Which RAM Slots Are Paired?

Almost all motherboards have two or four RAM slots. Which slots you fill first and which you leave empty depends on the motherboard’s configuration, but there’s usually no harm in filling all the slots.

If your motherboard has four RAM slots, it’s probably running in dual-channel mode. That means that the data rate will be doubled because information can flow through two 64-bit channels instead of just one. To enable dual-channel mode, you’ll need to put your RAM modules in the correct slots.

The most common configuration is to put a matching pair of modules in the two blue slots and leave the two black slots empty. But check your motherboard manual to be sure.

If you’re using just two RAM modules, it doesn’t matter which slots they go into. You can put them in either the black or blue slots.

The only time it matters is if you’re using four modules and want to enable dual-channel mode.

When you’re installing RAM into your motherboard, it’s important to make sure that the modules are properly seated in their slots. If they’re not making good contact with the slot connectors, they won’t work properly.

To install a module, just push it firmly into place until it clicks. To remove a module, press the release clips on either side of the slot and then pull the module out.