MotherBoard & Memory question

[Katlan]

While I don't need to [yet], I'd like to add more memory to my computer, but I really know next to nothing about pairing... because i know some Mobo's work best when you put in a specific amount of RAM chips. This is the MotherBoard I currently use (http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131359) and I currently use x3 2gb chips (in the black slots). Can I just add one more chip for a total of 8gb, or do I need to pair it to add more?

Sorry if it's a pretty stupid question... I had the comp made for me about 8 months ago and i don't know much about upgrading. Thanks!

[Cephius]

It's triple channel, so it's best when the memory is paired in multiples of 3 with the same speed and timings. If you add another stick it's likely going to bump all of them down to dual channel.

Do you really need 8 gigs of RAM? 6 is usually more than enough for anything.

[Katlan]

Thanks a lot Cephius for the opinion. I don't need more then 6gb, I was just thinking about later down the road... and I guess this Motherboard gets more use out of the available RAM then other's do, so its like +33% more (I think I read somewhere).
And forget about adding 3 more chips when I dont need it, the DDR3 are expensive, and Id need 12gb. Thanks again!

[Olo401]

Actually you could go to 9GB if you wanted. The three black slots are considered a single memory bank, and the three orange ones are as well. You can use different size memory sticks that have the same clock speed (i.e. your current 3x2GB sticks in the black slots, and 3x1GB sticks in the orange ones) and it'll work in tri-channel. The only thing you have to match across banks is the memory speed.

[Katlan]

Thanks Olo, didn't even consider that