I have sent inquiries to two mainboard companies, a memory module company, and VIA Technologies regarding compatability of chipsets with x4 DRAM. In addition, I created a topic about this on three different forums, including this one, at least six months ago. I never have received any solid answers, VIA never even bothered to reply (typical).
Recently, I had the opportunity to test several motherboards using 256MB PC2700 Modules built with 32Mx4 DRAM chips. The results were:
Verified Compatible
Chaintech SKT600 (VIA KT600)
Chaintech MPM800-3 (VIA PM800)
ECS KT600-A (VIA KT600)
ECS PM800-M2 (VIA PM800)
ECS PT800CE-A (VIA PT800)
Jetway/MachSpeed P4MDPT (VIA P4M266A)
Jetway/MachSpeed V2MDMP (VIA KM266PRO)
PC Chips M811 v3.1 a.k.a. Syntax SV266AD (VIA KT266A)
Not Compatible
BIOSTAR M7VIG (VIA KM266)
MSI KM2M-Combo L (VIA KM266)
That's all I have for now. Compatible is defined as the BIOS reports the full capacity and the memory passed two loops of Memtest86. Not compatible is defined as the BIOS reports only half the capacity or the system was NO POST (POST error). All motherboards used the latest BIOS available at the time of testing.
I do not know the status of KT400/A, but based on the fact that KM400 (a.k.a. KM266PRO) supports x4 DRAM, there is more than a good chance that KT400/A does also. Interestingly, the much older VIA P4M266A does support x4 DRAM. I had read that all VIA P4 chipsets support x4 DRAM and this seems to be the case.
Intel and NVIDIA reportedly have no compatible chipsets, while SIS is supposed to have a few chipsets that can use x4 DRAM, though I don't know which ones. I will be acquiring an ATI R9100 IGP mainboard, so I will test that when I can. I have no idea about ALI.
However, the BIOS still requires support for x4 DRAM technology and just because it is supported in the hardware (chipset) does not mean the mainboard vendor has included the proper BIOS support. YMMV.
Update: Added KT266A
Recently, I had the opportunity to test several motherboards using 256MB PC2700 Modules built with 32Mx4 DRAM chips. The results were:
Verified Compatible
Chaintech SKT600 (VIA KT600)
Chaintech MPM800-3 (VIA PM800)
ECS KT600-A (VIA KT600)
ECS PM800-M2 (VIA PM800)
ECS PT800CE-A (VIA PT800)
Jetway/MachSpeed P4MDPT (VIA P4M266A)
Jetway/MachSpeed V2MDMP (VIA KM266PRO)
PC Chips M811 v3.1 a.k.a. Syntax SV266AD (VIA KT266A)
Not Compatible
BIOSTAR M7VIG (VIA KM266)
MSI KM2M-Combo L (VIA KM266)
That's all I have for now. Compatible is defined as the BIOS reports the full capacity and the memory passed two loops of Memtest86. Not compatible is defined as the BIOS reports only half the capacity or the system was NO POST (POST error). All motherboards used the latest BIOS available at the time of testing.
I do not know the status of KT400/A, but based on the fact that KM400 (a.k.a. KM266PRO) supports x4 DRAM, there is more than a good chance that KT400/A does also. Interestingly, the much older VIA P4M266A does support x4 DRAM. I had read that all VIA P4 chipsets support x4 DRAM and this seems to be the case.
Intel and NVIDIA reportedly have no compatible chipsets, while SIS is supposed to have a few chipsets that can use x4 DRAM, though I don't know which ones. I will be acquiring an ATI R9100 IGP mainboard, so I will test that when I can. I have no idea about ALI.
However, the BIOS still requires support for x4 DRAM technology and just because it is supported in the hardware (chipset) does not mean the mainboard vendor has included the proper BIOS support. YMMV.
Update: Added KT266A
. Anyways, if you don't mind me asking what are the differences in the above (like 128x4 = 512Mbit and 64Mx8 = 512Mbit)? Does this have to do with the number and size of the small chips that are on each DIMM? Does this have to do w/double/single sided DIMMs?
Facebook
Twitter