Which slots to add memory to HP Envy desktop

[JudyB-Maine]

I'd like to add additional memory to my new HP Envy computer - and I have watched several videos, looked inside, and used the hwi_586 utility to see where the installed memory is, and I still have a question. The two 8 GB DIMMs that came with the computer are in slots 0 and 2 (per the utility, though articles seem to name the slots 1-4), and there are two empty slots (presumably 1 and 3 - I've searched in vain for a motherboard manual or anything that will tell me which slots are which). When I initially asked for help buying memory that would be compatible, the reply here said I could put my two new 16 GB DIMMs in the two empty slots - but the video on your site for installing memory said that paired slots were usually color coded - and there are two black slots next to each other and then two blue slots, and the existing memory is in one of each. Should I move one of the existing 8 GB DIMMs so they're both in the same color slots, then use the remaining slots which will then both be the same color for my two new 16 GB DIMMs? Or is it really OK to have one of each in the black slots and one of each in the blue slots?  Thanks!

[banhien]

@JudyB-Maine 

Normally we install RAM sticks in pair to get benefit of dual channels architecture. Your machine uses Berks motherboard which has 4 slots of RAM. We should say from 0 to 3 because each slot has an address, starts from 0 but we can count from 1 to 4 for easy to understand.

Yes, it is better to use 2 new RAM sticks on same color slots and move old sticks to other color slots.

Regards.

[Grzwacz]

Greetings,

Welcome back to the forum.

I am not a HP employee.

Most MB vendors color code the slots to identify each memory channel. A four slot configuration usually has alternating colors. For example; grey, black, grey, black.

Channel one would be the grey slots, channel two would be the black slots. Slot enumeration usually starts at the CPU and works out to the edge of the motherboard.

HP seems to be configuring the slots so that adjacent memory slots have the same color.

It should not matter what slots you use to install two more compatible memory modules if you are populating all memory slots.

Regards

[wb2001 · Accepted solution]

@JudyB-Maine,

You have been pondering this question for a long while, as shown  here.

Let me correct some issues.

1) When you "ran" HWiNFO64 program, you clicked on the memory and the installed memory was listed. Regardless of the slot numbers, did the configuration mention "DUAL Channel"?  If so, follow that definition. Your want dual channel mode and the same matching speed.

2) Memory must be purchased for that particular unit. Off the shelf generic coding is not guaranteed to work.

795-0500 NZ      795-0500NG  are different part numbers for a 32GB kit (two 16GB modules)

3) When you do purchase the new pair,  remove the existing pair, and put in those slots. The 2 slots that were not used are for the original RAM modules. This is very important. The unit needs to draw from the first dual channel pair before it accesses the second dual channel pair.

I was doing so much research on your question that I was third in line to offer an assist.

[Grzwacz]

Hi,

Install the new memory modules in channel one or then try channel two if you get a memory error code at boot.

The key is to buy compatible memory modules or you will not have a good day.

Regards

[JudyB-Maine]

@Wb2001

Thank you (and the other responders) for your patience - I'm reasonably tech-savvy in other areas, but this is new to me and I'm trying to learn the language.

1) Yes, it is now dual channel

2)  Unfortunately no one suggested a source for compatible memory originally; I waited until Amazon had done enough testing that they had modules they listed as compatible.  The current memory units are PC4-21300 DDR4-2666 - and so are the ones I bought.  Hopefully they will work.

3)  Am I understanding correctly that by replacing the modules in rows 0 and 2, the larger modules will be used first, which seems as if it would be more efficient?  And then I can put the original RAM modules in the empty slots, rows 1 and 3?

Thank you again for your help, and once I actually have this working, I'll be happy to report a Solution.

[JudyB-Maine]

It worked!

I have 48GB dual channel memory - thank you all!