Strange RAM info reported by Sisoft Sandra.

[lalittle]

I not trying to be too nit-picky here, but I just want to make sure that there isn't a potential issue with some new modules I just got (TW3X4G1333C9DHX G kit - 2GB x 2.)

 

When I look at the info for these modules using the latest version of Sisoft Sandra, it reports this:

 

Bank 0 1GB DIMM DDR3 9-9-9-24 5-33-10-5 2T

Bank 1 1GB DIMM DDR3 9-9-9-24 5-33-10-5 2T

Bank 4 1GB DIMM DDR2 9-9-9-24 5-33-10-5 2T

Bank 5 1GB DIMM DDR2 9-9-9-24 5-33-10-5 2T

 

Note that banks 0 and 1 (slot 1) report "DDR3," but banks 4 and 5 (slot 3) report "DDR2." I am of the impression that this is not possible -- i.e. that you can't run one module at DDR2 and the other at DDR3. Is this correct? Is Sandra simply mis-reporting this info?

 

The reason it struck me is that the previous modules (a 2GB kit of the same Corsair series) said "DDR3" for all 4 banks.

 

Everything seems to be running fine, but I'd like to make sure that there isn't a problem with the second module, and that the memory is running at the correct, optimum speed, but I'm not sure how to confirm this.

 

Thanks,

 

Larry

[Wired]

DDR2 and DDR3 are PHYSICALLY incompatible. You have DDR3, no worries there. Sounds like you have 2 pairs?

[lalittle]

DDR2 and DDR3 are PHYSICALLY incompatible. You have DDR3, no worries there. Sounds like you have 2 pairs?

 

Thanks for the response. So you're saying that you can't put a DDR2 module into a DDR3 slot, correct? Just to clarify, you can't "run" a DDR3 module at "DDR2 speed," right?

 

It's actually just a single pair -- each "slot" is two "banks," so one "module" shows up as "banks 0 and 1" (which is slot 1), and the other module shows up as "banks 4 and 5" (which is slot 3.) Slot 2 would be banks 2 and 3, and slot 4 would be banks 6 and 7.

 

Thanks again,

 

Larry

[Wired]

So you're saying that you can't put a DDR2 module into a DDR3 slot, correct?

Correct, and of course vice versa applies.

 

 

Just to clarify, you can't "run" a DDR3 module at "DDR2 speed," right?

Incorrect. There is no such thing as "DDR2 speed". For example, both DDR2 and DDR3 memory can run at 1066 Mhz.

[lalittle]

Incorrect. There is no such thing as "DDR2 speed". For example, both DDR2 and DDR3 memory can run at 1066 Mhz.

 

I'm not sure how to ask this with the correct terminology, but can a DDR3 module ever "function" as a DDR2 module, or does a DDR3 module, which can only be placed in a DDR3 system, ALWAYS function as a DDR3 module?

 

Thanks again for helping me to understand this,

 

Larry

[RAM GUY]

No DDR2 and DDR3 are not compatible with each other.

[Wired]

I'm not sure how to ask this with the correct terminology, but can a DDR3 module ever "function" as a DDR2 module, or does a DDR3 module, which can only be placed in a DDR3 system, ALWAYS function as a DDR3 module?

Physically different. DDR2 will not fit into a DDR3 slot and vice versa. It's like asking if a car can function as a boat. Sure they do similar things, but it isn't going to happen.

[RAM GUY]

More than likely it is just a bug in the software.

[lalittle]

Thanks guys.

 

Sandra tech support responded saying that it sounded like there was a problem with the way Sandra was reading/getting the info from the module. It still seems weird that the previous two modules were both reported as DDR3, but it appears to be a Sandra bug.

 

Thanks again,

 

Larry