Memory Upgrade

[GregTj]

I have a HP Envy Phoenix 850-160se CTO that has a Viking 2B3A motherboard. I would like to know what memory slots to use for two Crucial16Gb DDR4 memory sticks 

[resistencia]

Hi @GregTj 

You are sure of the model, it will not be the 860.

HP - Compaq ENVY Phoenix 860-160se CTO | Actualizaciones de memoria RAM y SSD | Crucial MX

[GregTj]

Hi

No, it's a HP Envy Phoenix 850-160se CTO

[resistencia]

That model does not exist, are you sure? You can open your HP Support assistant and see the model or product number (SKU) that has this ASDFG#ABC form. or give me the link to the support page for that model where you can download the drivers.

[GregTj]

Hi Resistencia,

My packing slip shows my system as a 850-160se.  Bios shows 860-160se.

System ID 2B3A Product ID N0X16AV#ABA

My question is what Dimm Slots should be used for 2- 16GB Dual Channel Memory memory sticks. For this motherboard it may not matter, just asking.

My original 2 - 8GB memory sticks were in Dimm Slots 3&4. I installed my new 16GB in Slots 3&4. Runs fine, ran HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Memory Tests. No errors. Are Dim Slots 3&4 the ideal location for 2 - 16GB memory sticks to fully utilize the speed of the memory?

[resistencia]

It is the model that I previously indicated, It is called memory population, when you put memory in all slots it always works in dual channel, you can use a program compo CPU-Z and see if it works in dual channel, usually when you have 4 slots you use slot 1 and 3 for dual channel if only two memories are to be used

[GregTj]

Hi Resistencia,

I downloaded CPU-Z.

Slots 3 & 4 were used by HP for original 2-8GB memory sticks. Did not test with CPU-Z, no longer in possession of them. But if I remember correctly the BIOS showed Dual Channel.

New Crucial 2-16M memory sticks in slots 3 & 4, tested Dual Channel. BIOS also.

I also tested them in slots 1 & 3 and slots 2 & 4, and both tested Dual Channel. BIOS also.

I didn't bother testing with Slots 1 & 4, assumed results would be the same. 

After, all said and done, I found the Viking motherboard specifications that I downloaded from HP in 2015. Under memory upgrade information it mentions Quad Channel Architecture. You learn something new every day!

Thank you, Resistencia for all your efforts.

[resistencia · Accepted solution]

You're welcome