No. There are several memory rules preventing such a configuration:
Except for memory channels that are unused, all populated memory channels must have identical configurations.
Memory modules of different sizes can be mixed within a memory channel (for example, 2-GB, 8-GB, and 4-GB), but all populated channels must have identical configurations.
So, by having three 8GB DIMM's and two 4GB DIMM's, not all populated channels can have the same configuration (channel 3 has 1x8GB DIMM only vs. the other channels that have 1x8GB + 1x4GB). Two 4GB DIMM's is ok, because each populated channel is the same (channel 3 is not populated).
You have two options for a maximum configuration supported in this machine:
1. 3x8GB = 24, one DIMM in the first slot for each channel (white levers)
2. 3x8GB + 3x4GB (you would need to obtain a third 4GB DIMM) = 36GB
Due to the memory channels, you can't use all 5 dimms. The channels have to match, so the best thing to do is set an 8gb dimm in slot A1 and A2, as well as placing the 4gb dimms in slot A4 and A5. You will need to set the memory mode in the BIOS to Optimizer.
Chris, if I may ... your suggestion has two drawbacks:
1. Two memory modules per channel drops the memory speed from 1333 to 1066.
2. He would only be using two channels.
Using only the three 8GB DIMM's, he would still have 24GB installed (same as your configuration), but he would see greater memory performance because 1) the memory would be operating at 1333MHz, and 2) he would be utilizing three channels instead of two.
For performance, he would be better off with 3x8GB; for more memory capacity, he would be better off getting a third 4GB stick and using 3x8GB + 3x4GB - it would operate at 1066MHz, but it would allow 36GB of total RAM.
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
August 21st, 2012 07:00
No. There are several memory rules preventing such a configuration:
Except for memory channels that are unused, all populated memory
channels must have identical configurations.
Memory modules of different sizes can be mixed within a memory channel
(for example, 2-GB, 8-GB, and 4-GB), but all populated channels must
have identical configurations.
So, by having three 8GB DIMM's and two 4GB DIMM's, not all populated channels can have the same configuration (channel 3 has 1x8GB DIMM only vs. the other channels that have 1x8GB + 1x4GB). Two 4GB DIMM's is ok, because each populated channel is the same (channel 3 is not populated).
You have two options for a maximum configuration supported in this machine:
1. 3x8GB = 24, one DIMM in the first slot for each channel (white levers)
2. 3x8GB + 3x4GB (you would need to obtain a third 4GB DIMM) = 36GB
DELL-Chris H
Moderator
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9.7K Posts
0
August 21st, 2012 07:00
PiPIT,
Due to the memory channels, you can't use all 5 dimms. The channels have to match, so the best thing to do is set an 8gb dimm in slot A1 and A2, as well as placing the 4gb dimms in slot A4 and A5. You will need to set the memory mode in the BIOS to Optimizer.
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
August 21st, 2012 09:00
Chris, if I may ... your suggestion has two drawbacks:
1. Two memory modules per channel drops the memory speed from 1333 to 1066.
2. He would only be using two channels.
Using only the three 8GB DIMM's, he would still have 24GB installed (same as your configuration), but he would see greater memory performance because 1) the memory would be operating at 1333MHz, and 2) he would be utilizing three channels instead of two.
For performance, he would be better off with 3x8GB; for more memory capacity, he would be better off getting a third 4GB stick and using 3x8GB + 3x4GB - it would operate at 1066MHz, but it would allow 36GB of total RAM.