256GB RAM

Which RAM Slots Should I Use?

Which RAM slots you can mount your memory in can vary, depending on the form factor of your motherboard. Smaller boards, such as Mini-ITX, may only have two DIMM slots, while larger models, such as ATX, can have four or more. Another factor is how many physical sticks of RAM you have. For best results, you should check your motherboard’s instruction manual.

When populating a four-slot motherboard with memory, the most common methods are listed below. In these examples, the slot closest to the CPU is slot one and the furthest away is slot four.

• One Stick: With a single stick of RAM, you should use DIMM slot four. This provides you with a single channel RAM configuration and maximises the clearance for a CPU cooler.
• Two Sticks: Two sticks of RAM allows for a dual-channel configuration. The first stick should be still clipped into the slot four. Meanwhile, the second stick should be installed into slot two, minimising cooler interference from your RAM.
• Three Sticks: Similar to two, three sticks utilise DIMM slots two, four, and three. This still provides a dual-channel memory configuration and maximum clearance for a CPU cooler.
• Four Sticks: With four sticks, it is a simple matter of populating all four slots with a RAM stick. This provides a dual-channel configuration for your memory but does minimise RAM clearance for a CPU cooler.