AMD platform & ECC memory

[cmetz]

Are there any modern desktop AMD chipsets/boards that support unbuffered DDR ECC memory?
That is do, nforce2/3, Via KT400/400A/600/800, SiS whatever. Or is this confined to the "server" chipsets only?

Compare with the 875P, which is a higher-end (and higher-cost) desktop chipset for P4 that supports ECC. I'd rather have an AMD CPU where possible (better price/performance) but if I have to go into the server-grade stuff I just raised the cost too high.

 

[Peter]

The VGA-less VIA chipsets should, and the AMD chipset does. Whether or not a board and its BIOS actually implements it is question #2.

If you're going for the K8 architecture, then the RAM controller is in the CPU - and in its dual channel incarnation on socket 940, ECC support is always there.

 

[cmetz]

Do you know if socket 754 / "Athlon 64" supports ECC in its on-board controller?

 

[mechBgon]

It does.

 

[cmetz]

Thanks, both of you

 

[Zepper]

The only consumer level mobo that I know of that supports ECC (and also registered if you need to fill all 4 RAM sockets) is the Tyan S2495AN/ANRS (and of course, the old AMD chpset but mobos based on it don't support the latest XP CPUs) - please let me know if you run across another!!! Cheapest place to get is Provantage.com - ~$107. +sh.
. All KT series, socket-A VIA chipsets since at least the KT-266 support ECC, but mobo mfrs don't pass the fearure on to the users.
.bh.

 

[mechBgon]

The Asus K8V Deluxe has some interesting ECC goodies in its BIOS, Zepper, you might be interested in downloading the manual to check them out. ChipKill, even :Q

 

[Peter]

As I already said above, the RAM controller in the AMD K8 processors does support ECC.

Chipkill is only useful when using registered DIMMs with "x4" memory chips on. Most of the common stuff isn't.

 

[Zepper]

That's for the Athlon 64 anyway. Not exactly in the price range we're discussing. But thanks for the info. I'll stash it away for when I win the lottery...
.bh.

 

[cmetz]

Anyone know of a Via K8T motherboard that fully supports the ECC? I gather that there's some BIOS support required beyond the hardware support.

Thanks!