Does RAM have to be installed in pairs?

Question

I have 4 RAM slots on my computer. I have 2 1GB sticks of RAM in it. If I want to add more memory, do I have to do it in pairs or could I just install one 1 GB stick of RAM?

Thank you

Answer 1

You don't have to install in pairs, you can just install one if you want.

Answer 2

You can install it one at a time.

If you have dual channel memory support there is an advantage to installing it in pairs and this will increase your memory bandwidth. Typically dual channel motherboards have 4 slots with 2 slots one colour and two slots a second colour. You want to put a matched pair of memory DIMMS into slot 0 and 2. Or 1 and 3.

Answer 3

Older platforms necessary RAM in pairs. in the present day's desktops do no longer have that requirement. Your advance of the 512M of RAM can assist your pc. in case you'll get to the different 256 to modify it then you definitely will be that a lot extra helpful. otherwise it truly is going to run effective with the 768 that you've put in.

Answer 4

With servers - yes, RAM must be installed in pairs. I think it must apply to small workstations as well.

Well its just related to performance. And with servers we are more concerned with performance than anything else. So even though u install a single RAM stick it should work (if you are not concerned with performance).

Answer 5

You could just install one 1GB stick of RAM.

Answer 6

You don't have to install paris of RAM, but RAM works better in pairs.

Answer 7

You are pretty OK w/ that 2x1Gb RAM. Just make sure they are on the slots w/ same color so that they would run fast on dual channel mode. Adding one more stick will just bring you down to single channel mode.