Memory: Installing 4GB DIMM with stock 2GB DIMM

Hi there, if I wanted to install more memory to a Mac Pro 4,1 (8-core, 2.66), currently with 8 GB of memory (four 2GB modules), would I be better off installing 4GB DIMM, to save slot space so I may eventually upgrade to 32 GB? Or is it not wise to install 2GB DIMM memory with 4GB DIMM memory on the same system?

You can mix and match, so to speak, as long as you install the RAM minimally in pairs. See this:
About RAM installation in the Mac Pro
Mac Pro memory arrangement photos
Mac Pro Memory Configuration
Memory Tests- "2008" Mac Pro
Ram should be installed minimally in matched pairs and optimally in matched quads. This means the memory modules are the same size and specifications. They should also be equipped with the Apple-certified style of heat sink.

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Cannot install additional DIMMs

I purchased a w520 with 4gb of ram (2x 2gb) about two months ago and recently received some additional DIMMs to populate the other two slots. however when ever I use either of the two remaining slots (the one closet the system board under the keyboard, and the free slot on the underside) I get the beep code 1-3-3-1.
I've tried mixing and matching the combination of dimms (new only, old only, and one of both) and they work fine as long as I only use the original two slots and not the two free ones.
I'm not sure what to do at this point.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

I don't know about your system, but there are 2 dummy cards in 2 of the DIMMs in mine, both of which have a "Do not remove" symbol.

Weird! U350 + Win7 - shows less usable memory (2.84GB) with 4GB than with 3GB?

Hi,
I have a Ideapad U350, which came with Windows 7 32-bit, and 3GB of memory.
I just wanted to extend the RAM so installed instead of the 1GB of RAM a new one of 2GB. Before, Windows 7 shows "3GB installed and 2.87GB usable" but now, it shows "4GB installed and 2.84GB usable".
Now, I know that 32-bit Windows 7 will typically only show something less than 4GB if 4GB is installed, but I was really surprised that when I had the 2x2GB memory installed, Windows 7 showed 2.84GB!!!
In other words, Windows 7 32-bit is showing less usable memory when the 4GB (2x2GB) memory is installed, than when 3GB (2GB + 1GB) memory is installed...
I'm kind of puzzled about this. Just to be clear, as I said above, I *KNOW* that with 32-bit Win7, it wouldn't show the full 4GB, but I expected something like 3+GB usable with the 4GB, not < 3GB!!!
Can anyone here explain why this is happening?
Thanks,
Dragos
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Re-seating the RAM modules didn't solve the problem. I suppose that this issue is because I installed some 32-bit applications. I think I must avoid this and install ONLY 64-bit apps. For example I installed the 32-bit MS Office 2007 suite because some time ago I bought a license for 32-bit. I will reinstall the 64-bit OS version and will get back with conclusions/solution. Thanks for your support.

P7N SLI Platinum Unstable with over 2GB ram and/or dual channel memory on.

Hello need some help or to report something to MSI regarding blue screens, freezes when booting Vista 64 (SP1 + all fixes installed) with more then 2GB ram. Single channel mode works (either 1 stick of 2 GB or 3 sticks of 2GB) and is rock stable. Booting with 2 x 2 or 4 x 2 yields instability and blue screens.
I read over Microsoft's hotfix KB929777 however it appears this patch was applied during SP1. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929777 - when I attempted to apply this hotfix I got the message this update does not apply to your system.
Memory tested in other gaming system using 4 sticks of G.Skill 1066 DDR2 ram and still have the same issues. Other forums like Evga.com, Tom's hardware and 411overkill.com tend to suggest some problem with this new bios version 2.0, written by Nvidia. Some others mention possibly an Nvidia nforce driver issue.
Therefore, under duress during testing - with 1 stick or 3 sticks of ram, all tests perfect and passes all stability tests, good marks in Sandra, plays any game. With 2 or 4 sticks of ram, very unstable won't stay up but for seconds.
Any ideas? (Tested 7 ways until Sunday!)
My other rig, rocks solid and stable with Vista 64.... It's the Evga new mainboard 780i with triple SLI (132-CK-NF78-A1), 8gb of Gskill 1066ddr2, MSI 8800GT (x2 sli mode) Q6600 @ 3.2 ghz - Raid 0 on dual WD caviar 640 gb/sata 3.0gb/sec. Seasonic 700w p/s. 8gb of memory and not a hiccup. Ram 2.0 volts, cpu @ 1.36v. Will handle the memory from both systems with out fault.
Considering I can swap memory back and forth and confirm it's not the sticks, swap graphics boards (own 3 of them!) and rule out that....
Fyi. Any help is appreciated!

