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confusion about nforce (msi) DIMM bank population

flexy

flexy

Diamond Member
hi,

looking at the handbook (you can download it from www.msi.com.tw) of the msi nforce board i get somewhat confused.

There is this appendix with the DIMM population table.

3 dimm slots...dimm0, dimm1, dimm2...

dimm0 = 64 bit, the both others are labeled 128bit.

In this table it gives some configurations...eg. "128MB...."...and then showing a 128MB module in *each* of the three dimm slots - i dont know if i understand this right. Look at it for youself. Why should i put THREE 128MB dimms in each slot....to only have 128MB in total ? This table is confusing !

It also says NOT to populate dimm3 with a 2 bank dimm. The standard crucial 265MB dimms (the one i got), non ecc, no parity....it's two bank....because it comes with 16 16m8 ram-chips on it. So..this "two bank" type of dimms are NOT supposed to go into the 3rd dimm of the nforce board.

However, i am also confused because recently i stumbled over an review...one person said he got a huge speed increase (64 bit vs. 128 bit) by putting one dimm in DIMM0 the other in DIMM3 (???????).

Does anyone know how the dimms for the nforce are supposed to be populated to achieve 128bit ?

Just one in the first slot...then the other in the second ? (Since the 3rd cannot be used according to the handbook)...at least not the normal two bank dimms you get from crucial...)

very confusing...


 
The nForce has twin bank architecture that has a 128bit DDR interface. When you use (2) DDR modules you get the 128bit performance. Dimm 0 & 2 are the ones you want to populate. If you use 1 stick of DDR in dimm 1, you receive the 64bit nForce 220 performance.

Someone please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
 
No, John, you have it right.

If you have two memory sticks, put them in the outer memory slots. Leave the middle one open.
 


<< No, John, you have it right.

If you have two memory sticks, put them in the outer memory slots. Leave the middle one open. >>




Do these 2 sticks have to be different megs or the same? Or does it matter?
 
Hmm. I'd think as long as they are both double-sided DIMMs, the megabyte size shouldn't matter.
 


<< It also says NOT to populate dimm3 with a 2 bank dimm. The standard crucial 265MB dimms (the one i got), non ecc, no parity....it's two bank....because it comes with 16 16m8 ram-chips on it. So..this "two bank" type of dimms are NOT supposed to go into the 3rd dimm of the nforce board.
 >>


Do you have this DIMM? http://www.crucial.com/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CT3264Z265

It is a one-bank DIMM, 32Mx8.

Leo
 


<<

<< It also says NOT to populate dimm3 with a 2 bank dimm. The standard crucial 265MB dimms (the one i got), non ecc, no parity....it's two bank....because it comes with 16 16m8 ram-chips on it. So..this "two bank" type of dimms are NOT supposed to go into the 3rd dimm of the nforce board.
 >>


Do you have this DIMM? http://www.crucial.com/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CT3264Z265

It is a one-bank DIMM, 32Mx8.

Leo >>



No, it's NOT one bank !!!

According to the handbook from MSI the 256mb module (the same as in your link above!) from crucial (32Mx64)

Module Details:
Part Number: CT3264Z265
? Module Size: 256MB
? Package: 184-pin DIMM
? Feature: DDR PC2100
? Configuration: 32Meg x 64

is a TWO BANK module...since it consists of 16 (8 on each side) 16m8 ram chips. I just checked my module, and on the chips it says 16m8. Crucial HAS NO 1 Bank 256mb modules btw !!!

Just wondering..because this means those (very common) modules can NOT be put it the one outer (dimm3) dimm slot !

 


<< Hmm. I'd think as long as they are both double-sided DIMMs, the megabyte size shouldn't matter. >>



no. you cannot put a two bank module in the one outer dimm (according to the msi handbook).

Btw..there must be something wrong...i cant see any *ONE BANK* 256mb module at crucial and/or corsair...the usual modules are all *two banks* so..the question remains WHAT to put WHERE on an nforce board to get to 128 bit ?

And..the table in the handbook doesnt help at all !

 


<< According to the handbook from MSI the 256mb module (the same as in your link above!) from crucial (32Mx64)

Module Details:
Part Number: CT3264Z265
? Module Size: 256MB
? Package: 184-pin DIMM
? Feature: DDR PC2100
? Configuration: 32Meg x 64

is a TWO BANK module...since it consists of 16 (8 on each side) 16m8 ram chips. I just checked my module, and on the chips it says 16m8. Crucial HAS NO 1 Bank 256mb modules btw !!!
>>


Well then, what does "32" in "32Meg x 64" stand for, if you say the modules are 16m8?

Leo
 
no. you cannot put a two bank module in the one outer dimm (according to the msi handbook).

Flexy, take a deep breath and chill.

Take a look at this picture. Those are 2-bank memory sticks. Put your memory in just like that, and you'll be fine.
 


<< Take a look at this picture. Those are 2-bank memory sticks. Put your memory in just like that, and you'll be fine. >>


Well, I personally don't like leaving a slot empty. 🙂 What about a 512+256+256 configuration? If the total amount of memory per controller is the same (512 and 256+256), TwinBank should like it just fine.

Leo
 
32x64 Mbit = 256MB - the dimm size, 32x72 = 256MB too with ECC.

16x8 Mbit or 32x4 = 128Mbit - the individual chip size, 16 of this make up a 256MB dimm.
32x8 Mbit or 64x4 = 256Mbit - 8 of this make up a single-side (1 bank) 256MB dimm.

dimm manufacturers list both number, but most sellers just list the first number.
 
Ok, I'm a little confused again....

lets say that I have a stick on the top slot of 256 megs of ram. What type of stick of RAM do I put in the bottom slot?
 
depends on your mb chipset,
some chipsets support only 6 banks, if a mb using such chipset has 4 dimm slots,
and you've 3 dimm slots filled with double-side dimm already, the last slot is unusable,
or you want to use all 4 dimm slots, then the last 2 dimm slots have to be single-side dimm.
 


<< no. you cannot put a two bank module in the one outer dimm (according to the msi handbook).

Flexy, take a deep breath and chill.

Take a look at this picture. Those are 2-bank memory sticks. Put your memory in just like that, and you'll be fine. >>



sure i will try to put it in that way [leaving the middle slot empty]😉

Also because of the fact that it may be very hard to find ANY 'normal' 256mb module which is ONE BANK. I just thought it is very odd...and/or the handbook [at least the one which is downloadable from MSI] is totally wrong.

Anyway....just to get sure....i'd like to see actual memory benchmarks with the various dimm configurations....just to see what configuration *really* would enable the 2*64bit memory bus access and give a performance gain in real life....

 
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