Doesn't see the RAM upgrade

[Riff01]

Again, either of the 4Gig chips will run in slot zero.

If I can't get this sorted out I will resign myself to the fact that I only have 4gigs of memory; motherboard replacement is not really an option for me right now.

The "oringinal" chip is MT16KTF51264HZ-1G6M1

2Rx8 PC3 12800S this is the one that came with the unit (made in china) has 8 chips on each side for 16 total.

The new one is 4GB DDR3 PC3 10600 1333 Mhz, and says "2Rx8, 1.5v" This one is currently running in the computer.

I can't tell how many chips there are without removing the lable.

[Riff01]

According to speccy, it's running at 675 Mhz

[Riff01]

So, I installed the orginal 4 gig piece, it is running at 800 Mhz.

If the new one is rated at 1333Mhz, should that not also"throttle down" to match the "faster" piece?

Do they need to be identical?

[Huffer]

Well this is DDR (double data rate) so the speed your are seeing is doubled. The 800 is 1600 and the 667 +/- is 1333. 

You do not want to put in memory that acts as a boat anchor on the system. It does not "have" to be "identical" but that is the starting point and will always work. Mixing speeds is asking for trouble which I think you are seeing. 

[Riff01]

Yes, I see where that could be my problem, and the voltage difference too.

I'll see if this guy will take the memory back and send one that matches what's in there.

Thanks for pointing out the obvious solution! I didn't know about the DDR meaning, so I learned something new!

[Riff01]

Here's the final update on my issue.

I pulled 2 matched 2gig modules from my wife's laptop, and installed them in mine; only sees 2 gigs.

So, it would appear that the slot is damaged, and I am only going to have 4 gigs in slot 0.

I'm wondering if it's worth the performance increase to replace the motherboard so I can run 8gigs of RAM. I may do it, but I have other places for my money right now.

Thanks for all the good advice; you got me pointed in the right direction!

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

I believe it would accept a single 8 gig module? People ask me all the time "how much RAM do I need"? My answer is always "4 is barely enough, but is OK, 8 is great and the sweet spot, 16 is overkill unless you are doing serious content production type work with your computer."

Since this is a very instructive thread for people having memory problems, please mark "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.