Dump question, but have you pickup the correct update e.g. for 64bit? ==> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=91672C7C-614B-404C-850C-377541E93C18&displaylang=en
"This comes inside SP1 for vista 64, as noted with my other system during the build. "
Better double check it.
Install all four memory sticks and do a memory check with >>Memtest86<< 1st, ensure that no error(s) will comes during testing.
Also how about that?:
Quote from: BOSSKILLER on 07-April-08, 23:55:36
Remove your OC then see how its goes.
"When the system boots in single channel mode (only 2 or 6gb of ram meaning 1 or 3 sticks installed into the 4 slots) its' rock stable. When it boots into dual channel mode (2 x 2 sticks or 2 x 4 sticks) extemely unstable. "
That means, timings are too tight, or they need a bit more vcore help, or some of the memory stick has failure.
"MSI P7N SLI Platinum - MS-7380 - Bios 2.0 on Vista Ultimate 64-bit - all updated."
That BIOS is not for your board, you should use 1.xx

A700: 8gb of memory installed, only 4gb are being used

The a700 that I purchased from lenovo.com was the top model (40244JU) in the a700 series and came with 8gb of memory installed. The os system screen properly shows the 8gb of memory installed. The bios screen shows only 4gb of memory installed, thus only 4gb are being used by the computer. Please tell me how to update the bios since there do not seem to be any bios updates for the a700 on lenovo.com.
Thank you.
Moderator edit: Matched subject to content.

Dear Customer
- There are several additional situations that could cause the usable RAM to be less than expected. These issues and possible solutions are listed here:
Check the system configuration settings
This problem may occur because the Maximum memory option is selected incorrectly. To fix this, follow these steps:
Click Start
Collapse this imageExpand this image
, type msconfig in the Search programs and files box, and then click msconfig in the Programs list.
In the System Configuration window, click Advanced options on the Boot tab.
Click to clear the Maximum memory check box, and then click OK.
Restart the computer.
Full Ram will be working properly
Please let me know
Thanks
Alaa
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HT3918 Can I leave the installed 4gb (2 X 2gb) of ram in my iMac and add 8 gb (2 X 4gb) of additional ram to the available (empty) slots?

Can I leave the installed 4gb (2 X 2gb) of ram in my iMac and add 8 gb (2 X 4gb) of additional ram to the available (empty) slots? I will ultimately swap the remaining 2 X 2gb out for 2 x 4gb. If so, does this affect how the ram is used/accessed (i.e. will the original ram be limiting because it is in the installed location rather than in the other previously open slots?) Thanks.

That's exactly the RAM arrangement I've been running with for the last couple of years with no issues.
2x2gb on one shelf and 2x4gb on the second.

MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo, 2.33GHz - installing 4GB memory

I know the Core 2 Duo, 2.33 GHz (pre-SR) Macbook Pro only supports 3GB RAM. I'd like to know if those on the forum are aware of issues if I install 4GB into it?

Not counting cost, would 2 x 2GB sticks be better anyway on one of these models? Would it still use the 128MBit memory addressing even though it is only 3.2GB being used?
I have one of these models and would love 4GB of RAM but definitely going to 3GB. I have 2 x 1GB right now, so I use the 128MBit memory addressing.
Thanks.

