Desktop Memory

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Common Questions about Desktop Memory

Introduction

For a sluggish or underperforming desktop computer, a PC memory upgrade is often an effective way to increase performance. However, choosing the right desktop memory upgrade is not always easy. If you are looking for desktop memory, the memory finder tool is an excellent resource. In the next section, NeweggBusiness answers several of the most common questions about upgrading PC memory.

Questions

Why does PC memory have MHz ratings and what do they mean?

The MHz rating for PC memory is an indication of how quickly it can transfer data. The higher the MHz rating, the quicker the memory can transfer data. However, the transfer speed is bottlenecked by the motherboard and processor. If a stick of memory is rated at 1600 MHz but the processor and motherboard are limited to 1333 MHz, the memory will operate at the slower speed.

What does latency or timing mean for PC memory?

PC memory timings are performance measurements based around four parameters. These four ratings are written as four numbers separated by dashes, such as 7-8-7-24. It is better to have lower timings, as that means less latency. You should prioritize having lower latencies over faster MHz ratings.

What does memory voltage mean?

In order for PC memory modules to achieve their rated timings, they must operate at indicated voltages. If the memory modules are ran either under or over-voltage, there will be a risk of system instability and damage to the memory. However, increasing memory voltage can also lower timings for slightly faster performance.

Are there any advantages to multi-channel memory kits?

Multi-module PC memory upgrades are often marketed as dual-channel, triple-channel, or quad-channel. Known as matched memory, they are designed to work in conjunction for slightly increased performance. However, the motherboard must support multi-channel memory for there to be any benefit.

For example, if you have a motherboard that supports dual-channel memory, utilizing a matched 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) memory upgrade kit will net slightly better performance gains than two unmatched 4 GB memory sticks.

Can I use different memory brands, capacities, and speeds in the same computer?

Yes, you can use PC memory modules from different brands, with different capacities, and different speeds in the same computer. However, there will be no multi-channel performance gains because they will not be matched sets of memory. In addition, if the PC memory modules have different speeds, they will all run at the speed of the slowest module.

Are there limitations on how much memory I can install?

Yes, there are several limiting factors on how much memory you can install into one system. Most desktop motherboards only accommodate up to four unbuffered memory modules. On top of that, the largest capacity for a single unbuffered memory module is 8 GB. So the maximum amount of memory based on hardware limitations is 64 GB for unbuffered memory.

Another limitation on the benefits of additional PC memory is the operating system. An operating system can only utilize a limited amount of memory, and any extra memory past that amount will not be recognized. For example, Windows® 8 64-bit supports a maximum of 128 GB of PC memory while Windows 8 32-bit supports up to 4 GB. Past those maximums, any extra PC memory will not be recognized.

By NeweggBusiness Staff