Install The RAM - System Memory

The RAM - System memory consists of two sticks of Crucial PC2700 DDR memory. Here is what each stick looks like.

On the EPoX 8RDA+ motherboard, the DIMM's slots are the 3 black slots circled in blue in the lower right-hand portion of the motherboard.

The EPoX 8RDA+ motherboard has 3 DIMM memory slots, so I'll just be using two of them. The 3 DIMM slots are divided into two banks, which you can actually see by the physical separation of the memory slots on the motherboard. The single memory slot nearest the bottom of the picture is bank 0. The two memory slots above it are bank 1. With two memory modules, the best performance is realized by inserting one memory module in bank 0 and one memory module in bank 1. There's only one memory slot in bank 0 so it's pretty clear that's the one to use. There are two memory slots in bank 1. Most people say it doesn't matter which memory slot is used, but some people insist that the lower of the two, which is DIMM3, gives better performance. That's the one I used, but later on I benchmarked it both ways and learned that performance is the same with either one. And just so you know, best performance is with either two memory modules in separate banks or three memory modules. Different motherboards will group and order the memory slots differently, so consult the owner's manual for your own motherboard for details.

DIMM 1 on the EPoX 8RDA+ is the only DIMM in Bank 0. It's the bottom-most DIMM in the picture. Open the latches on the memory slot so the DIMM memory module can be inserted.

Insert the Crucial PC2700 memory module into the slot. The module can only be installed one way due to the way the module is "keyed" along it's bottom edge with the slot. After it's installed, the back of the module is facing the camera. I have an entire site dedicated to computer memory at Computer Memory Upgrade. Step-by-step instructions on how to install DIMM memory modules begin at Computer Memory Upgrade - DIMM Installation.

Repeating the process with the second Crucial PC2700 memory module into DIMM 3 of Bank 1 leaves the memory slots populated like this.

Next: Computer Assembly - Install the Motherboard into the Computer Case

Back to My Super PC - Home Page

How To Build A Computer. Step By Step Instructions To Assemble. Skip To Any Assembly Step.

	Parts List [go]
	Tools [go]
	Antistatic Wrist Strap [go]
	Computer Case and Power Supply [go]
	Motherboard [go]
	Processor, CPU Cooler and Thermal Compound [go]
	RAM - System Memory [go]
	Video Card [go]
	Monitor [go]
	Keyboard and Mouse [go]
	Floppy Drive [go]
	Hard Drive [go]
	CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD RW [go]
	Sound Card and Speakers [go]
	Modem [go]
	Install the Processor onto the Motherboard [go]
	Install the CPU Cooler [go]
	Install the RAM - System Memory [go]
	Install the Motherboard into the Computer Case [go]
	Install the Video Card [go]
	Connect the Power Supply to the Motherboard [20-pin Connector  or  24-pin Connector]
	Connect the PN1 and PN2 Indicators to the Motherboard [KS-282 to EPoX 8RDA+  or  Sonata to MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Ready the Monitor [go]
	Ready the Keyboard and Mouse [go]
	First Boot [go]
	First Boot Common Problems [go]
	Install the CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD RW Drives [go]
	Install the Hard Drive and Floppy Drive [PATA Hard Drive  or  SATA Hard Drive]
	Connect the Speakers (if using built-in sound) [go]
	Second Boot [PATA  or  SATA]
	Configure the BIOS Parameter Settings [EPoX 8RDA+  or  MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Test The Hard Drive [PATA  or  SATA]
	Install a Second SATA Hard Drive For RAID (optional) [go]
	Install the Operating System - Windows XP [on PATA hard drive  or  on SATA hard drive]
	Driver Installation [go]
	How To Copy Big Files From Another Computer Using Just a Floppy Drive [go]
	Install the Modem [go]
	Install the Motherboard Chipset Drivers [EPoX 8RDA+  or  MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Install the Monitor Driver [go]
	Install the Video Card Drivers [EPoX 8RDA+  or  MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Install the Sound Card and Speakers [go]
	Install System Information Utility - EVEREST [go]
	Diagnostic Test - DirectX [go]
	Speed Test - System Memory (RAM) Performance [go]
	Speed Test - Hard Drive Performance [PATA and SATA results]
	Speed Test - CD Performance [go]
	Speed Test - Total System Performance [go]
	Stress/Torture Tests [go]
	Connect Front Panel Ports For Audio, Firewire and USB 2.0 [go]
	Install Rear Panel Ports For Firewire And USB 2.0 [go]
	Install The Computer Case Fans [go]
	Post Assembly Needs [go]
	Graduation [go]
	Video Card Driver Settings [go]
	BIOS Flash Update [go]
	BIOS Settings [go]

Back to My Super PC - Home Page

© 2001-2008, Rob Williams, all rights reserved.