Angstromm Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 I’m building a platform based on an Athlon 64 x2 4800 CPU and an Asus A8N-SLI Premium mobo. I want to run a pair of paired sticks, totaling 4GB, but have a concern: the manual for my mobo says, under the “DDR400 Qualified Vendors List,” that yr TWINX2048-3200C2 won’t support 4 modules (pages 2-12 and 2-13 of the user’s manual—see attached). In other words: what sticks would be best to run under this config. Thanks, jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowbeard Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 To my knowledge, there is no RAM being made in 2gb sticks that will run in your system. You would need to run 4 x 1024mb sticks which will cause some performance limitations. Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angstromm Posted November 3, 2005 Author Share Posted November 3, 2005 Thanks for the reply! But: I'm not looking for 2mb sticks, but for paired 1gb sticks (4 of em, or, to quote myself, "a pair of paired sticks")...like the TWINX2048-3200C2 I mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJLeong65 Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Thanks for the reply! But: I'm not looking for 2mb sticks, but for paired 1gb sticks (4 of em, or, to quote myself, "a pair of paired sticks")...like the TWINX2048-3200C2 I mentioned. Unfortunately, that's a limitation of your processor's integrated memory controller. The list on that owners manual of yours assumes a memory clockspeed of 200MHz (DDR400). The TWINX2048-3200C2 memory will not run at DDR400 speed with all four memory slots filled - every single 1GB module that I've ever seen are all double-sided. Instead, the maximum clockspeed that two pairs of TWINX2048-3200C2 memory will run at will be 166MHz (DDR333). So, for all practical purposes, you cannot run a total of more than 2GB of memory at DDR400 speed on your motherboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angstromm Posted November 3, 2005 Author Share Posted November 3, 2005 Sorry for being thick, but I don't fully understand. You say "that's a limitation of your processor's integrated memory controller." I have to assume that your "that" refers to my question about the TWINX2048-3200C2 and whether or not it's suitable in the 4GB config. If so, then your statement makes no sense since Asus OK's some memory modules in that config. All I really want to know is: will the TWINX2048-3200C2 work on this board in a 4GB config.? I understand that I will most likely have to loosen timings and clock down the sticks. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJLeong65 Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Sorry for being thick, but I don't fully understand. You say "that's a limitation of your processor's integrated memory controller." I have to assume that your "that" refers to my question about the TWINX2048-3200C2 and whether or not it's suitable in the 4GB config. If so, then your statement makes no sense since Asus OK's some memory modules in that config. All I really want to know is: will the TWINX2048-3200C2 work on this board in a 4GB config.? I understand that I will most likely have to loosen timings and clock down the sticks. Thanks Actually, the four sticks will be automatically clocked downwards by default. Also, according to that Asus manual, not all double-sided modules will clock themselves downwards or max out at a lower clockspeed with all four slots filled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angstromm Posted November 3, 2005 Author Share Posted November 3, 2005 Thanks for the info. I'm still wondering about whether or not the TWINX2048-3200C2 will work in two pairs or if there is another Corsair solution, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowbeard Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Along with the downclock, I think you will be forced to run at a 2T command rate. Do you really "NEED" 4gb of RAM? 2gb of LL type RAM with good latencies and a mild OC would be very fast and practical. Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJLeong65 Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Along with the downclock, I think you will be forced to run at a 2T command rate. That's true if you want a system that's maxed-out in memory to run stable. However, the default command rate for this particular memory is 2T anyway, even with just a single module installed in single-channel mode. (The motherboard's BIOS will detect the SPD on that particular CMX1024-3200C2 module as CAS 3-3-3-8 and 2T @ DDR400.) If that memory is forced down to DDR333, then the SPD-detected timings will change to CAS 2.5-3-3-7 and 2T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angstromm Posted November 3, 2005 Author Share Posted November 3, 2005 Well, you make a good point. I do some fairly massive mulitasking, though--video editing, photoshoping, audio editing, play music, downloading, etc., all concurrently--and had the thought that more RAM wedded to a dual-core processor would = better/faster/smoother work; a notion I thought would be fun to try out. But I know that the cost in