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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 457
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 457 |
Okay, I've been wanting to upgrade the RAM in my desktop forever and I've decided that I'd better while I can still afford to. This is an older but very capable machine running Win7 64-bit. It currently has 1600MHz DDR3 DIMMs installed. Two Corsair brand ones and they say on the side, 8GB (2x4GB). I'm thinking I should get two more that are identical to these, since if I'm gonna use all four RAM slots, the MoBo manufacturer requires that all four be identical.
But here's where I'm getting confused. As mentioned above, I have two of these modules in my machine right now. And when I do the Windows System Properties page, it shows 8 GB. But when I look at some of the listings for these DIMMs on eBay, they're indicating that two of these modules are good for 16 GB. I guess it makes sense, since each module sez 8 GB, but I guess what's throwing me is the (2x4GB) that also shows on the sticker. And these ones they're saying are good for 16GB are absolutely identical to mine, even with the same long part number, i.e., CMX8GX3M2A1600C9.
So, if two of these DIMMs really amount to 16GB, then I've been running my system on a single DIMM all these years with the other one being no good. But that doesn't seem likely. I've had other motherboards where a bad ram stick was installed and the board would indicate a memory error on boot-up. But even more to the point, I don't recall buying 16 GB of RAM and I'm thinking that I would have noticed this deficiency like right away.
So I guess it's a terminology thing? And if that's the case, then why does each DIMM's sticker say 8GB, when it is actually only 4GB? Are they meant to be used in pairs only? I'm so confused.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,384
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Corsair sells RAM 'kits', which are intended to be installed as a pair. Couple examples of 8GB kits that are actually 2X4GB below. One from Amazon and one from Corsair <grin>. Maybe your kit was labeled as such since they were meant to be installed as a matching pair (or kit). RAM can be a funny thing; it's possible to have mismatched sticks (say a 2gb & 4 gb) and show 6GB in the OS .. but the speed of one may affect the performance of the other. So a matching pair is desirable, and it looks like they may market to that aspect. https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CMX8GX3M2A1600C9-1600MHz-DDR3-DIMM/dp/B004U7T7NA https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Memory/High-Performance-Memory/Vengeance%C2%AE-%E2%80%94-8GB-Dual-Channel-DDR3-Memory-Kit/p/CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,919
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Crucial is a memory chip manufacturer. Their site is a good starting point for thinking about memory expansion. +++ This Link +++ will provide the background information and +++ THIS +++ link will scan your computer and advise you about exactly what memory you need.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 457
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
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OK, guys, thanks for the info. It was very helpful. Rharv, yes, you're right -- my Corsair memory sticks are obviously meant to be installed as a pair. A big reason why I was thinking about getting another identical pair, which would push my system memory up to 16GB, which is where I think it needs to be. My motherboard, an ASRock 890GX Pro3, will handle up to 32GB. I would like to go ahead and install the max, but I've got the necessary funds to do this earmarked for other things.
Jim, thanks for the links. Your second link leads to a screen where Crucial shows their selections with prices. Surprisingly, their prices are some of the cheapest I've seen, especially for new RAM. I visited Corsair's website, and their prices are significantly higher, although the eBay sellers of Corsair RAM have their prices adjusted more toward real street prices.
As a follow-up to this, one of the problems I'm having with my system (Win7 64 bit, although lately I've been running BiaB 32 bit) is pops and crackles and hesitations. I have to have just about everything else put away, and I'll even call up Windows Task Manager and stop several applications which load themselves on system start up. I have to do this to ensure a clean sounding playback in both BiaB and Cakewalk by Bandlab (formerly Sonar Platinum). I'm hoping that by doubling the system RAM I won't have to be quite so rigid in trimming things down so the music stuff will run right. One reason for this is that, now that I have a digital mixer (Behringer XR12), I also now have a big mixer screen that must be present to operate the mixer -- while either BiaB or Cakewalk are running. Fact is, I'd like to be able to have both BiaB and Cakewalk up at the same time, but I usually can't do this. I'm hoping 16GB will be enough extra memory so I can make it happen.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Just to be clear, when you see 2x4 or 2x8 (or even 4x4), it means you are getting two RAM sticks of however many gigabytes for a total of what is being sold. Oftentimes you also see 1x8 (which means a single 8GB RAM stick). If you purchased two 1x8 of the same brand, it's the same as buying the 16GB 2x8 package.
