Yes, it's possible to configure a system with a 2x4GB + 1x8GB drive setup as 4GB + 1x4GB.
Yes, it's possible to configure a system with a 2x4GB + 1x8GB drive setup as 4GB + 1x4GB.
I understand, my friend has an old 4660 Intel with 2x4GB RAM. I’m trying to assist him with spare parts, but I only have a single 8GB DDR3 and another 4GB DDR3. Can the 8GB be expanded to a 4GB stick to boost his system to 16GB RAM? Or is there another way to do it? I know you can find cheap options online, but I’m trying to minimize my e-waste. Thanks for your help!
It would be useful to have a combination of storage sizes without issues. The main limitation is that only 8 GB can run in dual channel while 4 GB stays single channel, but together they provide 12 GB. To reach 20 GB, you could use three 4 GB drives plus one 8 GB drive. Alternatively, placing the 8 GB in a single channel and the two 4 GB drives in the other would give 16 GB in dual channel.
It does need "flex mode," though Intel appears to back it up now. Recent AMD models support it as well. Check my update—using 8+2x4 could also work for a 16 GB dual-channel setup. https://www.compuram.de/blog/en/single-d...ory-modes/
try 3x4 plus 1x8, or if that 8gb stick doesn't work well with any of the 4gb sticks in the same channel, a 2x4 plus 1x8 mix should be fine. At the extremely slow DDR3 1600 speeds you'll likely run with a non-Z board, but you can still achieve high-speed mixing (>2600) as long as you have a gigabyte (Z) motherboard, which lets you adjust timings per channel. Most boards now support decent voltage options after 1366/1156, unlike the outdated 1.8V claims from some manufacturers.