Corsair Personal Computer AN806 User Manual
AN806: Memory Upgrade Resource Guide
Mike Clements, Corsair Memory Inc.
Introduction
Here at Corsair we are always looking forward. One current trend we have noticed is the
growing number of people upgrading their desktop PC memory. Due to the progression of
current memory offerings and current motherboard offerings, there are a growing number of
factors to consider before making your upgrade. These factors can greatly impact the
effectiveness of the memory upgrade.
growing number of people upgrading their desktop PC memory. Due to the progression of
current memory offerings and current motherboard offerings, there are a growing number of
factors to consider before making your upgrade. These factors can greatly impact the
effectiveness of the memory upgrade.
The most critical factors to consider when upgrading the memory in your computer are how
many modules you will have in the system, whether or not you overclock your system, and
which operating system you will be using. These factors are discussed in detail below.
many modules you will have in the system, whether or not you overclock your system, and
which operating system you will be using. These factors are discussed in detail below.
The Number of Memory Modules Used
Most new computers and motherboards have four DIMM sockets. Typically, when a new
computer is purchased, OR when building a new PC, only two of these sockets are
populated. So, upgrading the system is usually done by either [1] adding two more DIMMs
to the pair already in the system, or [2] putting in two new DIMMs and discarding the old
DIMMs.
computer is purchased, OR when building a new PC, only two of these sockets are
populated. So, upgrading the system is usually done by either [1] adding two more DIMMs
to the pair already in the system, or [2] putting in two new DIMMs and discarding the old
DIMMs.
For users opting to use four
memory modules, referred to hereafter as “4-up”, there are
many considerations. First, 4-up places a greater electrical load on the memory controller
than 2-up. This increased load can result in instability if the BIOS is not tuned or tweaked to
compensate. The user should make certain that their motherboard BIOS allows
adjustments to the memory controller voltage. Additionally, users should be certain that
their motherboard is capable of cooling the memory controller as it will generate more heat
with 4-up and the increased voltage.
than 2-up. This increased load can result in instability if the BIOS is not tuned or tweaked to
compensate. The user should make certain that their motherboard BIOS allows
adjustments to the memory controller voltage. Additionally, users should be certain that
their motherboard is capable of cooling the memory controller as it will generate more heat
with 4-up and the increased voltage.
This increased load of 4-up is not an additional load on the memory modules. Many users
mistakenly increase memory voltage when running 4-up and most often when trying to
address stability issues. This is not necessary as a motherboard is configured to supply the
BIOS set voltage to each slot, regardless of how many slots are filled. Increasing the
memory voltage over the rated voltage should only be necessary when overclocking or
using memory that exceeds the
mistakenly increase memory voltage when running 4-up and most often when trying to
address stability issues. This is not necessary as a motherboard is configured to supply the
BIOS set voltage to each slot, regardless of how many slots are filled. Increasing the
memory voltage over the rated voltage should only be necessary when overclocking or
using memory that exceeds the