RAM problem

[MML]

Hi guys, bit of a memory problem here - I hope someone might be able to tell me what's wrong. I decided to upgrade from 1 gig to 2 gigs as Battlefield 2 runs like a dog, so I ordered one of these:
http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/MPar...PN=CT12864Z40B
(My motherboard is an Abit AV8 K8T800 Pro.)

So anyway I plugged it into the third slot as the first two contain 2x 512 meg modules. I booted up, only to find Windows was reporting 1.5 gigs of RAM in the system properties! Hmm.
So I tried slotting the modules in various combinations but the same happened each time - 1.5 gigs.
All the sticks are working fine, I slotted them in seperately, one at a time, and everything worked fine so I know there's none faulty.
I was going to attach a complete report of my system's specs in html format if anyone can take a look at it but for some reason I'm not allowed attachments.... I'll post it below.

Now to be honest the last time I looked anywhere near memory upgrades was about 5 years ago, so a lot's probably changed since then. It's not a field I know an awful lot about...
I remember hearing about how some types of RAM have to be installed as a pair, but I'm not sure if that's the case here.

Only good thing is Battlefield 2 runs OK with a gig and a half, but the more memory the merrier, eh?

Here are the (hopefully) relevant details:
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Motherboard:
CPU Type AMD Athlon 64 FX-55, 2656 MHz (13 x 204)
BIOS Type Award (11/08/05)

Motherboard Properties:
Motherboard ID 11/08/2005-K8T800P-8237-6A7L1A19C-26
Motherboard Name Abit AV8/AV8-3rd Eye (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, Gigabit LAN, IEEE-1394)

Chipset Properties:
Motherboard Chipset VIA K8T800Pro, AMD Hammer
Memory Timings 2.5-3-3-7 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Command Rate (CR) 2T

SPD Memory Modules:
DIMM1: Samsung M3 68L6423FTN-CCC 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-3-3-7 @ 166 MHz)

DIMM2: Samsung M3 68L6423FTN-CCC 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-3-3-7 @ 166 MHz)

DIMM3: Samsung M3 68L2923DUN-CCC 1 GB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-3-3-7 @ 166 MHz)








Memory Controller Properties:
Error Detection Method 64-bit ECC
Error Correction None
Supported Memory Interleave 1-Way
Current Memory Interleave 1-Way
Supported Memory Speeds 70ns, 60ns, 50ns
Supported Memory Types SPM, DIMM
Supported Memory Voltages 2.9V
Maximum Memory Module Size 4096 MB
Memory Slots 4











[ Memory Modules / A0 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation A0
Type EDO
Speed 70 ns
Installed Size 512 MB
Enabled Size 512 MB

[ Memory Modules / A1 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation A1
Type EDO
Speed 70 ns
Installed Size Not Installed
Enabled Size Not Installed

[ Memory Modules / A2 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation A2
Type EDO
Speed 70 ns
Installed Size 1024 MB
Enabled Size 1024 MB

[ Memory Modules / A3 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation A3
Type EDO
Speed 70 ns
Installed Size Not Installed
Enabled Size Not Installed

[ Memory Devices / A0 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Size 512 MB
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator A0
Bank Locator Bank0/1
Manufacturer None
Serial Number None
Asset Tag None
Part Number None

[ Memory Devices / A1 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator A1
Bank Locator Bank2/3
Manufacturer None
Serial Number None
Asset Tag None
Part Number None

[ Memory Devices / A2 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Size 1024 MB
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator A2
Bank Locator Bank4/5
Manufacturer None
Serial Number None
Asset Tag None
Part Number None

[ Memory Devices / A3 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator A3
Bank Locator Bank6/7
Manufacturer None
Serial Number None
Asset Tag None
Part Number None

[Hottentot]

Maybe you need to put matched pairs in to get it to work. ie 4 x 512mb would work or 2 x 1GB. Have a look in the manual.

[kalniel]

You may need to play with a few Bios options. Make sure that you've got dual channel turned off if you can. Try turning off bank interweave as well.

[notsobig]

I agree with Hottentot. There are not many 939 motherboards out there that suports 3 ram configration. Check you manual I'm sure there's required info there.

[MML]

Hi folks, thanks for the replies! After googling a bit I think you may be right about needing a matched pair.... I also scanned in the relevant pages of the manual, here they are:

Page 2-3
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4186/page23jv5.jpg

Page 2-4
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7312/page24dn4.jpg

As you can see on page 2-4 there's a note on installing 2 dimms and 4 dimms but no mention of 3.

I'm not 100% clear on how to interpret those tables though, but maybe you guys might know what the story is. I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to RAM unfortunately. (You probably guessed that already!!)

[teachmech]

You have to install dimms in pairs

ie one matching pair in dimm1 and dimm2 and a matching set in dimm3 and dimm4.

So the best way it achieve 2GB is to buy another 1Gb stick to match your first and install the two in dimm1 and dimm2.

This way if you wish you could install the matching 512Mb into dimm3 and 4 then have 3GB of memory.

However this last config will run at 333 instead of 400 as the memory controller on the cpu has difficulty dealing with 4 diims.

Hope this helps.

[MML]

You have to install dimms in pairs

ie one matching pair in dimm1 and dimm2 and a matching set in dimm3 and dimm4.

So the best way it achieve 2GB is to buy another 1Gb stick to match your first and install the two in dimm1 and dimm2.

This way if you wish you could install the matching 512Mb into dimm3 and 4 then have 3GB of memory.

However this last config will run at 333 instead of 400 as the memory controller on the cpu has difficulty dealing with 4 diims.

Hope this helps.

Yep that helps alright

I was hoping that it wouldn't come to having to buy another gig - but if I have to then so be it. I do a lot of CAD too so 3 gigs will do no harm.

A couple of things I was wondering though... what real-world effects will I see if it runs at 333 instead of 400? Is it a matter of a noticeable performance drop or is it not something I would ever notice?

Also, do you think it would be safe enough to order another of that exact same part number from Crucial or get a refund and order a 1 gig x2 kit? I read about buying kits to ensure a perfect match but surely there wouldn't be that much deviation in what is a standard item?

[teachmech]

You probably will not notice the difference between 333 and 400 as everything will be smoother in windows dur to the increased memory. However it will be 2-5% if you were running bench marks. I would take the risk and just order an identical stick it "should be" OK.

[MML]

You probably will not notice the difference between 333 and 400 as everything will be smoother in windows dur to the increased memory. However it will be 2-5% if you were running bench marks. I would take the risk and just order an identical stick it "should be" OK.

Hey, thanks a million Teachmech and all you other guys. I'll get another stick ordered and see how things go. I'll post back with any news.

Not looking forward to the credit card bill next month :-(

[notsobig]

Ram prices are getting higher and higher these days so you've probably made a right descision buying it now. Yeah, I too think another identical ram will fix it.

[MML]

Ram prices are getting higher and higher these days so you've probably made a right descision buying it now. Yeah, I too think another identical ram will fix it.

Just ordered another this afternoon - €15 cheaper! Happy days
Hope to be up and fragging by the end of the week... will let you guys know the results... and thanks again everyone!

[MML]

Well my RAM finally arrived today - another identical 1 gig stick - after plugging it in and hoping for the best, I booted up..... and it worked! Yay! 3 gigs! Battlefield 2 flies like the wind, no stuttering or framerate issues.

I can't thank you guys enough, I'd have been stuck otherwise!

Cheers,
Martin

[teachmech]

Glad it works for you.