RAM
RAM
I was thinking about increasing my RAM for my computer and got a bit mixed up because it varies by system. My current setup is 8GB, aiming to boost it to 16GB. The hardware I have is an Intel Core i5-10400F at 2.90GHz, with 2904 MHz clock speed, 6 cores, and 12 logical processors.
Computer boards compatible with your processor can feature 2 or 4 memory slots. Memory modules come in 4 GB, 8 GB or larger capacities. In the most unlikely situation, your board only offers 2 slots and you already have 2 x 4 GB sticks installed, meaning you’d need to swap those with larger ones. IF you possess a single 8 GB stick, adding another 8 GB should work best, matching your existing specs as closely as possible. If you have four slots and two are occupied by 4 GB sticks, you might opt for one 8 GB stick, but it’s wiser to maintain pairs—either remove the two 4 GB sticks and install two 8 GB, or combine two 4 GB with two 8 GB. It’s crucial to identify your board type and installed RAM. Easy tools like CPU-Z (free) or Aida64 (trial, more detailed) can help. Alternatively, check the side panel of your case for RAM count and model details (usually displayed clearly).
B460M PRO (MS-7C88) is the model I’m using. I noticed there’s only one slot and it seems there’s room for another if needed.
It's accurate, great work. The memory and SPD sections in CPU-Z (refer to the image below) provide additional information about the installed memory stick. Generally, you should purchase a stick with similar or better specifications; the motherboard evaluates both and operates using the supported parameters from each stick. Therefore, if your new stick is faster, the board will adjust to match its speed for optimal performance. Looking at the appearance alone (plain green casing, no heatsinks), I’d assume it’s an 8 GB stick built for 2400 Mhz or 2666 Mhz. The B460 chipset on the board likely caps any stick at 2666 Mhz or 2933 Mhz. While you might find higher frequency sticks, they’re usually disabled automatically to maintain stability. Still, manufacturers have optimized production, and demand for faster RAM is high, making higher frequencies more affordable. It’s safe to use them at lower speeds without issues. If you’re in the US, these should function well.
G-Skill Aegis 8 GB 3200 Mhz CL16: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/yz6qqs/...0c16s-8gis
G-Skill Aegis 8 GB 3000 Mhz CL16: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/XJYWGX/...c16s-8gisb
Patriot Viper Steel 3000 Mhz CL16: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/XHc48d/...vs48g300c6
Both options are reasonable at around $30.