Bob S Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I have a MSI K8T Neo2 that is about 4 years old. It has dual channel capability and is very specific about ram types and placement. When I bought the board I got a twin pack of 1GB (2 pieces of CMX512-3200?PT (xms3202v4,2)(0444087-1) and they were installed in the first two (green) slots. (dual channel?) Wanted to add more ram and purchased another twin pack of VS1GB400C3, (1GB each) also dual channel and wanted to install it for a total of 3GB. After visiting the MSI website and looking up my board I am now confused as to placing and mixing them. Following are notes from MSI about my board" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DIMM Module Combination Install at least one DIMM module on the slots. Each DIMM slot supports up to a maximum size of 1GB. Users can install either single- or double-sided modules to meet their own needs. Please note that each DIMM can work respectively for singlechannel DDR, but there are some rules while using dual-channel DDR (Please refer to the suggested DDR population table below). Users may install memory modules of different type and density on different-channel DDR DIMMs. However, the same type and density memory modules are necessary while using dual-channel DDR, or instability may happen. Please refer to the following table for detailed dual-channel DDR. Other combination not listed below will function as single-channel DDR. MSI Reminds You... • Dual-channel DDR works ONLY in the 3 combinations listed in the table shown in the previous page. • Please select the identical memory modules to install on the dual channel, and DO NOT install three memory modules on three DIMMs, or it may cause some failure. • Always insert the memory modules into the GREEN slots first, and it is strongly recommended not to insert the memory modules into the PURPLE slots while the GREEN slots are left empty. • This mainboard DO NOT support the memory module installed with more than 18 pieces of IC (integrated circuit). • The Maximum memory speed decreases when the following two memory combination is selected: - Each channel is installed with two double-sided memory module - Both DIMM1 and DIMM3 are installed with double-sided memory module • Due to the South Bridge resource deployment, the system density will only be detected up to 3+ GB (not full 4GB) when each DIMM is installed with an 1GB memory module ----------------------------------------- The URL is : http://us.msi.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=K8T_Neo2-FIR In the table (not shown here) it shows 4 sticks of ram can be installed but they are 333 instead of 400. Can you please straighten me out whether this is compatible for mix, and placement and if not, what is compatible. (I can return the ram to NewEgg and change it if necessary. Sorry for the long post and any questions or needed info is needed I will happily provide. Bob S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted May 5, 2009 Corsair Employees Share Posted May 5, 2009 With more than two modules on that MB DDR333 would be required, sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob S Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 OK, I guess I can return the two 1GB pieces I just purchased and give someone the two 512 MB sticks. What particular modules would you recommend for my board to get me 4GB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted May 6, 2009 Corsair Employees Share Posted May 6, 2009 Just get 4-VS1GB400C3 modules and run them at DDR333 at Cad 2.5-3-3-7 at 2.75 Volts and you should be good to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob S Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 >Just get 4-VS1GB400C3 modules and run them at DDR333 at Cad 2.5-3-3-7 at 2.75 >Volts and you should be good to go! OK Thanks for that. But??? I don't understand "Cad2.5-3-3-7" ??? Again, thanks for your guidance. Bob S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthohol Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 he meant Cas 2.5-3-3-7. timings for the ram in the bios for you to set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob S Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 Whoa !!!! Further clarificatrion. Looking at the modules, Isn;t that what I already have in my new purchase? Just get two more sticks of the same ? and change it to run at 333 somehow? Bob S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mistoffeles Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 You could simply stick what you have into the slots and configure the BIOS to run them at 333, if the BIOS you have will allow that. Make sure that the same type of stick goes into the same coloured slots (i.e.: both old in the green and both new in the purple, or vice versa). There is never a problem running memory at a slower speed than it is rated for, as long as the BIOS has that capability (some don't). I have run plenty of PC133 memory at 100MHz, for example, and it works flawlessly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob S Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 Thanks for jumping in on this Mistoffeles, Yes, I have noted what you said to do and I would prefer that. My bios does support that. I am a little ashamed in asking you for a lesson on doing it. I can change the "Memclock" value to DDR333 and the "CAS Latency" to 2 but I don't know what the ramguy means with the rest of the numbers after 2 (-5-3-3-7) The next thing down in the list is "Burst Length" with an 8beat or a 4beat option. Next is "Bank Interleaving" with auto and disabled options, then "Active to CMD" with options of SPD and 2CLK to 6CLK. Then "Active to Precharge" with the same options but up to 15CLK. Then "Precharge to Active" with the same options but only up to 6CLK. Last but not least is "DRAM IT Timing" with options of Enabled and Disabled. There is one more item "High Performance Mode" which I assume should be left at manual and not optimized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted May 8, 2009 Corsair Employees Share Posted May 8, 2009 Just load setup defaults and then set only what I listed Cas 2.5-3-3-7 (Cas, TRCD, TRP, and TRAS) at 2.75 Volts at DDR333. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob S Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 thanks ramguy.....Did just as you said. Turned off the box, put the new two sticks in the purple slots and tried to reboot. Box just beeped at me. Checked that modules were firmly seated, more beeps, changed slots, more beeps, swittched the two greens to the purple and the purple to the green, More beeps. Finally had to pull the two new sticks so I could boot. Guess I am stuck with the original 1GB in this box. Oh well, it's not a horrible disaster. You can bet that the next system I build I will check with you first after I have chosen the MB. Bob S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mistoffeles Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Unfortunately, that's the way it goes sometimes. I would recommend getting familiar with terminology, and reading as much as you can about the latest parts, before going for your next motherboard. This way, you can plan everything ahead before you spend any money. Even when you do this, you can get burned, though. For example, I carefully hand-picked every part for my new box back in Feb/Mar of 2008 so that I wouldn't need to buy anything new for quite some time. Turns out in the end, I should have waited just 1 month longer (but there there is always something else "just about to be released") to get the 790i motherboard instead of the 780i. The 780i has a hard time powering all 4 memory slots, and can't do them at full speed, so to go to 8GB (4x2GB) I have to slow down my RAM and increase the voltage pushed through them. I have seen this reduce the lifespan of RAM sticks, but hopefully with the higher quality of the Corsair parts this will not be an issue. - Misty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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