Update (10/28/15): It has now been three years since I installed two pairs of these memory modules in my home-built computer (4 DIMMS, for a total of 32 GB). The memory has operated flawlessly.
I installed four of these memory modules in my new computer. They are working just fine. I ran a (self-repeating) memory test for over 24 hours prior to loading the operating system.
Before you order memory modules, you should review the webpage and "User Guide" for your motherboard. I recently built a new computer using the
ASUS Maximus V FORMULA LGA 1155 Intel Z77 Extended ATX DDR3 2800 PCIe 3.0 HDMI SupremeFX IV Audio Motherboard
. The ASUS website (quite conveniently) provides a Qualified Vendor Lists (QVL) of compatible memory for this motherboard (although it may not be up-to-date for 8GB modules). Your motherboard's vendor may have a similar list.
If you purchased a ready-built computer, then look on the manufacturer's website to verify that you are purchasing the correct memory. For example, if you purchased your computer from the biggest computer maker, then log-on to your account, enter the Service Tag number for your computer, and then find the memory requirements. Or, you could just call and ask.
My computer's motherboard requires (1.5 volt) DDR3 dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs), installed in "matched sets" for "dual channel" function. My motherboard's "User Guide" recommends installing DIMMs from the same vendor, with the same CAS latency, and of the same version or date code (D/C). Because of this recommendations, and because these memory modules were ridiculously inexpensive when I bought them, I went ahead and installed the maximum memory of four 8 GB DIMMs (32 GB). You can buy this memory with one pair of DIMMs or two pairs of DIMMs:
Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10)
or
Corsair Vengeance 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (CMZ32GX3M4X1600C10)
.
If you are interested in over-clocking memory, then you might want to research (1.5 volt) DDR3 DIMMs with higher clock ratings (i.e., 1866 MHz, 2000 MHz, 2133 MHz, and 2400 MHz). Naturally, I wanted the 2400 MHz memory; but I decided to try the much cheaper 1600 MHz memory first.
Please note: If you are only installing two DIMMS, you may need to install them in only two specific slots on the mother board (i.e., you can't just install them in any two slots). Check the "User Guide" for your motherboard to ensure that you are inserting the DIMMs in the correct slots. Of course, if you fill all slots with "matching" DIMMs, this will not be a concern.
No matter how much physical memory you install, your copy of the Windows operating system may limit how much memory your computer can use. The 32 bit versions of Windows can only address a maximum of 4 GB of memory, with only (about) 3.5 GB of that usable.
Windows 64 bit memory limits:
- Windows 8 Professional: 512 GB
- Windows 8: 128 GB
- Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate: 192 GB
- Windows Vista Ultimate: 128 GB
- Windows 7 or Windows Vista Home Premium: 16 GB
- Windows 7 or Windows Vista Home Basic: 8 GB
Lastly, I recommend that you run a memory test on your newly-installed memory. I used Memtest86+ (it's free). Extract the image (iso) file from the ZIP file, and then create a bootable CD by burning disc from image (do NOT copy the iso file to CD, burn disc from image). I ran this memory test prior to loading the operating system.
| RAM | 16 GB DDR3 |
|---|---|
| Memory Speed | 1600 MHz |
