Question about DDR1 high density compatability

[ZebuluniteV]

I have a MSI K8N Neo4 nForce4 motherboard currently with 1GB of DDR400 memory, and I'm looking at this deal for 2GB link. But from what I've read at the Slickdeals posting where I found this deal link, it seems that this is high-density DDR1 memory, which has compatibility issues with a good amount of motherboards. I looked the board up on MSI's website, but unless I'm missing something they don't shed any light on compatibility Link

Does anyone know whether the memory in question will work with my motherboard? Thanks.

 

[NXIL]

Dear Z,

"MicroX" memory brand? Hmm, never heard of it. May be good, may suck: if your time is worth minimum wage, and I think it is, it's not worth risking getting cheap ass unstable sucky ram.

For a few bucks more, get 2 x 1GB of name brand, guaranteed, quality ram.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...7%2c524%3a7862&bop=And

From Paul, an expert on the Asus Mobo newsgroup:

Currently, 1GB DIMMs come in two types. The (16) * 64Mx8
DIMMs are JEDEC approved, and consist of two banks. There
are also the JEDEC unapproved (16) * 128Mx4 modules. Those
are sold on Ebay, among other places. Since the memory chip
is 4 bits wide, it takes 16 of them to make a 64 bit bank.
Having a single bank of memory straddle the entire DIMM, is
an unusual configuration. And one reason it isn't a healthy
config, is some of the control signals have double the
expected loading.

I think it would be very frustrating to have marginal memory that crapped out on you intermittently, or, crapped out constantly.

And, if there is any question whether or not they will work in your board, chances are they won't work all that great.

HTH

NXIL

 

[ZebuluniteV]

Originally posted by: NXIL
Dear Z,

"MicroX" memory brand? Hmm, never heard of it. May be good, may suck: if your time is worth minimum wage, and I think it is, it's not worth risking getting cheap ass unstable sucky ram.

For a few bucks more, get 2 x 1GB of name brand, guaranteed, quality ram.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...7%2c524%3a7862&bop=And

From Paul, an expert on the Asus Mobo newsgroup:

Currently, 1GB DIMMs come in two types. The (16) * 64Mx8
DIMMs are JEDEC approved, and consist of two banks. There
are also the JEDEC unapproved (16) * 128Mx4 modules. Those
are sold on Ebay, among other places. Since the memory chip
is 4 bits wide, it takes 16 of them to make a 64 bit bank.
Having a single bank of memory straddle the entire DIMM, is
an unusual configuration. And one reason it isn't a healthy
config, is some of the control signals have double the
expected loading.

I think it would be very frustrating to have marginal memory that crapped out on you intermittently, or, crapped out constantly.

And, if there is any question whether or not they will work in your board, chances are they won't work all that great.

HTH

NXIL

Thanks for the links: I thought 2GB of DDR1 would be regularly be around $110 or so. If the MicroX memory was half the price of regular DDR1, I might try it, but for only a $25 or so difference, I'll pass.

Thanks again for your help NXIL!