Why buy RAM in pairs?

Question

I am running very large (110Meg) CAD files on my new 8300 with 1Gig RAM and 128M V-Card

and I am maxing out the RAM

Can I buy the 1Gig SIMM? Or do I have to buy them in pairs? What is the impact if I only buy one?

Since there are only four slots, I don't want to buy 2 x 512 chips.

mattcowger · Answer

It depends on which machine you are using - specs please? Some machines require that you use the RAM in pairs.

Denny Denham · Answer

PfizerMike, The Dimension 8300 uses DDR RAM which must be installed in pairs. See this.

PfizerMike · Answer

It's a brand new 8300 3.2GHz, 1 Gig RAM, 128M Videocard

mattcowger · Answer

Then yes, like Denny said, its a requiremtn of the motherboard (memory controller actually) design, and you have to install the in pairs.

Windows General