peabody1001 Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 I have a Gigabyte Ga-965P-DS3 motherboard with 1GB of TWIN2X1024A-6400 which is a matched pair of 512s. They are set to run in dual channel mode using the matching color sockets. I wanted to add more RAM and was looking at the TWIN2X2048-6400 which is a matched pair of 1GB for an additional 2GBs. The specs (for timings) are the same except I thought the 512s ran at 1T while the 1GBs ran at 2T. Am I correct? If I use them in the other two matching color slots will this mess up the dual channel mode and actually make the machine run slower? If I use all four slots do I need exactly the same RAM in all four? Or will it still use Dual Channel mode if the ones in the same colored slots are identical. Another question: if it will mess up the dual channel mode am I better off removing the 512s and just use the two 1GBs. The reason I ask, with the rebate I can buy 2GB cheaper than I can add another set of the 512s. I need extra memory (I think) because I do a lot of photography with a Nikon D200 at 10 megapixel and I think a bit of extra memory will help. Right now I have Bios set to AUTO since I have no idea how to set the timings for these items manually. Correction: I know where to do it, just don't understand enough about it to change anything. My machine specs, if it helps: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 Motherboard ( capable of 1066/800Mhz FSB.) Corsair TWIN2X1024A-6400 (pc 800) Intel Pentium D 945 Presler 3.4GHz (does not support the 1066 FSB according to specs) GIGABYTE GV-NX76G256D-RH GeForce 7600GS 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 video card Onboard sound Two Western Digital HDs 1 DVD ROM, 1 DVD buner. Hyper 580 watt power supply. Any help greatly appreciated. BTW the rebate ends the 8th, so any info on the RAM I would really appreciate ASAP. Thank you again for any help. Peabody1001 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 I wanted to add more RAM and was looking at the TWIN2X2048-6400 which is a matched pair of 1GB for an additional 2GBs. The specs (for timings) are the same except I thought the 512s ran at 1T while the 1GBs ran at 2T. Am I correct? If I use them in the other two matching color slots will this mess up the dual channel mode and actually make the machine run slower? If I use all four slots do I need exactly the same RAM in all four? Or will it still use Dual Channel mode if the ones in the same colored slots are identical. It's always a dice throw (with both Dual Channel and System Stability) when you populate all four DRAM banks with different sizes. All Intel boards run their command rate at 2T, whether 512, 1GB or 2GB strips. You can try and see if you can make the move. You will very likely have to drop the DRAM throughput from 800Mhz to 667Mhz and raise the MCH (memory controller hub/northbridge) +.05v to find stability. That is if you find stability. Another question: if it will mess up the dual channel mode am I better off removing the 512s and just use the two 1GBs. The reason I ask, with the rebate I can buy 2GB cheaper than I can add another set of the 512s. I need extra memory (I think) because I do a lot of photography with a Nikon D200 at 10 megapixel and I think a bit of extra memory will help. In your situation I would sell the DRAM and purchase 2 X 2048 sticks of 6400C5DHX. You will run at 800Mhz and have no issues. Right now I have Bios set to AUTO since I have no idea how to set the timings for these items manually. Correction: I know where to do it, just don't understand enough about it to change anything. Have you already purchased the DRAM or are you still in the theory and research stage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peabody1001 Posted November 4, 2007 Author Share Posted November 4, 2007 I have only the 1GB at this time, I was going to add 2GB more since it is on sale. Just didn't know all the 'details' about compatability with what I have. TWIN2X2048-6400C5DHX, wouldn't that be the same memory except better cooling? I don't have a heat problem, don't read this wrong, I am not disagreeing ...I just don't understand. Why the 6400C5DHX over the 6400. What does the C5 mean? I am kind of in the research stage, but because of the sale I was going to try to go to 3GB during the sale. But if populating all four slots is a problem, I may not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 In your situation I would sell the DRAM and purchase 2 X 2048 sticks of 6400C5DHX. You will run at 800Mhz and have no issues. TWIN2X2048-6400C5DHX, wouldn't that be the same memory except better cooling? DerekT said 2X2048, which would be a pair of 2 GB sticks, not a pair of 1 GB sticks, as you mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peabody1001 Posted November 4, 2007 Author Share Posted November 4, 2007 Ok, thanks for clearing that up. I was confused because the TWIN2X2048-6400 is two sticks of 1GB for 2GB. So when he wrote 2 X 2048 sticks, I was thinking it was the same, just written different. Got it now. Of course the problem is the cost. The extra 2GB is $50 while the 4GB is $200. I know I get what I pay for but not sure I can afford it right now. Thanks for all the help to all. Peabody Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 I wonder at what programs you use that would actually make use of the extra 2GB. Yes, there are sound editing, graphics editing programs that will make use of the extra 2GB. There are also engineering, astronomical, etc. programs that also would make use of the extra 2GB. However, for gaming and normal average system use, the additional 2GB would seldom be used in a 32bit system. You would not see the entire 4GB in a 32bit system as well, since the 32bit system has a maximum address space of 4GB. This means that all the parts in your computer that have discrete DRAM need some of that 4GB address space and you would end up losing that amount of DRAM in a 4GB 32bit Operating System. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peabody1001 Posted November 5, 2007 Author Share Posted November 5, 2007 Derek, I was only going to add 1GB more, but because of a rebate I can buy 2GB of the same thing for less money. Two sticks of 512 (which would create the all 4 slots populated problem that I didn't know about) is $67. Two sticks of 1024 with the rebate is $46. Just didn't make sense to buy the 1GB. After the problems mentioned here I may just buy the 2GB and if it creates a problem I will take out the two 512s and still end up where I wanted to be in the first place with 2GB but only two slots populated. The reason I wanted to get more is I have a 10 megapixel camera and do nature photos, so I have cataloging software, editing software and sometimes web design software open at the same time and the images are quite large. I have also made slideshows with some images and put them on DVD. So, I thought a bit more memory would help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Yes, a 2GB system will be more responsive for the work you are mentioning, especially versus a 1GB system. I think you would be far better off with 2 X 1024 or even 2 X 2048 than populating all four banks and hope it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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