A8N-SLI can you use 3 sticks of RAM?

[venomtalon]

I'm currently using 2- 256mb chips, but I have a 512mb chip. All the Ram is PC3200. Can I use the 3rd chip in this board. and if so what slot should I put it in. I currently using DIMM_A1 and DIMM_B1.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I think you can use it in A2 or B2. But you won't be able to run dual channel and you will be forced to use a 2T command rate (big hit to performance). I would suggest getting rid of the 2 x 256, and getting another identical 512 stick, or just stay with the 2 x 256 until you can do so.

 

[mlc]

Yes .... just flip it around so the 2 256 sticks are both installed in either channel a or b... then put the 512 in the other channel....

if the sticks are the same model and rating.. they should work fine.. unless they have a different revision.. in which case you may need to loosen the timings to get it to work..

 

[Peter]

No it doesn't. Socket-939 requires the setup to be symmetric - not only in size, but also in arrangement.

 

[mlc]

not true......socket type wouldn't matter.. chipset would

in fact ... as long as you have something in each channel.. you'll get some type of dual channel performance..

if the 2 channels have an equal amount in each channel.. you'll get better performance....

this is taken from the user guide... Plus I've gotten confirmation on this from Corsair.. as well as in other forums...

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: mlc
not true......socket type wouldn't matter.. chipset would

Peter is right. The chipset doesn't matter on the A64 because the memory controller is on the CPU.

 

[mlc]

yeah..good point ..... Peter was absolutely correct about the controller managing the memory...forgot about that...

However.. I still don't agree with Peter's statement about the setup needing to be symetric...which was the original point... I am only basing this on what Asus states in their users guide. as well as other sources of info I've read..

Do we have other sources of info that suggests otherwise ? Thanks !

 

[mohsen]

I tried three sticks of 1 MB each and it didn't work. I talked to tech support at ASUS and was told that you can use 1, 2 or 4 sticks only but not three.

 

[Steve]

The setup needs to be symmetric for dual-channel, that's for sure.