DDR2 RAM - Page 2

Laodaron · 05-10-2008, 08:12 PM

Where did you get that info, dear sir?

Calbiyum · 05-10-2008, 08:32 PM

Powerleap.com

I have been using 2 256 mb sticks and a 1gig stick. The 1 gig is kingston while the 256 are crucial and it has been fine for me in the past.

Also my dog is a bearded collie if that helps at all.

Letum · 05-11-2008, 01:45 PM

what color is your urine pls

Petgroup · 05-11-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calbiyum

I got 1 2 gig stick

Kingston Technology - 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Desktop Memory - KVR667D2/2GR

So I'll have this and a 1 gig. That cute enough?

DO NOT SPEND $200 ON THAT

Spend $40 and mail me a check for the difference =)

Newegg.com - Kingston 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Lamil · 05-11-2008, 02:58 PM

He didn't spend 200, he spent 50. IDK why he linked that.

vcjester · 05-11-2008, 05:46 PM

If that is your system specs Cal, you are losing some performance with the set up. This is pulled from the Intel D925XCV motherboard manual. Downloadable PDF version found here

1.6.1 Memory Configurations

The Intel 82925X MCH supports two types of memory organization:

•

Dual channel (Interleaved) mode. This mode offers the highest throughput for real world applications. Dual channel mode is enabled when the installed memory capacities of both DIMM channels are equal. Technology and device width can vary from one channel to the other but the installed memory capacity for each channel must be equal. If different speed DIMMs are used between channels, the slowest memory timing will be used.

• Single channel (Asymmetric) mode. This mode is equivalent to single channel bandwidth operation for real world applications. This mode is used when only a single DIMM is installed or the memory capacities are unequal. Technology and device width can vary from one channel to the other. If different speed DIMMs are used between channels, the slowest memory timing will be used.

Browsing the manual a bit more I found that it comes standard with 533 mhz ddr2 and can address up to 4gb of ram and according to Windows BBS Xp home will recogize a maximum of 4gigs. I read somewhere else that the NT version recognizes 16gigs.

So, all in all. If you want to maximize your ram on the computer, get 4 sticks of 1 gig ram, possibly one identical of the 1 gig you already ordered and 2 of whatever tickles your bumm.

Here's what I would do to get the best for my buck, find out what the exact model number is of the ram you already have in your computer, see if you can find another on the net somewhere. Put those in one channel. Order another of 1 gig you currently have on order and put those in the other channel.

In many applications, 2 gigs of dual channel ram will out perform 3 gigs of single channel ram, so I'd definatly try to utilize the dual channel capabilities of that mobo.

Buying faster speed ram won't give you any benefits with the current processor/mobo set up though unless you plan on overclocking. The 533 mhz stuff would probably fry if you overclocked it too much, thus the faster speed options you see when shopping.

Hope all this blah blah blah helps LOL

Gage · 05-11-2008, 05:53 PM

Weird, most the time dual channel will work despite capacity.

vcjester · 05-11-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaige

Weird, most the time dual channel will work despite capacity.

Edit: Posted before Gaige edited his post, thus the confusing reply. LOL

As much as I respect most of your knowledge Gaige on these subjects, I have to say that you're mistaken on this. Each channel MUST have identical sizes and speed. If one channel has 2 sticks of ram in it of one speed and the other channel is running a different speed, the mobo utilizes the slower of the 2 options.

I've owned 3 computers with dual channel, starting with the ol' P4 Williamette 1.3mhz with dual channel rambus memory. They've all had the same rules about how the memory configs must be. If you have the wrong ram in the wrong slots, it'll revert to single channel mode.

Oh yeah, forgot this part. I've had some computer builder/repair friends in the past that say that about 50% of the ram they get is DOA from the manufacturer. Quality has probably improved a lot since the last time I heard that, (about 6 years ago) but don't be surprised if you find one you've ordered to be a dud. Easiest way to test to see which is the dud is to install only one at a time, fire up the system and if it boots up, that ram is ok.

Gage · 05-11-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcjester

As much as I respect most of your knowledge Gaige on these subjects, I have to say that you're mistaken on this. Each channel MUST have identical sizes and speed.

I was going to leave well enough alone, but whatever.

Your commentary would be correct if he used an AMD system, but he doesn't:

Quote:

Do I need the same size RAM sticks to run in Dual Channel? Yes (AMD at this point says yes)/No (Intel) but you do usually want the same speed and latency as every thing clocks down to the slowest of both. Example 533Mhz CL4 mixed with 667Mhz CL5 will go with the slowest of both 533Mhz CL5 (not always with the latency) and slower than if either were matched. Same size sticks will run slightly faster symmetric RAM array (Interleaved). If the RAM is of different sizes it runs in what is called “asymmetric RAM array” (Intel Flex Memory/ AMD does not support). The greater the disparity between your 2 sticks the greater the performance hit vs sticks of the same size. The difference seems to be approximately in proportion to the ratio of the the smaller stick x2 to the entire amount of RAM. An example with Intel, 1GB stick and 2GB stick. 2/3, 1GB(smallest stick)x2 to 3GB(the entire amount). Well 2/3 of the total improvement, of the Dual Channel running with the same size sticks (symmetric RAM array) 10%, the asymmetric RAM array example is about 6.7% so a 3.3% less than symmetric RAM array. With 512MB stick and 2GB stick, 512MB(smallest stick)x2 to 2.5GB(the entire amount). 1/2.5 4% improvement. AMD's will show greater improvements and losses, Dual/Single keep that in mind.

I'm 99% sure that what I originally typed is correct. He'll run 3Gb of ram in dual channel mode with the 1gb/2gb stick combo as long as he uses the right ram slots. He'll suffer a small performance hit, but nothing worth discussing.

All in all his experience will be improved.

So please don't correct me unless you're positive you know what you're talking about.

http://www.intel.com/support/motherb.../cs-011965.htm

^^^ This link specifically. His motherboard, the d925xcv, supports Flex Mode. That means 2Gb of his memory will run in dual channel mode, and 1Gb of it will run in single channel mode simultaneously. The additional ram combined with the bandwith improvements WILL result in a faster computer, not slower like you stated in your post.

You can apologize whenever you feel up to it.

Edit: Cal, your board has 4 slots that hold a max of 1Gb each, so the 2Gb stick you ordered won't work, you do need 4x1Gb for 4Gb.

So if I were you I'd get two of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...108&Tpk=gskill