1GB/2Gb Memory ? And other technical questions

[craige4u]

Hello Folks,

I am currently having Transcend 512 x 2( 400 MHz ), running dual-channel on my Intel 865GBF Motherboard.

I am planning to upgrade to total 2Gb Ram and have a few questions:

1] Shall I install another 512 x 2 ram modules OR Shall I go with 1Gb x 2sticks ?
If I install another 512 x 2, I will have an total of 512 x 4 sticks.

2] Does the performance differ if I go with 512 x 4 OR 1GB x 2 Sticks( Dual channels ) ?

3] Does Intel 865GBF mobo., suffers from the problem: where running 4 sticks and more than 1gb of memory leads to an decreased performance(clock) at 333MHz ?

Also request to help me with this question ?

I am having 512 x 2 Transcend ram running dual-channel, but the thing is I have purchased both of them separately that one after another between a 4Months gap.

Now how can I know that both are running at the same exact clock speeds ?
Can anybody suggest me an software to know the same?

Any-kind of genuine help will be appreciated.

My system specs:
Pentium 3.0Ghz HT
Intel 865GBF Motherboard
256Mb ATI 9800XT Graphics card
400 Watts power supply
512 x 2 Ram
Windows XP Pro

 

[velis]

I guess for an Intel mobo it sould be OK to just plop in another 2x512MB. I can't really tell you if your MB will have issues with that or not. Do know though that it's always harder to manage 4 sticks vs 2 sticks. Since I haven't used Intel in such a config for a long time, I don't have first-hand exp in regard to lowered timings with 4 modules. Check MB documentation.
As for same frequencies of your existing RAM: RAM will always run at the same timings / frequencies. At least I don't know any controller that would support multiple settings - for each module. The frequency / timings must always be slower / equal to the slowest module you have. You just KNOW that is so, no way it couldn't be...

 

[craige4u]

Guyz,

Me just checked my Two sticks 512Mb DDR 400 Mhz with CPU-Z software for frequency as I had purchases both the sticks individually within 4months gap and not in a single dual channel pack.

Note: I have performed individual check with both the rams.

On memory under the Timings column I have got the below details:

Frequency = 199.5Mhz
FSBRAM = 1:1
CAS#Latency= 2.5
RAS#to CAS##Delay= 3
RAS#Precharge= 3
Cycle time [Tras]= 8

Is it described as: 2.5-3-3-8 ?
Is these latencies good enough?

As of above, is it true that CAS#Latency lower the better ?
Ex: 2.0 is better than 2.5 and 2.5 is better than 3.0.


Second on SPD I am getting the below details:

General
Memory type DDR-SDRAM
Manufacturer (ID) Transcend Information
Size 512 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC3200 (200 MHz)
Part number TS64MLD64V4F
Serial number 0054E894
Manufacturing date Week 04/Year 41

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 166 200
CAS# Latency 2.0 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay 3 3
RAS# Precharge 3 3
TRas# 7 8

I am getting the exact same above information on both the Rams, so is it good enough to work with dual-channel mode right ?and it doesn?t face the frequency problem, where one is lower than the other ?

Second, why is the Max bandwidth PC3200 (200 MHz), showing 200MHZ whereas the memory is 400MHz ?

Overall my ultimate question is am I getting the same performance as would I be getting if I had purchased the two-sticks in one pack specifically designed to work in dual-channel mode ?

 

[velis]

Getting the same timings is not a prerequisite for dual channel operation. Like I said, If one module would be slower than the other, you'd just need to set timings to accomodate the slower module. They'd be working in dual channel too.
Since you have the same timings on both modules you don't have that "problem" and yes, you can use them dual channel. The timings on the other hand are not so good. Like you said, lower == better. But those timings are always reported lower to ensure stability during first use. MB will set the timings to what is listed in these tables by default, but that doesn't mean it's the maximum your RAM is capable of.
Ideally your timings should be like 2-2-2-5, but I guess you won't be able to reach that. My Corsair CMX3200-C2 runs happily at 2.5-3-3-5. Also note that the other RAM timings (there are around 10 different latencies) can be tweaked too to increase throughput.

 

[craige4u]

Velis - As i have measured and purchased both the sticks, i wonder how come both have been running in exact same latencies and frequencies ? am i doing something wrong is measuring ?

Second u said: "Ideally your timings should be like 2-2-2-5" - is it possible for my RAM to achieve these marks ? ( i thought i have to buy new sticks 4 better perfromance) - I DONT WANT TO OVERCLOCK

Third, can tell what is in say eg: 2.5-3-3-8, now what does these 8 denotes?

As per the results are my sticks good enough?

 

[Wentelteefje]

Those timings are very good, you could lower them somewhat by upping the voltage of your RAM, but that's not guaranteed...

This is a basic guide to memory timings...

 

[velis]

I'm sorry, I don't know Transcend to be able to tell you how high your sticks will go, but your timings are good.
Even if you got your RAM to 2-2-2-5, there'd be negligible difference in overall speed of your comp. Sure, synthetics show huge increases just from modifying CAS (2.5) value to 2, but in real life processor's cache almost entirely kills that difference.
As for the other question, Wentelteefje directed you to an adequate site

Yes, your sticks are good.

Anyway, in light of your desire to add more RAM, try to arrange a possible return of the new 2x512 sticks just in case your mobo would give you trouble. If you should have problems with mobo after adding 2 more sticks, you'll just need to go to 2x1GB. Make sure you get some RAM with at least 2.5-3-3-8 timings though to avoid further lowering. Your current timings are good, 3-4-4-8 is not so hot anymore however.

Edit: forgot about the first question: You simply bought two sticks of equally performing RAM. Those timings don't change just like that. You actually have a rather small pool of available latencies. And your supplier probably just orders one or two types of RAM from Transcend. When you mentioned you bought Transcend on a previous occasion, you had a pretty high chance of getting the exact same type of memory you got the first time

 

[craige4u]

Folks,

You guyz have been extremely helpful and i thank you all for ya responses.

cHeers,
Merry cHristmaS !