Four DDR DIMMS? Mixing DIMM types...

[augiem]

Before someone tells me to search the boards... I did! For hours. I wish they had a better search engine on these message boards... oh well.

---
Okay, I need some help here... This is my first DDR system so forgive my ignorance.

Ordered from newegg:
P4-3.0c retail
P4P800-E DLX
2x512 Simpletech PC3700 Nitro Kit

I'm going to try for probably 440-466 on the memory. (I'd be happy with at least 433, tho.)

The order is not even here yet, but I decided I wanted to add another 2x 512 for a total of 2GB memory.
The I saw the memory compatibility chart from the online PDF manual.
!!! I didn't realize some memory wouldn't work in a 4-dimm config! Simpletech is not even on that list... Anyone know if Nitro will work 4X?

Do you guys have any experience with running 4 Dimms? I'm worried I'll be stuck at 1GB.

Also, I have a chance to buy a 1-month old used stick of 512MB Kingston HyperX PC4000 for $120. I was hoping to save some $$$ and buy this stick, buy a 2nd stick of HyperX retail to pair with it, and group that up with the Simpletech Nitro. (Does the 2nd HyperX stick HAVE to be from the same revision, exact same markings, etc?)

I want to do either:
4x512MB Simpletech PC3700 Nitro (Chips are Simpletech -- Not even listed on MOBO RAM list!)
-or-
2x512MB Simpletech PC3700 Nitro + 2x512MB HyperX PC4000? (Does that sound like something this board could handle?)

I'm pretty sure both chips default to 3, 4, 4, 8 at their rated speeds.


Thanks for any help!

Augie

[edit - I just found out I was looking at a memory compatibility list from a slightly different board from Asus. Looking at the right one, Hynix is capable of running in a 4x setup, which is good, but still no info on Smpletech.]

http://www.asus.com/products/mb/socket478/P4C800_DDR400_QVL.pdf

 

[mechBgon]

The memory doesn't all have to be the same. The modules within each pair need to be at least logically the same (like, not different numbers of banks or different chip densities) in order to preserve dual-channel operation, which I'm sure you will want. Modules that aren't on Asus's list are probably still going to work unless they're inherently junkers, but you may give up a bit of overclock by loading it up with four modules.

Got a decent power supply to drive that thing? Memory modules can draw their fair share of power, up to an absolute max of 15W per module (according to Micron's module documentation for a double-sided DIMM), although I sure hope they are never putting out more than 5W each on average

Bottom line, be optomistic and see how it goes

 

[augiem]

Thanks for responding!

>> but you may give up a bit of overclock by loading it up with four modules

Is this just because all 4 sticks will have to reach a higher speed? (Making a defect more probable.) I don't want to OC further than PC3700 spec (466Mhz). Do you think it would be an issue in that case? (not ocing memory past spec, just cpu)

>> Got a decent power supply to drive that thing?

I am using an Antec PP-325X 350W ps. I guess I could get a 450 if I must. I was planning on getting a GF 5900 or 5900U, so I probably will have to move up a bit. My 350w is running fine on my current P4-1.6@2.2 w/512MB RDRAM, DVD-RW, CD-RW, 2x 7200RPM HD, GF Ti-4200, Sound card, FW card, 4 case fans.

--- about the Kingston --

>> The modules within each pair need to be at least logically the same

So you think it's OK to buy 2 sticks of HyperX that _may_ not be the exact same bin? They wouldn't go so far as to change # of chips, etc in different revisons, would they?

BTW, I like your sig.

Augie

 

[mechBgon]

Thanks :sun:

The conventional wisdom is that as you load down the memory bus, there's simply more ?noise? or whatever it is that brings the overclocking ceiling down a little bit. I'm not an Intel owner so you might get a better answer from someone who's been there / done that But from what I do know about the chipset itself, it won't mind that the modules aren't precisely matched, it just needs to be able to use the same logical addressing scheme on both of them if it's going to make one 128-bit-wide virtual supermodule out of the two modules within each pair.

One obvious no-go would be a single-bank module mixed with a double-bank module. You could take a 256MB Crucial module as an example... there are ones with four chips on them, ones with eight chips on them, and ones with 16 chips on them Ok, so you have a dryer full of socks, how many do you have to take out to guarantee that you get a matched pair... yeah

Anyway, good luck and at least your power supply is a good brand, not a cheez-O-matic one but if you encounter instability then you might jump up to an Enermax 450W one, they have lots of 12V amperage available.

 

[apoppin]

i have an o/c'd 2.80c p4 system with 1GB ram in DC . . . BOTH pairs of RAM - 2 x 256 - are PC3500; 1 pair Kingston cas 2-3-3-6 and 1 pair OCZ 2-3-3-7. The Kingston was original in my system and able to help hit 3.3Ghz at default voltage, CPU:RAM is 5:4 ratio and 'enhanced' timings.

Adding the 2nd pair, there was a bit of instability originally with my 2.80c's O/C to 3.3ghz until i bosted the CPU and RAM voltages one 'notch'; now the 'enhanced' timings are OFF and both run at CAS 2-3-3-7 and 5:4 ratio.

My PS was a generic 350w that came with my Aspire case (turbolink, i think); when i upgraded the ram - coincidently (i was planning for a GF 6800ultra) - i upgraded to a ThermalTake Silent PurePower 480w . . . so i can't say about your PS . . . should be plenty unless you are running a LOT of Xtras.

hope my experience helps

edited as my memory got better . . .