clocking down my memory might offset any advantage the extra headroom (4GB vs. 2GB) might entail. Thanks again for you input--very much appreciated! Angst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJLeong65 Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Well, you make a good point. I do some fairly massive mulitasking, though--video editing, photoshoping, audio editing, play music, downloading, etc., all concurrently--and had the thought that more RAM wedded to a dual-core processor would = better/faster/smoother work; a notion I thought would be fun to try out. But I know that the cost in clocking down my memory might offset any advantage the extra headroom (4GB vs. 2GB) might entail. Thanks again for you input--very much appreciated! And 4GB is right at the limit of maximum memory support of the 32-bit versions of Windows XP. But that assumes that the memory address near the 4GB range is used by the PCI addresses; thus, you will actually have significantly less than 4GB available to WinXP32 and its programs and apps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowbeard Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Up to a point you are correct, more RAM is better. However, when you meet a chipset limitation and the RAM runs slower, you have to decide on a middle ground or a compromise. IMO, 2gb of fast low latency RAM using 2 x 1024mb sticks is the best overall solution. You can run better latencies, faster bus speed, and 1T command rate. If you play games at all, I would suggest the 2gb kit of TwinX PC3500LL. However, if gaming and very low latencies are not a concern, for your other listed tasks the 2048mb TwinX kit of PC3200C2 is very good. All in all, 4 stick4gb will probably not run much, if any, better than 2 sticks/2gb. Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angstromm Posted November 3, 2005 Author Share Posted November 3, 2005 And 4GB is right at the limit of maximum memory support of the 32-bit versions of Windows XP. But that assumes that the memory address near the 4GB range is used by the PCI addresses; thus, you will actually have significantly less than 4GB available to WinXP32 and its programs and apps. I didn't know this. Well, I guess I could just use one pair and try adding one more stick (for 3GB) and see if there's any real-world difference. Anyway, thanks for straightening me out--not to mention saving me some cash! j Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angstromm Posted November 3, 2005 Author Share Posted November 3, 2005 Up to a point you are correct, more RAM is better. However, when you meet a chipset limitation and the RAM runs slower, you have to decide on a middle ground or a compromise. IMO, 2gb of fast low latency RAM using 2 x 1024mb sticks is the best overall solution. You can run better latencies, faster bus speed, and 1T command rate. If you play games at all, I would suggest the 2gb kit of TwinX PC3500LL. However, if gaming and very low latencies are not a concern, for your other listed tasks the 2048mb TwinX kit of PC3200C2 is very good. All in all, 4 stick4gb will probably not run much, if any, better than 2 sticks/2gb. Mike. It's all becomming clearer! :idea: And thanks for the RAM suggestion. My befuddlement runs to gratitude to quasi-clarity . . . Thansk guys for all the help!!! :praise: Angst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowbeard Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 I didn't know this. Well, I guess I could just use one pair and try adding one more stick (for 3GB) and see if there's any real-world difference. j I would not suggest running 3 sticks of RAM with this MOBO. It may not even boot. But, if it does boot it will run in single channel and your memory performance will suffer greatly. Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angstromm Posted November 3, 2005 Author Share Posted November 3, 2005 Gee, can't a guy even have bragging rights these days :[pouts: OK, OK, 2 sticks of matched RAM. 2GB. Sniff. Thanks again... j Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowbeard Posted November 3, 2005 Share Posted November 3, 2005 Gee, can't a guy even have bragging rights these days :[pouts: OK, OK, 2 sticks of matched RAM. 2GB. Sniff. Thanks again... j :p: Build a server with 16gb of RAM:D: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLOTTO Posted November 21, 2005 Share Posted November 21, 2005 Hi, on page 2-13 (see attached file below) at the bottom it states that you can run 2-Corsair XMS TwinX2048-3200C2 or four 1 gig modules. BUT this is not the case as I have been trying to get 4 sticks to run with bios 1009. It will not run with 4 sticks on 1009, only 2 sticks. I tried 2 sticks at a time so all four sticks are good, plus it runs all 4 sticks on bios 1006. I have tried jacking up the volts, 2.8v then 2.85v and still no boot with 4 sticks on bios 1009. By process of elimination, I can only run 2 sticks with timings set to auto,400mhz,3.0,3,3,8,11,16,cpu/12, volts on auto. So what is my problem ? Please advise, thanks ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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