DDR/General Memory FAQ (2003)

[Karnevil9]

You will need to give more information to help with your question. What OS are you running, CPU type iss it the newer PC2100 etc 184 pin. or older PC133 etc 168 pin.(I think my PIN numbers are correct). Some older systems have trouble with large ram sticks.

[TwoRails]

If you added 256 to your 128, it should take 3 times as long to count thru it....

[Maizster]

hmm... I know that it should take 3 times longer) but the tempo of counting should not change I guess...

Im running P4 1.6, WinXP, maybe problem is in the RAM itself = my first 128 were from kingstone, other 256 came from kingmax... and RAM is DDR... what else do u need?

[Maizster]

forgot to say = my pal has athlon 1.3 and RAM is not DDR and counting tempo is much faster... also Win XP...

[TwoRails]

Could be a fussy mobo or not so compatible memory. Try pulling the 128 and see if the 256 counts as fast as you expect...

TwoRails

PS: Like the "tempo" word!

[glc]

Enable "quick boot" in the bios to get the count over with faster.

[Karnevil9]

Don't know if your mobo has this option but on my soltek I have the option to hit the esc key to cancel the memory check during the boot process.

[Maizster]

Hi there...
Thanks for your adivces. I messed a little bit around the BIOS and changed some items... now it seems that my BIOS does not check RAM at all - it kind of satisfies me since I dont have to wait anymore
Only there is a quiestion - can it harm my system in any way?

[tim1477]

hey guys i got a question. i know what the BIOS is and all and i always hear people talkign about it. but how exactly do i get to it?

[Karnevil9]

Different mobo manufacturers use different ways, but generally when you first switch on your computer you see the boot up screen. This is when you see the computer running it's ram test etc. Somewhere on that screen you see a line that reads, To enter setup, (or bios) push the ___ key. Hit the key they tell you to. In many cases it is not just hitting the key once, but pressing several times because you only have a couple of seconds to do this. On all my desktops computers it is the delete key I have to hit, and that is a common key thats used. On my laptop I have to hit the F2 key, So you'll have to watch your screen.

[PilotinCommand]

I have a question about using 2 brands of the same type of RAM.

Currently I use 1 512 MB DDR333 CL2,5 Kingston module on an Asus P4S533 mobo (so no dual channel). I was thinking of upgrading to 1GB of RAM by adding another module with the same specs. I can't find this Kingston module around here for a reasonable price so I checked out what other brands cost. I found this module: 512 MB 333 MHz. DDR-Ram Apacer/Infineon for 78 euro's.

Would it be wise to buy this module and forget Kingston or would I probably end up with incompatability issues?

Thanks for any RE's,

PiC

P.S. It's not clear if the module is CL2.5 or 3 on the website but I'll ask that when I'm in the store.

[Karnevil9]

While an ideal situation would be to install two identical sticks of the ram, I don't believe it is absoltely necessary tp enable the dual channel mode, as long as both sticks are the same mb's and mhz ie: DDR 333. I am not sure if the latancy will be an issue other than running at the speed of the slower module. As foer incompatabilty issues? That is always an issue. Some mobo's don't like some memory brands, and some memory won't play nice with other brands. It is best to check the Asus website for further inforamtion and see if they have encountered any issues with Apacer memory. I also don't have any knowledge of Apacer's quality, so I can't say if it is a brand to stay away from.

[PilotinCommand]

My mobo doesn't support dual channel support. So that's in a way convenient. But I always thought that the CL number was a factor which could make your system unstable.
I'm not sure if apacer exactly the same as Infinion. Maybe somebody can tell me if there are Samsung chips on those modules? Those Kingston modules I use, use Samsung chips.

PiC

[junk2drive]

bump for riddler's q

what is DDR2 ?

what mb's can use it?

i bought a mobo that supports dual channel ddr
and i am about to buy the mem - i was thinking 2x 512mb pc3200- but it says i will need a cpu that runs on a 800mhz bus to use it- so if my cpu runs at 400mhz bus then what speed will the mem run at?

[TwoRails]

Originally posted by junk2drive what is DDR2 ?

This:

Colorado Springs—At its meeting here, JEDEC JC-42 Committee announced its publication of the new JESD-79-2 standard for Double Data Rate Two (DDR2) SDRAM memory data sheet. This standard is a follow-on to JEDEC standard JESD-79 that was originally published in June 2000. DDR2 devices operate at twice the speed of DDR SDRAM devices that expect to be used in computers starting in 2004.

was taken from:
http://www.jedec.org/Home/press/pres...hes_DD2Std.pdf

[Floppyman]

I'll try my best to remember to update update this FAQ as more information on DDR2 becomes available.

[Vigo]

Its a shame their aren't simiilar threads through-out all the forums. Very informative.

[ittybitty]

To: PilotinCommand

I'm currently using a ABIT board with two sticks of pc2100 by different makers (one stick is 512 mb, while the other is 128 mb).

I am currently running them in dual channel mode and everything seems to be working well so far. Had them like this for about 2 weeks now.

So while, it may not be the best configuration at least (in my case) it works.

Good luck.

I have 1gb pc3700 and a p4 2.6
I can OC to 3.49ghz and after that i get the blue screen
how do i set up my timings to utilize OC
it is corsair xms

[Jamespaul]

mobo asus p4p800 deluxe

To enable dual-channell memory on the above mobo I thought I had to populate DIMM slots a1 and a2, ie the same coloured slots. A table in the user manual seems to suggest a1 and b1. Anyone know the correct configuration?

