Which slots for best RAM rendering in Elite 8300 MT - Channel discrepancy between BIOS and HP manual

[Az2022]

Hello.

I just purchased a kit of 2x8GB DDR and added them to my current 4GB DDR in my HP Compaq Elite 8300 MT (to get a 20GB of memory in Flex mode) following the manual's recommendations which are:

• Populating first the black slots, and
• Putting the largest memory quantity in Channel A.

So, following these recommendations and the image of the system board from HP manual, I organised the memory sticks like this (see the screenshot):

From the processor to the border of the motherboard:

• White slot: 4GB.
• Black slot: 8GB.
• White slot: Empty.
• Black slot: 8GB.

Which, according to the manual, is 12GB in channel A and 8GB in channel B.

But, when I checked the BIOS, it says that I have only 8GB in channel A and 12GB in channel B (see the screenshot).

So, I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, or maybe it's just a typo in the manual or the info the BIOS is giving is not accurate!!

I wish you could give me your advice on this issue, especially if I'm putting the RAM sticks exactly as recommended by the manual to get a flex mode.

Thank you very much.

Motherboard from Manual

My memory organisationMemory Info from BIOS

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The only thing I would have done differently than you did would have been to install the 4 GB memory chip in DIMM slot # 2, and left slot #4 white empty.

I recommend that you solve the problem by purchasing another 4 GB memory chip and add it in the empty white slot and you will have 24 GB of memory running in the higher performing dual channel mode.

[Az2022]

Thanks Paul for your reply.

I installed the largest amount of memory in DIMM4 and DIMM3 assuming that they constitue Channel A according to the manual.

So, do you believe the BIOS info is more accurate?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

Dimm 1 (black) should have an 8 GB memory chip installed.

Dimm 2 (white) should have a 4 GB memory chip installed

Dimm 3 (black) should have an 8 GB memory chip installed

Dimm 4 (empty for now).  Put a 4 GB chip in there when you can.

That's the way the memory should be configured.

Here's what you can do for an experiment...

If you temporarily remove the 4 GB chip and just have the 2 x 8 GB of memory in the black memory slots, the PC should report 16 GB running in dual channel mode.

[Az2022]

Ok, I changed the 4GB stck from DIMM4 to DIMM2 as you advise. 

BIOS is now, of course, showing Channel A (its channel A!) with 8+4GB, and channel B with 8GB.

I think I will keep this configuration.

Thank you very much, Paul, for your assistance. 

Have a great day.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

Like I wrote earlier, the situation is easily solved by installing a second 4 GB memory chip in the white slot to have 24 GB running in dual channel mode.