Acmcneill1ug 14, 2014 7:16 AM I have IMac OSX 10.9.4, 4GB,Processor 3.06 with Intell2Duo. I would like to check for Malware. I run a TechTool Pro 6 every month and that comes up great. When check how much memory I am using, with only Safar

Acmcneill1ug 14, 2014 7:16 AM
I have IMac OSX 10.9.4, 4GB,Processor 3.06 with Intell2Duo. I would like to check for Malware. I run a TechTool Pro 6 every month and that comes up great.
When check how much memory I am using, with only Safari open I am using 3.9 and more of her 4.0 memory. She is very. very slow in processing. I had 4000
trash to clean out and it took her over an hour to expel. Also for some reason Safari will not allow me to click on a link, in my G-mail, and let it go to the page.
It has a sign saying a pop-up blocker is on and will not let me do it. I must open the stamp to look at my e-mails and if I have redirected link now I can do it.
I have not changed my preferences so where is this pop-up blocker?
I have looked at preferences on Safari and Google, which I do not understand Google, and do not see where this blocker could be.
Malware is something I want to make sure is not on my computer. Tech Tool Pro 6 is all I know of and it does not detect Malware.
Help.
Ceil

Try Thomas Reed's Adware removal tool. He posts extensively in the communities.
Malware Guide - Adware
Malware Discussion

My Macbook 4,1 came with 1 GB of memory. Only 512MB shows up in the activity monitor. I just upgraded the memory to 4 GB. Although 2GB shows up in DIMM0 and DIMM1 it still only says I have 512MB of memory. Can someone help?

My Macbook 4,1 came with 1 GB of memory. Only 512MB shows up in the activity monitor. I just upgraded the memory to 4 GB. Although 2GB shows up in DIMM0 and DIMM1 it still only says I have 512MB of memory. Can someone help?

So when you go to  > About This Mac - How it should say how much ram there. Click on More Info - And click on Memory - What is in those fields?

MSI B75MA-E33 does see 2Gb of memory from 4Gb

My old m/b is dead (Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2). My 2 x mushkin Essentials 2Gb DDR3 1333MHz was working fine on that m/b. I decided to purchase replacement MSI B75MA-E33 + i3-3240. Specifications says that this memory is supported.
But BIOS see only 2Gb. I tried to switch memory sticks between ports with the same result. Any suggestions?

Socket looks OK. CPU was reseated. Still the same.
http :// forum.ixbt.com/post.cgi?id=attach:4:123096:2:1.jpg

Gosh Dang it, I can't make heads or tails of the memory install advice!...

I am not a noob user, and have always installed my own memory (even the "hidden" place in a mac mini).I have a new 3.0 8 core coming in a couple days... But I swear I am reading conflicting instructions on late model Mac pros. Older "late" models come w/2 slots filled on riser A, the new ones come w/slot 1 riser A, slot 1 riser B, and there's seemingly weird advice about 6 memory modules in the Mac pro PDF,(4 and 2?) etc, yadda yadda.
Okay, here's what I'm used to in my 2.5 G5: Pairs -- one of the pair in the top holder, and its twin in the bottom holder, end of story, up and down the line -- different GB sizes etc, you just simply matched it in the other holder w/the same brand and size
Now w/the new machine, is it not this way? For the record I will have the stock 2GB (2 X 1GB) from Apple, and 8GB (2 X 4GB) 3rd party arriving shortly....
One web site posted in this discussion section seemed to spell it our exactly like on my G5, but the other sources seem to contradict, as well as the posts I've read here. Is it now the same pairs in riser A, slot 1 & 2, then maybe different size modules (pair) in Riser B, slot 1 & 2?
Please can someone explain this clearly. Thanks!!!

Go read the article from Monday:
http://www.barefeats.com
There are four sets of pairs. Two sets on each Riser. The ideal is to have 4 DIMM slots, with two on each Riser.
While the 2008 "can" do it in a new way, it is not ideal or best. The G5 was different. And confused some.
I would have gone with 4 x 2GB. And then put the Apple 1 x 2GB on Riser A slots 3 and 4.
With yours you want the 2 x 1GB on the B Riser and the 2 x 4GB on the A Riser.
http://www.barefeats.com/harper3.html

Will upgrading my memory to 4gb make lion run like snow leapord use to?

