Board supports 256MB ram...installed 320, so do i get 320?

[JoPalm]

My friend just installed 256MB of ram to give him a total of 320, but the MB only supports 256. Windows shows that it has 320MB. What i'm wondering is, does the computer utilize all 320 or just the 256 that the board supports?

What happends when you install more ram then what the max shows

This is the system he has.
( yes i am jealous ..i have 192 and he has 320..hehe )

 

[JoPalm]

Anyone?!

 

[Spoooon]

You might try downloading a benchmark like Sandra2000 and test the memory to see what happens.

 

[AndyHui]

The board should only be able to utilise 256MB. 256MB is a limitation of the Intel 440ZX chipset.

I don't know why Windows is detecting 320MB....perhaps it's reading it from the BIOS, but the chipset cannot address more than 256MB of RAM.

 

[JoPalm]

Thx again guys. And yea it is a 440zx chipset.
Would SiSoft actually tell him how much ram the computer's using?

 

[ruckb]

Hi,

i have checked the datasheet for the ZX too. Normally the ZX should support only 4 Banks (2 DIMM slots) with 64Mb devices.

But there was one interesting comment:
"It builds on the proven value of the Intel® 440BX AGPset architecture to bring Intel quality and reliability to Performance PCs at entry-level prices."

This means to me, that the BX is base for the ZX. The BX is supporting 8 Banks (4 DIMM slots). Therefore Intel has cutted the ability for the additional 2 DIMMs.
But as your board is having only two DIMM slots (right ?) this can not be the reason why the bigger memory stick was recognized.
Maybe they have alreay implemented the first 128Mb support, but not officially released it.

To give a final answer to your question we would need some additional information.
First the exact config of the DIMMs your are using.
and Second the Chipset register contents. They can be shown with H-oda's WPCREDIT programm.

ruckb

EDIT: I forgot one question:
Is the BIOS counting the 320MB while booting ?

 

[Guygye]

You mentioned Windows reports 320, is this win9x or nt-2k.

If its 9x the answer is no it does not utilize it.

 

[JoPalm]

Yes he's using win 98se. Hmm...too bad he can't utilize the other 64MB.
We don't know the exact config of the DIMM's, reason why is he doesn't want to open his box or else he voids his warranty...hehe, lol.
I think he's always got some authorized dealer to upgrade things for him. Oh well. Thx for answering my main question though.

 

[Sukhoi]

Wow, I'd never buy from a company that voids your warranty if you open the case.

 

[AndyHui]

His DIMM configuration is probably 1 256MB DIMM and 1 64MB DIMM. Just about all 440ZX motherboards had only 2 DIMM slots.

Essentially the ZX chipset is the BX chipset with various things cut out of it: no SMP, only 4 RAS lines instead of 8 on the BX, a maximum of 256MB of RAM, and a maximum of 4 PCI slots.

 

[JoPalm]

It's an HP....go figure.

I have one of their celeron HP's that I bought a year ago (500), I'll never buy an HP again!!!
I installed my own ram but my friend is scared of opening his..hehe.
The MB's they give you are a piece of crap.
I'm thinking of getting a new MB and CPU soon, wonder if I can fit it in this gay box of theirs...hehe.

 

[Degenerate]

What does the BIOS say?