Will we see SDR/DDR SDRAM hybrid motherboards?

[JellyBaby]

I understand DDR SDRAM will use a new dimm layout (184 pin?). Current SDR SDRAM uses 168 pins. Upcoming DDR chipsets are supposedly compatible with both dimm layouts. So I was wondering if there's a chance we'll see both interfaces supported on a single motherboard. Such a product would mean current and near-term purchases in SDR SDRAM won't be in vain. Historically, hybrid boards have offered decent stability but less performance but I'd consider one...any technical reason one couldn't be made?

 

[hans007]

yeah i'd really be interested in this as well, as i dont wanna blow $500 all at once on memory and the board. I'd be happy with 1 dimm slot and the normal alotment of ddr slots

 

[Soccerman]

well when we saw ALi's DDR athlon chipset specs, it mentions both DDR and SD RAM support, so I wouldn't be surprised (I don't think they would Lie about that). we will see..

 

[Rand]

I'm pretty sure you will see at least a few boards with two 184pin DIMM slots and 2 regular 168pin DIMM slots.

 

[XMan]

I think Rand is probably right.

They will more than likely attempt to bridge the memory gap, as was done with EDO/SDRAM and 30/72 pin memories.

 

[Rand]

I'm pretty sure you will see at least a few boards with two 184pin DIMM slots and 2 regular 168pin DIMM slots.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Whoa a double post 2 minutes apart?

 

[XMan]

Now that's what I'd call a slow-ass connection!

 

[bigshooter]

But can you use the two togehter? Probably not, why would you buy a brand new motherboard and then stick old memory in it? Why not just wait until you can afford new memory and a new mobo at the same time?

 

[NFS4]

Yes you will!!!

Chaintech 6VJD2

6 PCI
1 AGP
2 168-pin SDRAM sockets
2 184-pin DDR SDRAM sockets

 

[JellyBaby]

Thanks for that link NFS4! I wonder how that board's performance will compare to a purebred DDR SDRAM model?

 

[imhotepmp]

oops, nevermind...


meanwhile, would there be a "MTH" for the DDR then?

 

[JellyBaby]

<< would there be a &quot;MTH&quot; for the DDR then? >>

Nope, signaling should be the same. Beauty, eh?

 

[Soccerman]

yeah it's still a 64 bit bus, the only difference is in the amount of data per clock.

with the i820 mobo, the RAMBUS bus is only 16 bit, and SDRAM of course is 64 bit. however it (the DRDRAM bus) runs fast, so what happens is you need a buffer of some sort to allow for the data to go through the pipe properly. this whole translating device (the MTH) is what incurs a huge hit in performance..

 

[Cybordolphin]

I just wish they would hurry up....

 

[cavingjan]

NFS4 Are you sure about the 6 PCI? Look at the picture closer. Looks like 5 at the bottom, an AGP on top and a PCI slot put in backwards and closer to the backedge. What is that slot?

 

[NFS4]

<< NFS4 Are you sure about the 6 PCI? Look at the picture closer. >>


All I did was copy Ace's specs from their page and post it.

 

[Rand]

Hmm... I have NO idea what happened before with the double post 2 minutes apart.
Very odd. Never seen that before. lol

Sorry about the double post though... even if I've no idea how it managed to happen like that

 

[Ben]

One slot's flipped over. Is that for 66Mhz PCI?