Adding memory to my Chaintech Ultra MB, puzzled...

[jlpicard]

I want to add a Gig of RAM to my Chaintech MB, but the manual that comes with the MB is confusing (figure the odds).

It says: "Due to CPU specifications limitations, two DDR400 memory modules inserted into DIMM1/3, three DDR400 into DIMM1/2/3, or four DDR400 into DIMM1/2/3/4 is not recommended."

HUH? Ok I have two 512 modules now, in Dimm 1/2. I want to add two more 512 modules, where in blue blazes would they have me put them?

And what exactly is "Dual Channel" memory?

Hope this question is in the right place...

 

[GadgetBuilder]

I assume you have a VNF4, at least the quote from the manual looks familiar 🙂

The quoted sentence is terse and surprisingly accurate except that "not recommended" should be "may not operate at DDR400". The setup you currently use, 2x512 in 1/2 always works at DDR400 (assuming decent memory) but using slots 1/3 or 1/2/3 I don't believe will work at DDR400 although it will still work, just slower.

4x512 *MAY* work at DDR400, it depends on the memory you use and phase of the moon -- you'll have to try it. It should work in any case, it just may run a bit slower. 2x1024 is preferred for 2gb.

More info at: http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=401852

(As with any change to memory, run memtest86+ to ensure the new memory is working properly.)

 

[Harvey]

You may have to trade your four 512 MB sticks for two 1 GB sticks to get it to work properly as DDR 400.

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: Harvey
You may have to trade your four 512 MB sticks for two 1 GB sticks to get it to work properly as DDR 400.

single-sided RAM=DDR400 4x512

double-sided RAM=DDR333 4x512

jlpicard, check your RAM sticks and see if there are ICs on both sides of the stick or just one side and then see above🙂

 

[jlpicard]

I have a AMD64 3000+ Athlon Venice.

This is the memory I currently have installed: Kingston ValueRAM 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory

How can I tell if it is functioning as DDR 400?

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: jlpicard
I have a AMD64 3000+ Athlon Venice.

This is the memory I currently have installed: Kingston ValueRAM 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory

How can I tell if it is functioning as DDR 400?

if your FSB is set to 200 (the default setting), then the RAM is running at DDR400 (FSB x 2=DDRXXX speed) as long as you are using the default 200mhz memory divider. memory divider can be found under Advanced Chipset features in bios.

i.e. if you have not changed anything in bios (still at default), go to Advanced Bios Features and disable "Full Screen Logo Display", save the settings and upon reboot, you should see the RAM speed listed as DDR400 in the top third or so of the POST screen

do me a favor and just look at your RAM sticks and tell me whether there are black chips on both sides of each stick or just on one side, I can see that Kingston sells two different Value Rams, one single-sided, the other is double-sided

 

[jlpicard]

I just looked I have chips on both sides of the sticks. I also set the Logo thing, my Bios had it labled a bit different, but I found it and disabled it, my Boot up sequence says DDR400.

I could not find the memory divider listing under Advanced Chipset features.

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: jlpicard
I just looked I have chips on both sides of the sticks. I also set the Logo thing, my Bios had it labled a bit different, but I found it and disabled it, my Boot up sequence says DDR400.

I could not find the memory divider listing under Advanced Chipset features.

memory divider will just read "200mhz", if you select it you will see other options ranging down to 100mhz divider

your RAM being double-sided means you should either:
1. sell off your 2x512 and buy 2x1GB matched pair, or

2. buy identical 2x512 pair and run RAM at DDR333. you could then lower CPU mutli to 8x and raise the FSB to 250mhz, giving you 208mhz/DDR416 and a higher CPU speed of 2.0ghz instead of 1.8ghz. Should be no problem with your Venice at stock voltage.

I would vote for option two because it's both cheaper and performance will be faster because RAM timings on 1GB kits are looser than timings on 2x512 kits.

 

[jlpicard]

So is this single/double sided thing inaccurate in my case? It appears I am running DDR400 with double-sided RAM chips...

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: Harvey
You may have to trade your four 512 MB sticks for two 1 GB sticks to get it to work properly as DDR 400.

single-sided RAM=DDR400 4x512

double-sided RAM=DDR333 4x512

jlpicard, check your RAM sticks and see if there are ICs on both sides of the stick or just one side and then see above🙂

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: jlpicard
So is this single/double sided thing inaccurate in my case? It appears I am running DDR400 with double-sided RAM chips...

Originally posted by: the cobbler

Originally posted by: Harvey
You may have to trade your four 512 MB sticks for two 1 GB sticks to get it to work properly as DDR 400.

single-sided RAM=DDR400 4x512

double-sided RAM=DDR333 4x512

jlpicard, check your RAM sticks and see if there are ICs on both sides of the stick or just one side and then see above🙂

right now you only have 2x512, so DDR400. if you add 2 more sticks of RAM for 4x512, then you will be@ DDR333

 

[jlpicard]

Ok I gotcha, so I am going to get another matched set, and install the modifications you suggested. TY so much for walking me thru this!

 

[jlpicard]

Dunno, I just bought and installed another matched pair of 512's and my Boot screen still reports it at '400... Is there another way to verify this, maybe some downloaded software?

 

[GadgetBuilder]

As I said in my earlier post: it MAY work. Yours works. Sometimes it doesn't work at 400, no one seems to know why.

This is the time to celebrate and then move on to the next problem 🙂