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Adding RAM
Bruce McCormick 
   
9 months ago
When i contact both Dell and Crucial i get the impression i am communicating with people reading from a script.

I got a decent computer from Dell in December 2022. It came with a pair of 8GB RAM "chips". Using Crucial's analysis tool i ordered a pair of 32GB chips. They will be here any day, and by "any day", i mean "pick a day, any day" because UPS handed it off to the USPS, so i am hoping by Christmas.

I used to know this stuff but i'm afraid my memory is becoming unreliable. Having four RAM slots, can i efficiently run the 32GB on 0 and 2, and still run the 8GB in 1 and 3, or am i better off just running the 32GB pair alone?

I am not looking for a definitive answer, just an opinion as to what is normal, if you would be so kind!

Best Regards,
-Bruce
Sami Shamma  @Reply  
             
9 months ago
Ask Chat GPT give model numbers of both computer and memory cards.

Alternatively, just use the 32GB first, if your computer runs fine. stick with it.
Yonatan Weinberg  @Reply  
     
9 months ago
First check your manual.
You have to know what the limit for your computer is, You can have four slots but you might be limited in the amount the computer can handle.

Also I don't know what you need it for but I'm assuming that you need a faster speed, probably the 32GB RAM will have a faster speed, if you will use the 8gb together with the 32gb then the speed will go according to the lower stick.
Jeffrey Kraft  @Reply  
       
9 months ago
You can in most cases do it as long as the chips speeds are the same.  There however is a stability and performance issue when mixing ram sizes.  Make sure the mother board supports then total amount of RAM.

Compatibility: Make sure that your motherboard supports the total amount of RAM you plan to install. Check the motherboard's specifications to ensure it can handle the combined capacity of all the RAM sticks.
Dual Channel Mode: When using multiple RAM sticks, it's important to install them in the correct slots to enable dual channel mode. This can improve memory performance. Consult your motherboard's manual to determine the optimal slot configuration for your specific motherboard.

Timings and Frequencies: Mixing RAM sticks of different sizes may result in different timings and frequencies. This can potentially lead to stability issues. It's recommended to manually set the timings and frequencies in the BIOS to match the specifications of the slower RAM sticks.

Testing: After installing the RAM sticks, it's a good idea to run memory tests to ensure stability and compatibility. There are various software tools available, such as Memtest86, that can help you perform thorough memory testing.
Remember that while it is technically possible to use different sizes of RAM sticks, it's generally recommended to use RAM sticks of the same size and speed for optimal performance and stability. If possible, consider using RAM sticks that are all the same size to avoid any potential issues.
Kevin Yip  @Reply  
     
9 months ago
Find out the max RAM amount supported by your motherboard.  If it's 64GB, then you already reach the max with your two 32GB modules, and your two 8GB will be ignored.  Since you bought your PC in 2022 and it may be quite new, it may support 128GB max RAM.  But it's not about when you bought it, but how old the model was when you bought it.

If it does support higher than 64GB, you'll be able to use all 90GB of your four modules (do you really need that much RAM?).  But if the 8GB modules are inferior (less frequency, more latency, etc.), then all four modules will be as slow as the 8GB modules.  All modules can only perform at the level of the slowest module(s).  This is the reason you are recommended to use all identical 4 modules.  Or at least they should have the same specs.  But if they have the same specs, they may as well be the same brand and model.
Bruce McCormick OP  @Reply  
   
9 months ago
@ Mr. Shamma: May i ask how? I have never directly implemented any AI service; only getting AI through Google seaches (that i know of...)
@ Messrs. Weinberg, Kraft and Yip: 124GB, all DDR4-3200 ECC, i didn't know if there was anything else important to check. The two "chips" in there now are, i believe, are running in "interleaved" mode which is why i think i need to set up in "every other slot" configuration, but i very well will check the manual and i appreciate your reminding me of this. Finally, i truly doubt i "need" anywhere near this amount, but if it is all compatible without any drop in performance, i sure would hate to waste the two 8GB chips. I recall using memtest86 a number of years ago and though i honestly cannot recall what metrics it provided (i thought it was just to test good-or-bad since i can't really recall why i ran it), i will again and appreciate the input!

