I recently ordered a 1GB PC 2100 DDR module from an online retailer,
and when I installed it in my computer, the computer just hung.
I have an ASUS A7V266-E motherboard which uses the Via KT266A chipset. I
just got an email from the retailer explaining that it doesnt work
because
"You ordered a 1GB module made with today's new 128x4 configuration
(standard module), it appears that this new type will not work for
you. This module is not registering correctly on your system due to
compatibility issues with your motherboard and configuration
densities. We sell modules that will work for you. You need a module
made with 64x8 configuration (Old Standard) of 1GB DDR PC 2100."
He then goes on to explain that I can upgrade for $35 to that 64x8 RAM
which is guaranteed to work with my system. That's all well and
good, hoewever, I went to the Micron memory site, and they basically
said that the only thing that would make a difference is the total
component density. They sell their memory in the same 128x4
configuration that shouldn't work according to the other retailer, but
the Crucial representative said it would in fact work, and I tend to
beleive them. I'm sure they've had at least a couple people with the
same motherboard order that module, and they probably wouldn't list
it as compatible in their memory configurator if it were not.
So does it make a difference, that the memory is in 128x4 as opposed
to 64x8, even though they are the same 512 Megabits? Is the Crucial person
lying, and/or have no idea what they are talking about? Did the
online retailer send me a bad part and is now trying to cover up that
fact by not only trying to send me another part, but trying to make $35 in the
process? (There were small scratches all over the heat spreader they installed. I never
would have thought anything of the scratches, but like I said, the
module didn't work when installed. Also, it went through US mail for
about 5 days so that makes me wonder. Plus the heat spreader
obviously hides the actual brand of the chips being used.) Exactly what kind of 1 Gig
modules WILL my motherboard be able to handle? The link to my
motherboard's manual is below, along with part of the transcript from
the Crucial representative, and the maximum component density spec
listed on the Crucial site of 512 Megabits.
Would I be better off buying this module from Komusa (it would end up being the same price
as if I got the "upgraded" module from the other retailer):
1GB DDR PC- 2100 Samsung/Micron/Infineon
PC-2100 266MHz, 184 pins, CAS 2.5
Major brand names, 64x8 chips, work on all boards
Non-Parity, Unbuffered, None ECC, 128Mx64
It first lists 64x8 but then lists 128Mx64. I have no idea what this
means.
If anyone knows the answer to any of this I'd appreciate it.
Thanks in advance
Mike
Crucial sales representative chat transcript:
Mary Ann> The components (little black chips) are made of silicon
wafer chips, which have a density level. This level refers to the
amount of information a chip can carry.
Mary Ann> Super high density memory has a 512Mb (Megabit) component
density. This means that a 512MB (Mega Byte) part would have 8 chips
on the memory board. These are limited to newer models.
Mary Ann> Low density memory has a 128Mb component density. This
means that a 256MB part would have 16 chips on the memory board. Most
computers including older models accept this density.
Mary Ann> The 1GB parts that we sell are 512Megabit
http://www.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socka/kt266a/a7v266-e/a7v266e-100.pdf
Listed on Crucial Website for ASUS A7V266-E
Max Unbuffered DDR SDRAM: 3072MB
Max Registered DDR SDRAM: Not Supported
Max RDRAM: Not Supported
Error Detection Support: Non-ECC only
AGP Support: 2x and 4x
Max Component Density: 512Mb
and when I installed it in my computer, the computer just hung.
I have an ASUS A7V266-E motherboard which uses the Via KT266A chipset. I
just got an email from the retailer explaining that it doesnt work
because
"You ordered a 1GB module made with today's new 128x4 configuration
(standard module), it appears that this new type will not work for
you. This module is not registering correctly on your system due to
compatibility issues with your motherboard and configuration
densities. We sell modules that will work for you. You need a module
made with 64x8 configuration (Old Standard) of 1GB DDR PC 2100."
He then goes on to explain that I can upgrade for $35 to that 64x8 RAM
which is guaranteed to work with my system. That's all well and
good, hoewever, I went to the Micron memory site, and they basically
said that the only thing that would make a difference is the total
component density. They sell their memory in the same 128x4
configuration that shouldn't work according to the other retailer, but
the Crucial representative said it would in fact work, and I tend to
beleive them. I'm sure they've had at least a couple people with the
same motherboard order that module, and they probably wouldn't list
it as compatible in their memory configurator if it were not.
So does it make a difference, that the memory is in 128x4 as opposed
to 64x8, even though they are the same 512 Megabits? Is the Crucial person
lying, and/or have no idea what they are talking about? Did the
online retailer send me a bad part and is now trying to cover up that
fact by not only trying to send me another part, but trying to make $35 in the
process? (There were small scratches all over the heat spreader they installed. I never
would have thought anything of the scratches, but like I said, the
module didn't work when installed. Also, it went through US mail for
about 5 days so that makes me wonder. Plus the heat spreader
obviously hides the actual brand of the chips being used.) Exactly what kind of 1 Gig
modules WILL my motherboard be able to handle? The link to my
motherboard's manual is below, along with part of the transcript from
the Crucial representative, and the maximum component density spec
listed on the Crucial site of 512 Megabits.
Would I be better off buying this module from Komusa (it would end up being the same price
as if I got the "upgraded" module from the other retailer):
1GB DDR PC- 2100 Samsung/Micron/Infineon
PC-2100 266MHz, 184 pins, CAS 2.5
Major brand names, 64x8 chips, work on all boards
Non-Parity, Unbuffered, None ECC, 128Mx64
It first lists 64x8 but then lists 128Mx64. I have no idea what this
means.
If anyone knows the answer to any of this I'd appreciate it.
Thanks in advance
Mike
Crucial sales representative chat transcript:
Mary Ann> The components (little black chips) are made of silicon
wafer chips, which have a density level. This level refers to the
amount of information a chip can carry.
Mary Ann> Super high density memory has a 512Mb (Megabit) component
density. This means that a 512MB (Mega Byte) part would have 8 chips
on the memory board. These are limited to newer models.
Mary Ann> Low density memory has a 128Mb component density. This
means that a 256MB part would have 16 chips on the memory board. Most
computers including older models accept this density.
Mary Ann> The 1GB parts that we sell are 512Megabit
http://www.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socka/kt266a/a7v266-e/a7v266e-100.pdf
Listed on Crucial Website for ASUS A7V266-E
Max Unbuffered DDR SDRAM: 3072MB
Max Registered DDR SDRAM: Not Supported
Max RDRAM: Not Supported
Error Detection Support: Non-ECC only
AGP Support: 2x and 4x
Max Component Density: 512Mb
Facebook
Twitter