So 8GB RAM designated as 2x4, means you are getting two 4-GB RAM sticks. 16GB RAM designated as 4x4 means four 4-GB RAM sticks and 2x8 means two 8-GB RAM sticks.
First thing to do is make sure how much RAM your motherboard will hold. My laptop, for example, will only allow 8GB RAM and currently has 2 4GB RAM sticks installed (my bad for not checking this when I bought two 8GB RAM sticks to try to get it to 16GB, but I bought that when RAM was really cheap, so I was only out about $50, still...should have checked). The Crucial site mentioned above is an excellent resource for replacing RAM. You don't have to ultimately buy from them, but you'll ultimately know what to buy.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 8TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 11TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting and construction)
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 23
Enthusiast
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cooltouch reading your initial post you seem to be wondering if your computer is seeing both DIMM's and reporting both of them as a total of memory available, correct. You can usually do this quite easily from the BIOS of your computer. It may not be obvious what to look for there. However there are free tools that will give you that information if you are not comfy delving into your BIOS. A good one is 'Speccy' by Piriform, it will tell what slot numbers are populated on your motherboard and what size DIMMs are fitted. Simply download, install then run the app and you will be presented with a summary of various aspects of your machine. click on the 'RAM' section and the main screen shows more detail of the RAM you have starting with how many slots are populated and how many are free, then various data about the speed of the fitted RAM, at the bottom you will see 'SPD' (Serial Presence Detect) which will show you which DIMMs are functioning, it shoud be two in your case. If it shows only one then one of yours is either defective or not fitted properly. If it does show 2 then you've just confirmed you have two correctly functioning 4Gb DIMMs. You can then click on the 'Slot #n' titles being shown and see more detail about your physical memory. Speccy is available here. https://www.ccleaner.com/speccy/download/standardIf you do want to add more ram then the earlier link to the 'Crucial' scan tool is a good idea as it will tell you exactly what options you have to upgrade. So now you have the 'skinny' too!
Last edited by Jonbouy; 01/22/19 01:11 PM.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Dec 2018
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 457
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2011
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Thanks for everything, guys. As I mentioned above, my motherboard will handle up to 32GB, but I'm just gonna take it up to 16GB for now. I hope that will be sufficient. This motherboard employs Dual Channel Memory technology, where each pair of RAM slots is one channel. It also states that all four DIMMs must be identical, down to the manufacturer of the chips. So I'm stuck with having to add a pair of Corsairs to the system. Not so bad, I suppose. At least they're still available.
Jonbouy, I don't really need the app. I have my machine sitting right next to me with the sides off. All I gotta do is lean over to inspect the RAM slots, two of which are still open. I built this machine, so I kinda know it inside and out.
Last edited by cooltouch; 01/25/19 05:43 AM.
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Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic)
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 23
Enthusiast
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Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 23 |
Jonbouy, I don't really need the app. I have my machine sitting right next to me with the sides off. All I gotta do is lean over to inspect the RAM slots, two of which are still open. I built this machine, so I kinda know it inside and out.
Sorry I thought you were the poster that asked this. But here's where I'm getting confused. As mentioned above, I have two of these modules in my machine right now. And when I do the Windows System Properties page, it shows 8 GB. But when I look at some of the listings for these DIMMs on eBay, they're indicating that two of these modules are good for 16 GB. I guess it makes sense, since each module sez 8 GB, but I guess what's throwing me is the (2x4GB) that also shows on the sticker. And these ones they're saying are good for 16GB are absolutely identical to mine, even with the same long part number, i.e., CMX8GX3M2A1600C9.
So, if two of these DIMMs really amount to 16GB, then I've been running my system on a single DIMM all these years with the other one being no good. But that doesn't seem likely. I've had other motherboards where a bad ram stick was installed and the board would indicate a memory error on boot-up. But even more to the point, I don't recall buying 16 GB of RAM and I'm thinking that I would have noticed this deficiency like right away.
So I guess it's a terminology thing? And if that's the case, then why does each DIMM's sticker say 8GB, when it is actually only 4GB? Are they meant to be used in pairs only? I'm so confused.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
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Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
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Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
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Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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