RAM Question

[Dolby]

So got a PC from a friend earlier which has the below details.

MSI Z77MA-G45
2 x 4GB 1600mhz, 9-9-9-24 1.50v

The board has 4 DIMM slots and when I received it, two two modules were installed in DIMM 3 and DIMM 4 (ie one blue, one black). It worked perfectly - but I decided to change to both black (DIMM 2 and DIMM 4)... then it gave an error?

I switched back and it works again?
Not supposed to either be DIMM 1 and 3 - or DIMM 2 and 4 ?

 

[ponder]

Check if dual channel is enabled in bios, dunno if newer MBs still require this but recall such a setting yonks ago.

 

[CamiKaze]

Are the ram sticks of the same brand? and exactly the same?

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Put them in the blue slots, that may help as that's DIMM1 and DIMM3. It may be expecting something in the first bank?

 

[Dolby]

Ok thanks - will try

RAM sticks are identical

Is there a difference between blue and black ?

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Is there a difference between blue and black ?

No, the colours just let you know which slots you should use together, either both in black or both in blue if you have one in each colour then you don't get dual channel speeds.

 

[JCM]

Would you like to sell that MB?

 

[Dolby]

Is that a bad motherboard ?

Anyhow - seems it was the dual channel thing.

Is DRAM supposed to half in dual channel?

EDIT : Google says is supposed to