 May 2020

Berton said:

Missed that, I have a Dell Latitude E6410 with 2 slots running a 4GB and a 2GB in Dual-channel mode but the only difference in the modules are the sizes, all other specs are as they were offered by Crucial.

Is it possible to have Dual-channel mode with different memory sticks? For what I know, the memory sticks MUST be exactly the same (both sticks must be a match pair (same brand, same model, same chip sets, same speed and timings))

bobkn · 04 May 2020

Megahertz said:

Is it possible to have Dual-channel mode with different memory sticks? For what I know, the memory sticks MUST be exactly the same (both sticks must be a match pair (same brand, same model, same chip sets, same speed and timings))

It has been a long time since I used unmatched RAM, but it's possible. I had to manually set the RAM timings, as just using the SPD didn't cut it. I vaguely recall that I had to back off on the latency by one tick.

Megahertz · 04 May 2020

bobkn said:

It has been a long time since I used unmatched RAM, but it's possible. I had to manually set the RAM timings, as just using the SPD didn't cut it. I vaguely recall that I had to back off on the latency by one tick.

You can manually change some timings, but they must be same size.
What is Dual Channel Mode? – RamCity Help

W10 Tweaker · 04 May 2020

Megahertz said:

You can manually change some timings, but they must be same size.
What is Dual Channel Mode? – RamCity Help

I've always thought that is the case. Is this test utility wrong?

NavyLCDR · 04 May 2020

Megahertz said:

You can manually change some timings, but they must be same size.
What is Dual Channel Mode? – RamCity Help

Not on all motherboards. I've read manuals that stated if two different size RAM sticks were used, the smaller of the two would be dual channel with the other stick(s) and the remainder of the large sticks would be single channel. For example, if 4 slots are filled, 2 with 8 GB sticks and 2 with 4 GB sticks, then the first 16 GB would run in dual channel and the remaining 8 GB would run in single channel.

sygnus21 · 04 May 2020

Two things in my opinion...

SSD's - with today's SSD prices I see no reason not to get at minimum a 256gig drive. Preferably a 512gig. While you'll find you never have enough storage space, having the OS and all your programs on a small drive is going to be problematic down the road and you'll find yourself sooner rather than later wishing for my SSD space.

Yeah, some will advise splitting the OS, but I'm not a believer in that and prefer to keep the OS and all it's native folders together. There's no rule that says you can't move the data itself to another drive of your choosing.

RAM, while Windows does work with 4gig of RAM, for breathing / performance room, and again, pricing.... nothing less than 8gig. You will find that multitasking will also use a lot of RAM. Example you surf the net and listen to music, while also using some social media app.

In my opinion today's builds should at minimum have at least 8gig of RAM and 256gig SSD drive. Look around at store sold systems and most will have at least that.

My two cents.