A technician is configuring a custom PC build for a video editor. The motherboard has four RAM slots and supports dual-channel memory. To maximize memory performance and capacity, which of the following RAM configurations is best suited for this build?
- ATwo 16GB DDR4 modules, installed in alternating slots (e.g., slot 1 and 3).
- BOne 32GB DDR4 module in the first slot.
- CTwo 8GB DDR4 modules, installed in adjacent slots (e.g., slot 1 and 2).
- DFour 8GB DDR4 modules, installed in all available slots.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Four 8GB DDR4 modules, installed in all available slots.
To maximize both memory performance (by utilizing dual-channel) and capacity (by filling all slots), installing four 8GB DDR4 modules is the best option. This configuration provides 32GB of RAM (4x8GB) and ensures all channels are populated for optimal bandwidth, assuming the motherboard's dual-channel architecture uses slots in pairs (e.g., 1&3, 2&4). If the slots are paired as (1&2, 3&4), then four sticks would also maximize channels. The goal is to fill all slots with matching modules for maximum capacity and dual-channel performance. Option B would only give 32GB total and use only two slots, leaving two empty.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Two 16GB modules (32GB total) would enable dual-channel but leave two slots empty, not maximizing capacity for a demanding video editing workload, and wouldn't be as good as four modules for potential quad-channel if supported.
- B. One 32GB module would only utilize single-channel mode, significantly impacting performance for a video editor.
- C. Two 8GB modules (16GB total) provides less capacity and might only use one channel if not in the correct paired slots, or only one dual-channel pair.
Dual-Channel Memory
A memory architecture that increases data transfer speed by using two memory channels simultaneously, effectively doubling the data bandwidth between the memory and the memory controller.
- Requires two or more identical (or very similar) memory modules.
- Modules must be installed in specific, often color-coded, slots on the motherboard.
- Increases overall system performance, especially in memory-intensive applications like video editing.
Memory trick: For RAM 'P.A.C.E.' - Pairs, All-slots, Capacity, Efficiency.