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Difficulty: MediumRAM Types and Characteristics

A technician is preparing to install two additional memory modules into a standard desktop workstation motherboard that features four RAM slots and supports dual-channel DDR4 architecture. Which TWO of the following physical characteristics or installation rules must the technician follow to ensure proper dual-channel performance and hardware compatibility?

  1. Populate matching color-coded slots (such as Slot 1 and Slot 3) to enable dual-channel memory operation.Answer
  2. Verify that the replacement modules use the 288-pin DIMM form factor designed for desktop motherboards.Answer
  3. C
    Populate adjacent motherboard slots (such as Slot 1 and Slot 2) to fill the primary memory bank first.
  4. D
    Select 260-pin SO-DIMM modules to fit standard desktop motherboard memory slots.

Answer

The technician must populate matching color-coded slots (such as Slot 1 and Slot 3) to enable dual-channel memory operation and verify that the replacement modules use the 288-pin DIMM form factor designed for desktop motherboards.
Dual-channel memory architecture requires memory modules to be placed into matching paired slots on separate memory channels (typically alternating, color-coded slots such as Slot 1 and Slot 3) to allow simultaneous 64-bit access across two channels. Additionally, desktop systems use full-length 288-pin DDR4 DIMM modules, whereas smaller 260-pin SO-DIMM modules are designed for laptops and compact systems.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine physical form factor requirements for the desktop motherboard.
Standard desktop motherboards require 288-pin DDR4 DIMMs rather than 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMMs.
SO-DIMM modules are compact form factors designed for laptops and will not fit full-sized desktop expansion slots.
2
Identify slot arrangement for dual-channel architecture.
Dual-channel operation requires installing modules across separate memory channels into matching paired slots (e.g., Slot 1 and Slot 3).
Installing modules into adjacent slots (Slot 1 and Slot 2) forces the memory controller to operate in single-channel mode.
3
Synthesize correct deployment requirements.
Selecting 288-pin DIMMs and populating matching alternating slots fulfills both physical compatibility and performance optimization objectives.
Both conditions are strictly required for a successful dual-channel desktop memory upgrade.

Key Concept

RAM Form Factors and Multi-Channel Slot Population Rules
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Topics

RAM Types and Characteristics

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