Question about 72-pin SIMMs

[TrueBlueLS]

I'm not really sure about this or not, but I figured I'd ask. I thought I remembered seeing a connector/device that allowed you to connect 2 SIMMs of memory into one slot for memory. It was basically a connector that connected into where the memory slot is and then branched off to fit 2 SIMMs above it. Am I just hallucinating or is this real? If it is, can anyone give me some insight on it? Thanks.

 

[Whitedog]

If it "were" real, why would you even want to consider it? Typically, 72 pin simms are no larger than 32-64MB, sure I know they made bigger, but even a 128MB simm.... when a single 128MB DIMM is soooooooooo cheap (pennies practically)! Not to mention 5 times faster.

Sure, 2x72pin simms would give you the required 64bit memory address... that's like those STUPID cpu adapters (You know the ones... "Turn your piece-of-crap P166 into a P3-800!")

The first PII mobo's that came out used SIMMS (they were actually just refitted PPro boards I think), but it was soon realized what a WASTE it was and the platform was trashed.

Get it out of your mind that simms are useful!! They are worthless chunks of garbage. OK?

To answer your question: I have no idea. I too "heard" of them, but I never let the thought enter my mind again.

 

[bozo1]

Yea, I remember them. Caused most people problems.

 

[stevewm]

Such SIMM to DIMM adapters only worked with old systems that used PC66 DIMM memory. SIMM memory modules only went up to 66Mhz.

 

[Lord Evermore]

He didn't specify that it was going to a DIMM slot. There were lots of risers that simply let you mount more than one module in a single slot, you'd get a "left" and a "right" riser, so that they'd be back to back, letting you put like 2 in each slot for a total of 4, assuming your system supported that much total memory.

There were also 30 pin to 72 pin adapters.

Even if SIMMs did go to higher speeds, putting them in any sort of adapter is just asking for trouble, given how hard it is to get stability and no errors at the high speeds we have now, especially DDR.

 

[bozo1]

I don't think he's talking about turning SIMMs to DIMMs. Many years ago they made these goofy things that allowed you to mount 2 SIMMs on card that then plugged into 1 SIMM socket on your motherboard. It allowed you to use up to 8 modules in a board that only had 4 slots, etc. Good idea when you wanted to upgrade your memory by adding larger capacity Simms without having to remove any of your VERY expensive modules. (I actually remember paying $200/each for 4MB Simms.) You were still limited to the amount of RAM your chipset/motherboard supported, of course.

Didn't work too well. While some people claim to have had no problems, many reported major system stability problems. I was working tech support at the time for a large manufacturer and we'd get 2 or 3 calls a nite from people trying to use them.

 

[TrueBlueLS]

Originally posted by: Whitedog
If it "were" real, why would you even want to consider it? Typically, 72 pin simms are no larger than 32-64MB, sure I know they made bigger, but even a 128MB simm.... when a single 128MB DIMM is soooooooooo cheap (pennies practically)! Not to mention 5 times faster.

Sure, 2x72pin simms would give you the required 64bit memory address... that's like those STUPID cpu adapters (You know the ones... "Turn your piece-of-crap P166 into a P3-800!")

The first PII mobo's that came out used SIMMS (they were actually just refitted PPro boards I think), but it was soon realized what a WASTE it was and the platform was trashed.

Get it out of your mind that simms are useful!! They are worthless chunks of garbage. OK?

To answer your question: I have no idea. I too "heard" of them, but I never let the thought enter my mind again.

Well right now I'm using a board that has SIMMs for memory. I can't really build anything until about August, so I'm trying to make due with what I have. I just figured if I could cram more than 128 MB of RAM onto it, I'd havea easier time with running Windows 2000 Pro.

 

[bozo1]

I just figured if I could cram more than 128 MB of RAM onto it, I'd havea easier time with running Windows 2000 Pro.

You'd still be limited to the amount of RAM your chipset supports, whatever that may be.

 

[Whitedog]

Even the older 43*X chipsets usually supported at least 256MB, most supported 512.

I misunderstood him originally, I though he was asking about a simm to dimm adapter.

If you can spare $44 I found this at PriceWatch.

64MB FPM 60ns 16X32 60 FPM 72 PIN SIMM for $11 apiece. You could get 4 of those and have 256MB. That'd be plenty to run Win2K.

Just make sure you update to the latest BIOS "before" trying to install W2K on an old beast computer like that.

 

[JC]

One brand, at least, was called a 'SIMMsaver'. Got one right here! This particular one lets you use 4x 30-pin in one 72-pin slot.

 

[Whitedog]

That just basically does what a 72pin SIMM to DIMM adapter would do.

Those 30pin adapters work because it takes 4x8bit SIMMS to make up a 32bit SIMM (72pin)

Please tell us you're NOT actually using it!

 

[sirfergy]

I used those in my 486 DX4-100!