PC 3200 instead of PC 4000?

[redsled]

:confused: I’m really confused about what type of memory to use with my p4c 800 e deluxe MoBo.

When I originally got this board, ASUS recommended pc 4000 memory.

I purchased 2gig of this memory (CMX512-4000PT) at that time and was extremely pleased with the performance.

Recently the mobo Raid controller went out and I sent the board back for repair.

They (the board repair facility) upgraded my bios from 16 to 23. When I got it back the system wouldn’t load and numerous errors occurred that showed a memory problem. To make a LONG story short I reloaded the original bios (16) and all errors were resolved.

In the troubleshooting phase I went to this site and discovered that you advise to use PC 3200 memory. I bought 2 gig of it and it really bogs down under heavy load. (But not with the PC 4000 sticks)

So why do you recommend memory rated at 400 Mhz and not 500?

[RAM GUY]

What are the settings for each part# that you are trying to run them at?

[redsled]

All settings are standard with no overclocking.

[RJLeong65]

In the troubleshooting phase I went to this site and discovered that you advise to use PC 3200 memory. I bought 2 gig of it and it really bogs down under heavy load. (But not with the PC 4000 sticks)

So why do you recommend memory rated at 400 Mhz and not 500?

 

The memory controller is only rated to run at up to PC3200 speed. However, using four double-sided sticks of PC3200 memory will default your memory speed to only PC2700 speed due to the loading on the memory controller. In this case, you will have to manually set the memory speed in the BIOS to DDR400/PC3200.

 

By the way, does your set of PC3200 sticks consist of four 512MB sticks? Or two 1GB sticks?

[redsled]

4 x 512(cmx512-4000pt) vs 2 x 1024 (cmx1024-3200pro)

 

So WHY dioes the mfg recommend pc4000 sticks?

 

I also see that pc4400 sticks were tested by corsair on this same mobo. What settings did they use?

[RAM GUY]

I think you may miss-understand the information that you are looking at!

The configurator lists modules that are compatible and in the case of modules that are PC-3700 and faster that would be in an over clocked setting.

You should ask your self these questions and then depending on the answers will determine which module you may want to use.

1. Are you or do you plan to over clock?

2. If the answer is yes, what is your target over clock?

3. If yes to Q 1-2 have you checked the MB and CPU you plan to use to see what others have been able to OC to like at http://www.overclockers.com?

4. If the answer is no to Q 1-2 what CPU will you use with what MB?

 

 

 

And its best to use 2 modules on any MB for best performance, most MB's will slow the memory down with more than 2 double sided modules installed.

[RJLeong65]

4 x 512(cmx512-4000pt) vs 2 x 1024 (cmx1024-3200pro)

 

Something isn't right with your motherboard, in this case, since you said that two 1GB sticks perform much slower than four 512MB sticks.

 

You also said that you have better luck with the BIOS that originally came installed on your motherboard. Maybe that BIOS version isn't fully compatible with 1GB sticks of memory: It would force extremely loose, fail-safe memory timings and a molasses-slow DDR266/PC2100 speed when you put in a stick larger than 512MB. (By the way, when the Intel 875P chipset came out, the largest-sized unbuffered non-ECC stick of memory which was readily available at the time was 512MB; most 1GB sticks that were then in existence were registered memory, which would not work at all on your motherboard - the 875P supports ECC but not registered memory.)

 

On the other hand, a newer BIOS would improve compatibility with 1GB sticks but sacrifice compatibility with any memory modules above the JEDEC-standard PC3200 speed.