Speed Vs. More

[tshannon92]

I have a quick question about my RAM. Before Vista 3g of RAM for me was wasted and overkill but now it seems like it might be a good idea.

Currently I have 2g of DDR2 800 Dual channel. I've read that more memory is better than Dual channel but is this true?

When I benchmark using Everest Ultimate it drops my score by half, and I'm not exaggerating its actually half. The one thing I didn't do is 3dmark06 which I may do when I get home but figured since I'm stuck at work Id ask here

I will probably grab another matched gig sometime this week or next or another stick to match this if I can ever get the 32-64 license straight with Microsoft.

 

[Comdrpopnfresh]

Dual-channel isn't necessary= biggest increases will be below 5%, which adding another gig and potentially being able to disable swap would give much more beneficial results. You'll see hits in synthetic benches- but they measure the potential of a system. Realistically, modern processors are not using memory efficiently, because they are. They don't max out bandwidth, so dual channel doesn't help much. Only problem with adding more is that you see diminishing returns. The jump from 256 to 512 is far greater than 23 or 3-4 gigs. Just add more. Unless you're going for 4 gigs and can have both- seems like that'll allow you to sleep better at night.

 

[tshannon92]

Hmm bumping this for some answers hopefully.

I tried to use the 3rd gig and the speeds and timings were all wrong. I attempted to get the timings close to each other but eventually as I got closer it wouldn't boot.

The 3rd gig is a different brand and has different timings. When the 2g set is in they run at 5.5.5.18 and 400mhz.
When I add the 3rd they all drop to 311.9mhz and the timings are screwy also.

Im not sure but I think the problem may be voltage? The 2g set is listed as 1.8 volts and I had to manually set MAXMEMCLK and then set it to 800. This doesn't change when I add the third but it doesn't run at 800.

Thing is that the set by itself is always 1.9! Now Im at work and didn't think to check what the voltage is when all three sticks are in... If it defaults to the 3rd stick voltage that should be 1.8 and then maybe pushing it to 1.9 would get tham all at 400mhz...

Oh and when I first noticed and checked the 2g set voltages I attempted to manually set it to 1.8 and see, but the computer wouldn't boot so this board must need the dimms at 1.9?

I'm really only curious, this isn't a problem I'm just enjoying messing with it. I also guess? that Ill have to be very careful if and when I buy the 2X512 and maybe look for 1.9?

Any thoughts? the board is ECS KA3 MVP and I like it overall.

 

[tshannon92]

Ha I found it. In the smallest of small print on the mobos .pdf, not the manual. This motherboard does not support 3 modules and may or may not boot or may boot but not function correctly! Thats what it was doing.

I knew I wasn't crazy the things it was doing were just too wacky to be par for the course with installing RAM.

In fact I guess since I know I can get about 13 percent outta this 5600 Ill probably lower the RAM to 667 and lower the cmd rate and tighten timings (as per the pdf and timing) and see where I get...

Too bad I'm the only one on this thread... but Ive never liked letting other solve my problems anyway (though as stated it was more of a curiosity).

cyas