koz2237 Posted August 15, 2004 Share Posted August 15, 2004 I have an HP Pavillion a520N computer. The computer has an A7N8X-LA motherboard.( Apparently this is an a proprietary version of the A7N8X. The computer currently has 512MG's (2x256) of PC2700 @333MHZ installed. I am considering upgrading to 1GB PC3200 @ 400MHZ (2x512) Corsair Value Rate Dual Channel memory. There doesn't seem to be any question about its compatibility with PC3200, but it's not clear whether my system is compatible with dual channel memory. My question is: will installing the dual channell cause any problems if the mobo does not support it? Also, the BIOS on this computer is apparently watered down (for idiots!) and I have no way of compensating for speed and voltage if any corrections are required. I'm wondering if I wouldn't be better off using two 512's instead of the dual channel package. Also, I'm wondering what kind of improvement in performance I might see with this kind of upgrade? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks koz2237 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted August 16, 2004 Corsair Employee Share Posted August 16, 2004 You will need to have matching memory if you plan on running in dual channel and this MB I would have to assume is an IGP version IE integrated Graphics, and if so then it may only support DDR333 as that is a chipset limitation! Not to mention, it will be based on CPU speed as well! If you have a 133/166 FSB CPU DDR333 would be suggested! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koz2237 Posted August 16, 2004 Author Share Posted August 16, 2004 Ramguy, Thanks for your reply. The CPU is AMD 3200 WITH 400mhz FSB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted August 16, 2004 Corsair Employee Share Posted August 16, 2004 Then please check the MB doc's to see if DDR400 is supported and if there are any requirements! Most likely you would need to use an AGP video card! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koz2237 Posted August 17, 2004 Author Share Posted August 17, 2004 RamGuy, The specs say this mobo will support DDR400 but it is not clear whether it will support dual channel. Will the memory work anyhow? Also, as there are no memory settings in my BIOS, am I correct in assuming it should automatically select the appropriate settings? Thanks, koz2237 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted August 17, 2004 Corsair Employee Share Posted August 17, 2004 You should be able to just install them as long as you have a 200 FSB CPU, so yes I would just try them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koz2237 Posted August 19, 2004 Author Share Posted August 19, 2004 I installed the memory on the computer. The BIOS recognizes the 1GB but it reads it as PC2700 instead of PC3200. Also, when I ran a PC Pitstop comparison test, the scores were lower with the new memory. The following is the part # of the memory installed: VSIGBKIT400C3. Here are the test scores for you to compare: [url]http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/Summary.asp?conid=11265541[/url] [url]http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/Summary.asp?conid=11440534[/url] Thanks, koz2237 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted August 19, 2004 Corsair Employee Share Posted August 19, 2004 I am sorry but there is not a lot you can do as they do not provide the options to tweak the bios for best performance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted August 19, 2004 Share Posted August 19, 2004 FYI, those links do not work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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