eg223 Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Hi, Presently have Twin2x2048 PC2-8500C5 2x1Gb modules (non-dominator series). Looking to add another pair of 2x1Gb, Twin2x2048 PC2-8500C5D (dominators). Would this combination work? Motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-P965 DS4. I don't find any other modules with PC2-8500C5 specs, only dominators. Or can I go for the cheaper PC2-6400C5DHX series? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 It is advised to drop the bandwidth when populating with four DRAM slots. Please research this thread: http://www.houseofhelp.com/v3/showthread.php?t=64360&highlight=Unpredictable+results+QUAD2X4096+Gigabyte+X38-DS5 The issue is the memory controller and a population of all four banks at the full speed of a two bank run. This issue is across the board with both Nvidia and Intel chipset based boards. Keep in mind that often issues arise in the longer term. The issues seldom damage the DRAM. They damage the on motherboard memory controller which has a harder time keeping up with the demands of a four DRAM slot population being run as fast as a two DRAM slot population. Those who want to be secure in their system either purchase a single kit of the DRAM capacity that the four singles have or they move to a higher bandwidth DRAM and drop the bandwidth. I also advise it as I have personally seen the issues that can and often do arise with a four DRAM slot population running at the full speed of a single kit speed. If you intend on running the four sticks at the full speed of a kit, then I would advise you to raise the MCH (Memory Controller Hub / Northbridge) to 1.45v on that motherboard. I would not increase the voltage to the DRAM greater than 2.1v which is the maximum warranted voltage for that DRAM. Also, it is not advised, nor is it supported to populate DRAM slots with different integer versions. In other words, version 1.xxx with 1.xxx, not 1.xxx with 2.xxx. I advise you to sell the 2 X 1024 and run with 2 X 2048. That way you do not have to drop the bandwidth and will not run into the possible myriad of issues that can arise with a four DRAM slot population of ANY DRAM ON ANY BOARD. If your DRAM is Micron based (version 1.xxx) then it will very likely NOT work with any other version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eg223 Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 Is the DRAM version printed outside on the heatsink or only on the chips themselves? edit: is this the version info? XMS8505v1.3? Means I have to find sticks with xxxxxxxv1.x? I'm not sure I want to mess with the MCH settings. So the following config may work? -same ram version -2x1gb PC-8500C5 with 2x1gb PC-8500C5D -underclock them to run at 6400-800mhz Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted October 13, 2008 Corsair Employees Share Posted October 13, 2008 Even if all of the modules are the same version you will still need to adjust the memory Voltage and the NB MCH voltage with 4 modules and with 4 up the next lower speed grade would be suggested. It would be best to replace what you have now with one 4 Gig set of modules and find another use for the modules you have now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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