ASUS P5K-E 8GIG compatibility?

[wart thumbed]

Hello! I recently ordered a P5K-E (non wireless) http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131225

from Newegg.com as part of my new system build, which also includes 8gigs of DDR2 800 RAM. However, after placing my order I read that even thought the P5K-E can supposedly use 8gigs it usually has a ton of problems when booting up and recognizing the amount, etc.

My question is have any of you encountered such a problem with this motherboard? Should I just give the motherboard a go when it comes in and see if it works with my 8gigs?

My RAM is two sets of 2x2 (4Gig each) DDR2 800's from Crucial.

 

[Mondoman]

Since the chipset can only address 8GB, and hardware address mappings will take up likely 0.5-1GB of that total (depending on the components of your system), you will only have a max of about 3GB of usable RAM under a 32-bit OS (like Windows XP 32bit or Vista 32bit). For the same reasons, under a 64-bit OS, you will only have a max of about 7GB of usable RAM.

 

[wart thumbed]

Originally posted by: Mondoman
Since the chipset can only address 8GB, and hardware address mappings will take up likely 0.5-1GB of that total (depending on the components of your system), you will only have a max of about 3GB of usable RAM under a 32-bit OS (like Windows XP 32bit or Vista 32bit). For the same reasons, under a 64-bit OS, you will only have a max of about 7GB of usable RAM.

I see, well if the RAM will work with the motherboard and not cause problems that is enough for me to be satisfied with the motherboard (I will be using 64-bit OS). However, my main concern was with the possibility of the P5K-E not working at all with the amount of RAM.

More specifically my doubts began with a review from a Newegg customer of the same mother board:

"Cons: it didn't work with 4x G-skill 2GB memory sticks; it can only run 667Mhz if all 4 memory socket is being used. the QVL for memory in the booklet states that 800Mhz only works with mac 1GB sticks, so it doesn't run 1066Mhz with 8GB memory for sure ... Layout is a bit tight with VGA covering SATA sockets, out of the 4 memory sockets you can only use 1 socket if you want to run "
-Maui Tech Guru

(link to the review http://www.newegg.com/Product/...OnlyMark=False&Page=2)

I am not exactly sure what the reviewer means because I am very new to a lot of more specific info with computer hardware but it seems that the motherboard is not at all compatible with 2gig sticks of DDR2 800 RAM? :frown:

 

[Mondoman]

Installing 4 DIMMs at once is pushing the limits of unbuffered RAM technology. The higher the quality of the RAM and the higher the quality of the MB, the better the chances that it will work without problems. The fact that in the manual, Asus does not list any 2GB modules that it has successfully tested to work with 4 installed at DDR2-800 or DDR2-1066 speeds may indicate such problems, or it may just indicate that 2GB modules are so new that Asus hasn't tested very many of them. If there are problems, some possible solutions are to boost MCH voltage and/or DIMM voltage, or to run the RAM at a slower speed, such as DDR2-667. Asus does list a few 2GB modules that work at DDR2-667 speed with 4 DIMMs installed, so I wouldn't expect problems running your RAM at that speed.

 

[wart thumbed]

Originally posted by: Mondoman
Installing 4 DIMMs at once is pushing the limits of unbuffered RAM technology. The higher the quality of the RAM and the higher the quality of the MB, the better the chances that it will work without problems. The fact that in the manual, Asus does not list any 2GB modules that it has successfully tested to work with 4 installed at DDR2-800 or DDR2-1066 speeds may indicate such problems, or it may just indicate that 2GB modules are so new that Asus hasn't tested very many of them. If there are problems, some possible solutions are to boost MCH voltage and/or DIMM voltage, or to run the RAM at a slower speed, such as DDR2-667. Asus does list a few 2GB modules that work at DDR2-667 speed with 4 DIMMs installed, so I wouldn't expect problems running your RAM at that speed.

I see, thank you for your help .

 

[SniperWulf]

I'm typing this on a P5K-E with 8GB of G.Skill PC8000, no issues to report. It works, just make sure you enable the remapping feature in the bios

 

[wart thumbed]

Originally posted by: SniperWulf
I'm typing this on a P5K-E with 8GB of G.Skill PC8000, no issues to report. It works, just make sure you enable the remapping feature in the bios

!!!

Thank you!