What RAM can I increase to?

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garcla858

Member
I've had a desktop from PCSpecialist since Aug 2011 but as I am now doing a lot more photo-editing (Lightroom, Photoshop etc) I'd really like to increase the RAM. I tried doing this via the upgrade options on their website but it stated 'No amendment options are available for this item' (i.e. in relation to to upgrading RAM option). So does this mean that I'm already at the maximum for my set-up which is as follows:

CPU- AMD PHENOM II X4 955 (3.20GHz / 8MB CACHE/AM3) - BLACK EDITION

RAM- 4GB SAMSUNG DDR3 DUAL-DDR3 1333MHz (2 x 2GB)

GRAPHICS - 1GB AMD RADEON HD6670


Ideally I'd like to go up to 12GB RAM but I presume from the above current spec (2 x 2GB) that there are only two slots? So am I limited to 8GB (i.e. 2 x 4GB) or can't I even go that far and am stuck with the current 4GB?

Thanks, any advice would be appreciated.
 
Kai121

Kai121

Bronze Level Poster
Garcla858 - What motherboard do you have? Once we know the make and model of that we can advise you on how much RAM you can handle! If you are unsure what one you have go into your account and your previous order and all the information should be in their :)
 
T

terhil

Active member
Google the Motherboard you have, then look at the specifications. It will tell you how many slots you have and the maximum the board can take. Looking at your CPU i'm guessing the max ram will be 8gb, maybe 16gb. Until you know this I'd refrain from buying new ram has you may spend money only to find that you have wasted it.

Hope this helps :)
 
G

garcla858

Member
Sorry, forgot the motherboard spec! It is as follows:

ASUS® M5A87: AM3+ PLATFORM, DUAL DDR3,SATA 6.0GB/s, USB 3.0

Had a quick look via Google but not sure on what I've read - seen references to 8GB (2 x 4GB) - is that it then? Seems to imply just two slots. Presume the simplest would be to buy Samsung DDR3 again if so? Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.
 
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garcla858

Member
Thanks for that. So if there are 4 slots, could I keep the existing 4 GB (i.e. 2 x 2GB) and just add 8GB in the other 2 unused slots (i.e. 2 x 4GB), giving me a total of 12GB? Or can you not mix 2GB and 4Gb RAM modules?

If I can't do that then I'd probably just get 3 x 4GB.

Either way it would give me the 12GB I want and if that isn't enough then I could later upgrade further to 16GB if needed.
 
vanthus

vanthus

Member Resting in Peace
I've never had a problem installing varying memory sizes,but best check your motherboard user guide manual under "memory configurations".
If you don't have the user manual you can download it from the link Rakk posted.
 
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G

garcla858

Member
Thanks all. Finally decided to go to max 16GB - ordered today so will see how it goes when installed. Thanks again.

Gary
 
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