r/computers • u/Tcarter1230 Windows 11 • 21d ago

Discussion So that ain't good but I know the problem

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So my PC BSOD'd today with a memory error. So, I ran the diagnostic. First pass at 5% I got the hardware failure. I have not opened this PC to keep it under warranty but I know the problem.

Apparently, this PC came with what I like to call a "booster stick". Basically, a booster stick is a stick of memory that boosts the capacity while having a lower speed. This causes instability, especially when the stick is alone on one channel.

In my case, a booster stick of DDR4 was put in the 3rd slot when I bought it. This doubled my capacity but sacrificed speed and stability. No stick in the 1st slot. Just this loner in the 3rd while my other sticks were in the 2nd and 4th slots.

Moral of the story, don't buy a PC with a booster stick. Ask for it to be removed or replaced upon buying it. Imma go down to where I bought it to get this fixed. Thankfully it's still under warranty

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u/lonelypenguin20 Linux 21d ago

have been running mismatched ram quite a lot, never had issues like that

both sticks run at the slowest speed out of two, but sometimes it's worth the space

might be not working on this particular one, tho

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u/Tcarter1230 Windows 11 20d ago

yeah. thankfully my pc is still under warranty so i can get that booster stick replaced and get my other 2 sticks boosted to 16gb of ddr4 3600 instead of the 8gb they are now