Thank you everyone!
-Bruce
Bruce McCormick OP  @Reply  
   
9 months ago
By the way, consider alternatives to Crucial. That they misrepresent the delivery method of using UPS as mentioned makes me call into question their corporate ethics at this point, much like Boeing. In fact, they did use UPS, who handed it off to USPS.

Apparently to cut costs they use a "service" where UPS simply hands off the item to USPS. Though i received on chip two days ago, the first chip ordered is still off where no man has gone before. They both took two days to travel from SLC, Utah to North Carolina, roughly 1,800 miles. I guess that was the UPS leg. Since then it has been 6 days and counting for the other chip to make it the whopping 167 miles to Fredericksburg, VA. According to tracking, it has been sitting at our local post office for the past three days in an "Acceptance Pending" status, which i presently translate to "lost".

I have always trusted UPS and rarely use USPS due to many similar instances over the years, including delays (up to 6 months), complete loss and internal theft. When i saw UPS was a method of shipment, that is what i took. I am sure that UPS handing it off to USPS is a cost saving move, but i would not have taken this if Crucial was fully transparent and i had known.

The focal point of all of the above as it relates to the product is that if Crucial is using such cost savings moves without disclosure, one must also question what other cost savings moves they have implemented. Like Boeing and that idiot capsule that has left two astronauts stranded up at the ISS for what will be months rather than the several days they had planned for, this move signals a change in philosophy at Crucial. It is highly improbable that the cost savings cuts will not affect how production and QC are handled.
Kevin Yip  @Reply  
     
9 months ago
That seems like a problem with your local post office only.  Many carriers transfer to USPS too, including international carriers.  This is done all the time nowadays.  Also, if a shipment doesn't arrive, it is the sender's responsibility, i.e. the merchant you bought the items from, to make it right, such as re-sending the items or refunding.
Bruce McCormick OP  @Reply  
   
9 months ago
Thank you Kevin-

That which i object to regarding Crucial is that i believe i was mislead that the transit was handled by UPS, in that historically their "lowest" level was UPS Ground (i've shipped, well, zillions of packages, usually legal forms and instruments through them).

With UPS Ground the longest it normally takes is five days, and i judged this distance to probably be four. In large part, my error, for they did state a probable delivery date of 9/11 (yep...). I wanted to presume this was a worst case scenario which they would almost certainly outperform.

As to the chip, it is either hopelessly at least temporarily lost at the local USPO or stolen, just as predicted.

I spoke with a Crucial rep Friday (you can't reach them if you select the option to talk about your order, you have to use something else that would require human interaction. Matter of fact, the recording states that they use AI in the vms process to make the interaction more "personalized". I think a person would accomplish that, but then, what do i know?). After much discussion they agreed to send a replacement out second day, for which i am still awaiting shipment notice.

I wish i could definitively state that the hand-off was shown or not shown at the time of order, but when i saw UPS i just selected that. It makes a big difference in reliability.
Kevin Yip  @Reply  
     
9 months ago
That's pretty much standard procedure nowadays, so it's not often explicitly stated.  USPS has the reach and storage space to deliver to areas that may be hard for other carriers to deliver to.  So the last leg of the delivery is often done by USPS.  Yes, shipments can get lost, but that can happen no matter the carrier or the method.

The more pressing issue nowadays is that after the pandemic, most (or all) couriers simply dump packages at the front door without even bothering to knock on your door.  You know the saying "Postman Always Rings Twice"?  Nowadays, they never ring once.  If the wind blows the package away, stray dogs eat your package, a thief stealing it, or any other mishaps happen while you're in the house or away at work, it is YOUR FAULT, not the carrier nor the courier, whose only responsibility is putting your package "at your premises."  Once they've done that, the delivery is deemed complete.  Anything bad that happens to your package after that is your misfortune.
Bruce McCormick OP  @Reply  
   
9 months ago
Well, i guess i shall just need to be happy that i am on the top side of the earth to complain about it!

This thread is now CLOSED. If you wish to comment, start a NEW discussion in General Discussion Forum.
 

 
 
 

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