Slots
This is the total number of memory upgrade slots (sockets) followed by their configuration. Banks are the way a system addresses memory. A bank must be completely filled with memory modules of the same size and type in order for the system to recognize and address the memory. i.e. :
3 (3 banks of 1) This indicates that there are 3 memory slots. These are divided into 3 banks, and each bank consists of one memory slot. So you can add memory one piece at a time for the system to use.
Google has many articles on this, including how some of the new extreme oc boards from other vendors only have 2 dimm slots. But 4 real life use I too would suggest 4x8gb Asus Maximus XI Formula: i9 9900k @ 5.2 GHz: 2x8GB team group Xtreem Edition @4000Mhz: 2xRTX 2080TI: 1xSamsung 970 Pro, 3xSamsung 860 pro 2TB ssd: Creative Zxr: Custom water.
- Slots 2 & 4 are suggested in build guides etc because they're further away from the CPU socket so tall ram is less likely to cause clearance issues with aftermarket coolers. Also males them easier to remove should you have a problem.
- With 2 RAM slots you are only able to install 32GB RAM but able to use the faster RAM. With 4 slots you can have 64GB RAM, but the Ryzen will only support RAM at DDR4-2133MHz in that configuration.
4 (2 banks of 2) This indicates that there are 4 memory slots. These are divided into 2 banks, and each bank consists of two memory slots. So you must add memory two pieces at a time (they must be the same size and type of memory) in order for the system to benefit from the upgrade.
2 Slots Vs 4 Slots Ram Slot
2 Slot Vs 4 Slot Ram
12 (3 banks of 4) This indicates that there are 12 memory slots. These are divided into 3 banks, and each bank consists of four memory slots. So you must add memory four pieces at a time (and they must be the same size and type of memory) in order for the system to benefit from the upgrade.