I downloaded Lion thinking I would be able to do all the cool stuff the commercial said I would. Well I can't, so now I have Lion running on a computer that doesn't seem to be up for the task. I read that the min memory is 4gb and I only have 2gb. I am debating on whether or not go back to snow leopard which will make me backup everything or just ugrading to 4gb. I just worry that since 4gb is the min ram it still will be kind of slow.
Thanks

No really SL used way less resources then Lion does. upgrading will help some but Lion still won't run as fast as SL did on your Mac.
When I say more resources I mean more CPU cycles and accessing the HDD more along with using more RAM.
So it's just not the amount of RAM installed in the system.

Satellite L300-145 - BSOD appears if I install 4GB RAM

Hi all
i have this Satellite L300-145 PSLB0E-03601LPT and I want to install 4GB RAM but when I install 4GB on SO boot BSOD appears.
I try to change with other brand memorys with equal modules, I try to install Windows 7 64bit, Linux 9.10 64bit and it the same things. I try also to update BIOS but it the same.
I think it is Remap memory feature on bios but doesnt have that option.
So what i need to do?
My laptop have now 3GB
CPU: T2390 1,86Ghz 533Mhz
CHIPSET: GM965
RAM:2GB DDR2 533Mhz
HDD:Hitachi 200GB
After upgrade
CPU: T8300 2.4Ghz 800Mhz
RAM: 2GB DDR2 667Mhz
HDD: Seagate 7200.4 250GB
I realy need 4GB

Im sorry i confuse with other chipset.
But if i can get 800Mhz and 3GB 667Mhz Dualchannel its very good.
But i dont understand the BSOD.
This is my test:
1) I install 3 difrent 2GB modules and i get the same BSOD on boot OS, but i can enter on bios and i can see on memory info. 4096MB.
2) I try to instal 3GB and laptop boot well but i find one problem if i put Bank0:1GB and Bank1:2GB laptop boot ok but if i swap i get the same error BSOD.
I think one slot cannot address 2048MB of size.
If i install only 2GB on that slot i get the same BSOD.
I have 3 tips of ram
2GB 533Mhz 667Mhz and 800Mhz with difrent brands and chips.
why i this BSOD only appears on boot OS and i can enter on bios without a problem?
Sry for my poor english
Best regards

770T-C45 Maiboard - blue screen error when installing 4GB RAM

Greetings,
I bought the MSI 770T-C45 mainboard to replace my older mainboard (ASUS M2N32 SLI Vista Premium). The problem is that the MSI board resulting blue screen when i install 4GB of RAM. First i thought maybe because of the BIOS. The same problem occur after i flashed the BIOS with the latest version using MSI Live Update. Here are my current PC information:
AMD Athlon II X2 X245 - 2900MHz (overclock to 3487MHz)
MSI 770T-C45
1Gb OCZ Gold PC6400 (3 sticks)
PowerColor ATI HD4870 1Gb Stalker Edition
Hitachi SATA2 250Gb
Vista x86 SP2
CoolerMaster extreme power 550Watts
I wanted to use Vista x64, but since my board can only support 3GB of RAM, so i use vista x86 instead.
Could anyone give me some suggestions? It is a waste to not fully use all the DIMM slots.

Quote from: Svet on 21-March-10, 10:15:34
remove the OC
unfortunately the problem occur before the OC.. i just did the OC yesterday..

Message "Failed to create Java Virtual Machine" while installing HANA Studio with SP08

Installing HANA Studio with SP08 but getting error as follows:
HANA Version
Errors:
System Info : Win7(32 bit ), 2GB RAM, 500GB HDD

Not same case but related with Java: 32Bit VI Java Virtual Machine error
In this discussion Hanry Banks answers as follows:
1. Did you install using "Run As Administrator"?
2. In your Advanced System Properties, Go to Environment Variables > System Variables
Look for the 'Path' variable. It should include the following values: C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin
In the same area, look for the 'JAVA_HOME' variable. It should point to C:\Program Files\Java\jre6
- Can you confirm?
3. Also go Control Panel > Java > Java Control Panel > Java tab > View > User > Path. It should point to C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\javaw.exe .
- How does it look for you?
How much memory is available on your machine as you launch? Go to: Task manager > Performance > Physical Memory > Available (MB)

Memory: Installing 4GB DIMM with stock 2GB DIMM

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