I´m installing 2x256 pc3200 and a cpu with fsb 800mhz

[Vigo]

Its a1, b1. Table 1, 2-12. I have them in a1 and b1, the table also shows you can use a2 and b2 even though the master bank is usually closest to the cpu.

[MrChad]

Originally posted by d94 i bought a mobo that supports dual channel ddr and i am about to buy the mem - i was thinking 2x 512mb pc3200- but it says i will need a cpu that runs on a 800mhz bus to use it- so if my cpu runs at 400mhz bus then what speed will the mem run at?

I tend to have a simaliar question: I purchased the following:
(2x) Kingston 256-DDR400 RAM (pc3200) model no.[KVR400x64c3a/256]

My mother board supports this ram:
[Soyo SY-P4I865PE Plus dragon 2]
My mother board will also support 400fsb/533/800fsb cpu's

Here is the catch: I purchased a 2.4 Celeron (400fsb) CPU.
My mother board manual suggest my ram is for a P4-CPU (800FSB)
And that my CPU (400FSB) should use PC2100 ram and NOT PC3200.

My question is, can I use the (256MB x2) PC3200 ram and my 400FSB-celeron CPU? Can I expect the ram to just run at PC2100 levels? Would this work without destroying something? I'd hate to have to purchase new ram (pc2100) or a different CPU (P4-800fsb) to work with my MB.

Thanks for any help in advance.

[Karnevil9]

When I checked the SOYO site in reference to your board I didn't see anything suggesting that you couldn't use your memory with your CPU. It was a little confusing because one side of the page said it supports DDR400/333/266 memory, and on the other side it says it supports PC4000 and PC3700 memory. You may want to call there support line for an explanation of there manual. It doesn't make any sense to me that you couldn't use PC3200 ram in a board that supports it, because of the CPU running at the same FSB.

I don't think it would harm anything if you used your present ram since the mobo regulates it anyway. Someone more knowledgable than myself can correct me if I am wrong here.

[sk8teguy]

Floppyman, Great post! You seem to know what you are talking about so I have a big question: I have a new HP m380n Media Center Desktop which came with 2 333 PC2700 256mb memory boards in it. The computer is a dual channel four socket system. I just bought 2 333 PC 2700 512mb memory boards to add. My question is, do I just add 1 512 board to each of the channels, or do I move both of the 256 to one channel, and put both of the 512 in the other channel. I have a 512 and a 256 in each of the channels currently, but I'm not sure if it is correct. The machine shows I have 1.5 gigs of RAM, but I am afraid it may not be accessing at the proper speed or bit rate. Also, if I do have to have both 256 in one channel and the 512 in the other, which size would go in which channel?

[diver203_98]

I am going to be getting a new MB that supports Dual Channel DDR-400 (PC3200) memory.

My question is:

Does it matter if I use ECC Registered memory or NON-ECC Unbuffered memory? In the detailed specs of the MB it doesn't give a reference to either. So will using ECC Registered memory be a problem if it doesn't specifically mention using that type of memory?

Detailed specs from NewEgg.com
MB: D875PBZLK FMB 1.5

[Vigo]

Your board actually supports ecc. You'd want to use non ECC though if this is a "home" computer.

http://www.intel.com/support/motherb...esktop/ecc.htm

[diver203_98]

Thanks Vigo. Yes this is a Home computer. I thought ECC was a better memory because of the error cross checking. Would it run any different with ECC or Non-ECC?

I just went to the Intel website by the link you provided. I should have followed through into the site more. I did see that ECC would take longer to boot up, so I guess Non-ECC would be a better deal.

Thank you for your info, and the link. I really appreciate the help.

[Floppyman]

Originally posted by sk8teguy Floppyman, Great post! You seem to know what you are talking about so I have a big question: I have a new HP m380n Media Center Desktop which came with 2 333 PC2700 256mb memory boards in it. The computer is a dual channel four socket system. I just bought 2 333 PC 2700 512mb memory boards to add. My question is, do I just add 1 512 board to each of the channels, or do I move both of the 256 to one channel, and put both of the 512 in the other channel. I have a 512 and a 256 in each of the channels currently, but I'm not sure if it is correct. The machine shows I have 1.5 gigs of RAM, but I am afraid it may not be accessing at the proper speed or bit rate. Also, if I do have to have both 256 in one channel and the 512 in the other, which size would go in which channel?

That's a good question. Since you don't have a manual for the motherboard have you tried calling HP's tech support yet? If I had to take a guess I'd be inclined to put one 512mb and 256mb in each channel (as long as the 512mb and 256 are identical), giving you 768mb in each channel. I'm not sure if that's the correct way to do it though or how much it even matters, so if someone knows for sure, please post down below. HTH

[sk8teguy]

I called HP and they didn't know for sure either. They think that as long as all four of the boards are 333 PC 2700 they will work. They also think as I did, that I should put a 512 and a 256 in each channel. The problem is, is that they were not positive either. Dragon has told me that I should put the 512s in the proper (color coded or labeled sockets) and remove the 256s. He felt that if I keep the 256s, I will lose dual channel capability. I will probably call ASUS since my MB is an ASUS P4SD-LA. If they can't tell me, I guess it will give me some ammo toward convincing my wife I need two more 512s. Again, thank you!