Installing Memory Sticks
Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: Intel Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock Intel Motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1404
Printed Date: 09 May 2024 at 8:36pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Installing Memory Sticks
Posted By: Avagadro1
Subject: Installing Memory Sticks
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 11:05am
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I have a new ASRock H170M_Pro4 motherboard.
I have two sticks/modules of memory; no intention of installing more.
The motherboard memory slots are labeled: A1, A2, B1, B2.
Not clear to me: Do I install the memory into slots A1 and B1, or into slots A2 and B2?
Thank you.
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Replies:
Posted By: Avagadro1
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 11:35am
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Follow-Up Yes, I read the manual, including the table of Memory Configuration. However, I do not know the meaning of "Priority" as used in that table. Do I follow Priority 1 (slots A2 & B2) or Priority 2 (slots A1 & B1)? Thank you. |
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 11:59am
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Using only two sticks they "should" reside in A2 and B2 Failing that, sure. A1 and B1 < id="kpm_plugin" ="application/x-KPMPlugin">
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Posted By: Avagadro1
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 12:55pm
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Thank you for your help. Though I still wonder what "Priority" means? |
Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 2:48pm
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Priority in that table means of all the possible configurations, the configuration with the higher priority should be used, as it will provide the best results. The term priority may seem not to be the best way to describe this, but it does make sense IMO. In Intel's technical documents about their processors (which also contains the memory controller), they state that when using two DIMMs in a dual channel, four DIMM slot total board, they should be put in the slots that are the farthest away from the processor, for each channel. That would be the A2 and B2 slots. Why that is technically better, I don't know, but it apparently provides the best compatibility and best potential to OC the memory, or use tighter timings. That's why those slots have a higher priority of use than the others. ------------- http://valid.x86.fr/48rujh" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 3:40pm
| IMO it has to do with a few factors but the most significant one is heat, the slot closest to the CPU will generally not have as much airflow and with a number of aftermarket coolers it can also cause clearance issues. So far as I can tell from testing I have done with both configs, A1+B1 then A2+B2, there does not appear to be any performance/stability benefit so I am inclined to believe that the recommendation is purely based on the above. I could well be wrong but that is my 2c on the issue. |
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 4:00pm
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Ha! IIRC it has to do with the IMC and the path to what which part of the IMC controller is used. My 2c worth. < id="kpm_plugin" ="application/x-KPMPlugin">
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Posted By: Avagadro1
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2015 at 2:12am
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OK, I'm the original poster. Last night I sent an e-mail to ASRock Tech Support. I received a brief response today. It said: "A1 ans B1 must be installed." What to do? |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2015 at 6:00am
| ASRock TSD said A1 B1 then go with that, they are the most intricately familiar with their boards. |
Posted By: wardog
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2015 at 6:18am
Huh. It would seem ASRock needs to re-write a lot of Manuals on this matter then. :( < id="kpm_plugin" ="application/x-KPMPlugin">
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Avagadro1 wrote:Posted By: Avagadro1
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2015 at 7:51am
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OK. I just telephoned ASRock Tech Support (got through very quickly). The fellow said that, for two sticks, use A1 & B1. Use A2 & B2 only if I have a very large cooler that blocks the A1 slot. SO THE ASROCK INSTALLATION MANUAL IS WRONG! Thus it appears that the issue is resolved, unless any gurus would like to follow-up. Very Interesting. Thanks all. |