Memory Compatibility Questions

[crockman]

SORRY for the Double-Post, Mistake, I explained in the other Thread. Also, could an Admin. Please Delete the "Other" Post, Thank you

I have a Soyo Kt400 Dragon Ultra Mobo & an ASUS A7V8X-X Mobo, both use the VIA Kt400 Chipset.SOYORead the "Note" in Red. ASUS Read the "DDR400 (PC3200) Support"

According to what I've red', there is a limitation w/ the VIA Kt400. The ASUS says you can only Run 2 "Banks" of DDR400 or 4 "Banks" of DDR333. The Soyo says you can only Run 2 "Banks" of DDR400 or "2" "Banks" of DDR333.

A "Bank" is "One-Side" of a Memory Module (stick), CORRECT ???

So if you use a Double-Sided Memory Module, that counts as 2 "Banks", CORRECT ?


Question: Being I already have 2-512MB sticks of DDR400, one Geil, one Ultra, & both Double-sided, Can I just go into the BIOS and set the Memroy speed at DDR333, then use Both DDR400 Modules ??? Or Is it some kind-of 'Physical' Limitation where I Physically have to use DDR333 ?

Thanks for the 'Coming' Help

 

[Ricemarine]

Bank = 1 memory slot...

Double sided memory only takes up 1 slot, so it counts as 1... You don't have to change it to run at ddr333... Just gotta make sure they run at the same latency.

Btw, you shouldn't have double posted.

 

[crockman]

Btw, you shouldn't have double posted

Sorry, I explained in the Other Post

Bank = 1 memory slot...

That is exactly why I'm asking. I've also had it explained that 1 Bank = 1 "Side" of a Memory Stick. Which is Correct ?

My Geil Memory is 2.5 cl, the Ultra 2.0 cl

Thanks

 

[cryptonomicon]

"Question: Being I already have 2-512MB sticks of DDR400, one Geil, one Ultra, & both Double-sided, Can I just go into the BIOS and set the Memroy speed at DDR333, then use Both DDR400 Modules ??? Or Is it some kind-of 'Physical' Limitation where I Physically have to use DDR333 ? "

all ddr memory is backwards compatible. you can use ddr400 set to ddr333 speed.

 

[crockman]

all ddr memory is backwards compatible. you can use ddr400 set to ddr333 speed

You're thus saying that it is Not a 'Physical' Limitation. I can use DDR400 as long as I set the Memory Bus at 333(166) in the BIOS, CORRECT ?

Thank you

And By-the-way, Do you know Exactly what "Bank" means ? Any Links so as I can 'see' the "Bank" explaination ?

Thanks

 

[CrispyFried]

My Soyo PXP400 is similar to your mobo, I can run 2 sticks at ddr400, but 3 sticks have to be at ddr333. banks = ram slots in this case. And the ddr400 mem will run at ddr333 fine.

it has to do with electrical loading, contacts and trace lenghts (gets to "noisy with 3 sticks).

its like the probs they had with vesa local bus slots.. 3 cards at 33 mhz, 2 at 40 and 1 at 50 mhz. load it up too much and signals get trashed.

 

[crockman]

My Soyo PXP400 is similar to your mobo, I can run 2 sticks at ddr400, but 3 sticks have to be at ddr333. banks = ram slots in this case. And the ddr400 mem will run at ddr333 fine

On my Soyo I can only fill 2 of the 3 Slots w/ DDR400 or DDR333, I can use all 3 Slots if I use DDR266.

I'm still not so sure about "banks = ram slots". The way it "Sounds" at the ASUS Website (i also have an ASUS A7V8X-X Mobo) that "Bank" refers to Each "Side" of the Memory Stick.

Do you know of a Website where I can Read about "Banks" ? (A Picture paints a Thousand Words)

Thank you for the Reply