Is 4 Card Memory (4x512) stable?

[Deptacon]

Ok guys, I wanna bump up my memory, and am currently running this Kingston PC3200 Value Ram
PC 3200

Now, It would be simple to just add another 2 cards, but I was reading in the A8N SLI Premium thread that that isnt stable on that board, is that the same on the Deluxe?

Should I go to 2 1 Gig Chips?

Also, is this value memory suitable for my needs (high end gaming, but no overclocking) or should I look at something higer than 3200 or maybe something more premium? Should I go to PC4000 or maybe even seomthing in the 5000 range? or is that a waste of money for someone like me who isnt overclocking. Im not really sure what kind of performance gains I would be looking at if I did make the jump.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[Deptacon]

or perhaps I should jump on this?
OCZ 2x1Gig Deal with MIR

this would get me down to just 2 dimms, and would be upgrading to a little bit better memory...i think.... what do you guys think?

 

[SynthDude2001]

I don't know about stability on that particular board (not that it has any bearing on your situation, but I'm running 4x512MB sticks, two of which are cheap PC3200 Value RAM, with no problems in a $65 ASRock board, so I would assume you won't have problems). If you're not overclocking, faster RAM is a waste of money (and even if you are overclocking, there's an argument to be made that it's not worth the money). If you already have the 2x512, I'd just recommend picking up another two sticks of the same to save on money. My opinion is that DDR is sorta on its way out (no new platforms are using it), so I don't see much of a point in spending lots of money on a memory type that won't much be in use anymore as time goes on.

 

[Deptacon]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I don't know about stability on that particular board (not that it has any bearing on your situation, but I'm running 4x512MB sticks, two of which are cheap PC3200 Value RAM, with no problems in a $65 ASRock board, so I would assume you won't have problems). If you're not overclocking, faster RAM is a waste of money (and even if you are overclocking, there's an argument to be made that it's not worth the money). If you already have the 2x512, I'd just recommend picking up another two sticks of the same to save on money. My opinion is that DDR is sorta on its way out (no new platforms are using it), so I don't see much of a point in spending lots of money on a memory type that won't much be in use anymore as time goes on.

So you think I should make the jump to DDR2? Is there a significant performance increase going to DDR2?

Actually, now that I think of it, I don't think my board supports DDR2. I just flipped through the manual and it mentions DDR in the memory section but nothing on DDR2. So Im not even all that sure if it is even supported.

 

[yelo333]

Originally posted by: Deptacon

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I don't know about stability on that particular board (not that it has any bearing on your situation, but I'm running 4x512MB sticks, two of which are cheap PC3200 Value RAM, with no problems in a $65 ASRock board, so I would assume you won't have problems). If you're not overclocking, faster RAM is a waste of money (and even if you are overclocking, there's an argument to be made that it's not worth the money). If you already have the 2x512, I'd just recommend picking up another two sticks of the same to save on money. My opinion is that DDR is sorta on its way out (no new platforms are using it), so I don't see much of a point in spending lots of money on a memory type that won't much be in use anymore as time goes on.

So you think I should make the jump to DDR2? Is there a significant performance increase going to DDR2?

Actually, now that I think of it, I don't think my board supports DDR2. I just flipped through the manual and it mentions DDR in the memory section but nothing on DDR2. So Im not even all that sure if it is even supported.

No, they wouldn't be supported on your current board if it already supports DDR. DDR2 is an AM2 thing, not 939. I also don't think believe is any appreciable "real-world" performance difference between the two right now. Anandtech's AM2 articles should have more info.

I believe his point is that there will be no new architectures which support DDR. Intel has been with DDR2 for quite some time now, and AMD finally switched with AM2. So you will be out of luck using these DDR sticks with a new computer a few years down the road.

As far as 939 supporting 4 sticks, the answer is yes, but at 2T timing. Pre revision E venice cores /might/ only support 4 sticks at a slower 333mhz front side bus. I don't own a Athlon64-based computer, so it would probably be better to wait for a more knowledgable ATer to chime in on this.

What I would probably do in your situation would be to get either (a) 1 gig stick and lose dual channel, or (b) buy 2x 1 gig sticks, like the OCZ you linked to. At this stage, I doubt it's worth your money buying 512mb sticks unless you are heavily overclocking.

 

[Deptacon]

anyone else have any input?

 

[Noubourne]

IIRC, the first Rev E chips were Venice, and the first Venice chips were Rev E. They're the same thing. Previous "revisions", that can't do DDR400 with four double-sided DIMMS and kick you back down to DDR333, are Newcastles.

All Venice chips can do 4 DIMMS at DDR400; almost NONE do 4x512 at 1T. He is correct that you'll have to kick down to a 2T Command Rate. It will have a miniscule impact on performance, but as far as benches are concerned, 1T is better.

Personally, if I go to 2GB on this rig, I'll be moving to the 2x1GB OCZ Platinum DDR400 at 2-3-2-5 (that kit is about $150 at Newegg right now). However, since I'm planning on a Conroe purchase in fall, I most likely WON'T be putting any more RAM into this rig. I've got 1GB of dual channel DDR500 in it now, so I'm not going to get as much bandwidth going to 2GB as Joe Schmoe, especially if the 2x1GB sticks force me to kick down my RAM speed.

 

[Deptacon]

Originally posted by: Noubourne
IIRC, the first Rev E chips were Venice, and the first Venice chips were Rev E. They're the same thing. Previous "revisions", that can't do DDR400 with four double-sided DIMMS and kick you back down to DDR333, are Newcastles.

All Venice chips can do 4 DIMMS at DDR400; almost NONE do 4x512 at 1T. He is correct that you'll have to kick down to a 2T Command Rate. It will have a miniscule impact on performance, but as far as benches are concerned, 1T is better.

Personally, if I go to 2GB on this rig, I'll be moving to the 2x1GB OCZ Platinum DDR400 at 2-3-2-5 (that kit is about $150 at Newegg right now). However, since I'm planning on a Conroe purchase in fall, I most likely WON'T be putting any more RAM into this rig. I've got 1GB of dual channel DDR500 in it now, so I'm not going to get as much bandwidth going to 2GB as Joe Schmoe, especially if the 2x1GB sticks force me to kick down my RAM speed.

Ok, thanks for verifying the 4 DIMM thing for me, and I do have a NewCastle (but im about to go to a 4000+ San Diego) so it's important I knew this. I have decided Im gonna grab some of that OCZ 2x1's that are on sale at New Egg. thanks again for your help guys.