Official GIGABYTE Forum

Why must DIMMs be installed starting with the lowest number first?

Hey all, first post here so sorry if it's in the wrong section. It's not really an Intel exclusive topic but it's the most suitable forum that I could see.

Anyway, why is it always recommended to install two sticks of RAM in a certain order?
Eg, "For optimum performance, when enabling Dual Channel mode with two memory modules,
we recommend that you install them in the DDR3_1 and DDR3_2 sockets."

I get the difference between single and dual channel but why can't you install the sticks in DDR3_3 and DDR3_4 (blue) sockets?
Why does it have to start with the lowest number first?

Thanks for any replys, I haven't been able to find the answer anywhere.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2012, 04:30:22 am by Crazy_Insane »

Re: Why must DIMMs be installed starting with the lowest number first?
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2012, 05:27:03 am »
Channel 1 and 2 are the primary on the controllers.  These have two controllers with each controller having 2 channels.  The want the primary channels as they are designed that way.

However, I've used the secondary successfully every time.  The aftermarket CPU coolers block the first channel on older boards (slot closest to the cpu) and newer boards have moved them to the slot furthest from CPU for added heatsink clearance.

But as I've said, I've never had an issue ever.  I know some MB makers create custom motherboards and may have issues?

-=Mark=-
Lian-Li PC-Q06 GigaByte A75-UD4H AMD A8-3870K 8GB (2x4GB) G. Skill DDR3-1866 CL8 HD 6550D Antec 450 Platinum (EA-450)

Danger Den Torture Rack Gigabyte Z68XP-UD4 i7-2600K 4GB (2 x 2GB) G.Skill 1333 CL9 XFX 6870 Double-D Sparkle 700Watt 80Plus Platin

Dark Mantis

  • *
  • 18405
  • 414
  • 10typesofpeopleoneswhoknow binaryandoneswhodont
    • Dark Mantis
Re: Why must DIMMs be installed starting with the lowest number first?
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2012, 11:52:45 am »
Just to add to what has already been said by MarkJohnson the primary slots were originally put closest to the CPU as they were physically the closest and therefore the fastest. Although this difference is minute it was considered worthwhile.
Gigabyte X58A-UD7
i7 920
Dominators 1600 x6 12GB
6970 2GB
HX850
256GB SSD, Sam 1TB, WDB320GB
Blu-Ray
HAF 932

Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
i7 3770K
Vengeance 1600 16GB
6950 2GB
HCP1200W
Revo Drive x2, 1.5TB WDB RAID0
16x DLRW
StrikeX S7
Full water cooling
3 x 27" Iiy