On 12/15/2010 9:52 PM, mm wrote:
Memory: Does it matter if big DDRs are firsr or second?

Posted to alt.comp.hardware and alt.sys.pc-clone.dell, since the
computer is a Dell and I started the topic in that group, but have
broader questions now.


I have two 512M and two 1G DDR[1]s and they are the same speed PC2700,
the same 333, the same CL 2.5, the same non-ECC and assume everything
else the same except the brand and size.

Does it make a difference if the big pair goes in the first pair of
slots, or if the small pair does???

Is this true for DDR2 and DDR3 also?

Just to be perfectly clear, if you are talking about Dell Precision 360,
Dimension 4600, Optiplex GX270, or Dimension 8300, two memory slots have
black DIMM clips and two have white clips. A matched pair has to go in
a pair of DIMM slots with the same color of clips. As a rule, I install
the larger capacity memory in the "first" pair of slots. Which is the
"first" pair of slots? Usually the one nearest to the CPU and its mate
with the same color of clips. But when in doubt, read the owner's
manual. Same for DDR2 and DDR3.

These boards all have Intel 865 or 875 chipsets, which dictate the
memory configuration rules.

Way back when I worked in mainframe software development, we and tech
support used to write "RTFB" responses, telling customers the answers to
their questions or solutions to their problems and telling them to read
the ^^&&*(_* book, where the answer could be found... Ben Myers