The new 'High Performance' desktop systems from HP have conflicting specs, which is correct?.

[MIBOB]

HP Pavilion HPE h8qe for example. (Windows 7 (64 bit)) , the specifications show the number of DIMM slots to be 6. The max amount of memory seems to be 16 GB. I have purchased HP 'High Performance' desktops in the past which had 6 DIMM slots and a max of 24GB memory. Sales says 4 DIMM slots and 16 GB max memory (4GB DIMMs). This seems absolutely backwards to me. Why would desktops computers take a step backwards? I would expect 4 or 6 DIMM slots each capable of handling 8GB DIMMs for either 32 GB or 48 GB of MAX system memory. What is the truth ..... the offshore outsourced support seems to be reading from documentation which is conflicting. I just want to buy another HP computer that is moving me into the future rather than the past. Help me know the correct specs?

Thank you

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

The HP HPE h8qe comes with the Pittsburgh motherboard.  The motherboard supports quad channel memory operation using 4 dimms.  4 GB dimms appear to be the maximum size.  Quad channel memory bandwidth is currently the highest in the marketplace today.

HP uses a microATX motherboard and there is not enough room to place 8 dimm slots as you might find on a full size ATX motherboard.

There is at least one motherboard manufacturer that does have a microATX motherboard using the Intel 2011 socket that supports 8GB dimms.

Six dimm slots would be associated with triple channel memory operation.

[MIBOB]

I read your answer and it makes sense. It would make even more sense if the 4 DIMM slots could be capable of 8GB DIMMS, therefore the 'high performance' machine would always be improving (32GB vs.. 24 GB previously). But on the webpage HP seems to be making conflicting claims and I can't seem to get anybody's attention to fix it. Under the HP.com store

'

HP Pavilion HPE h8qe series

UPC: 8 86111 84117 2  '  the options show 4 DIMMS capable of 16 GB MAX.

But under the overview tab 'The option to add up to 24GB of DDR3 memory7  '

and under the specs tab 'Choices:
FREE UPGRADE to 10GB DDR3-1600MHz SDRAM [3 DIMMs] from 8GB
8GB DDR3-1600MHz SDRAM [2 DIMMs]
12GB DDR3-1600MHz SDRAM [4 DIMMs]
16GB DDR3-1600MHz SDRAM [4 DIMMs]

But also

Total memory slots 

6 DIMM

And it is confusing the heck out of the Indian and Mexican support teams that are trying to provide phone support reading the available data. Without having to invest in a workstation for video editing, I would like to have as much RAM as possible. It seems HP is not offering that capability at this time.

Thank you for your help.

Bob

[Big_Dave · Accepted solution]

Hi Bob,

The link that you provided is dead.

You are correct about the Overview and the Specs being different.  I'll let HP know.  Good find!

You might want to look at the HP Workstations if you need more than 16 GB.  The price jumps up considerably with the use of 8 GB dimms.  Some of the workstation models have 8 dimm slots so you might be able to get up to 32 GB without using 8 GB dimms which would hold the cost down.