ASUS A8N-SLI Memory Expansion Problem

[csm]

I have a new ASUS A8N-SLI Premium MB with 1 gig (2x512MB 400MHz -
TWINX1024-3200C2PT) of Corsair XMS Platinum series DDR. The memory is
installed in the A-1 & B-1 slots. Everything works OK. However, when I add
a second gig of Corsair non-Platinum series (2x512MB 400MHz -
TWINX1024-3200C2) DDR memory to the A-2 and B-2 slots, the system will not
boot and the screen stays off. I have also paired the Platinum Series
memory to A-1 & A-2 and Non-Platinum series to B-1 & B-2 with no success.

Any ideas?

CM

 

[DebB]

In theory it shouldn't be an issue because the RAM performance usually just
drops back to the slowest of the two sets.

Try the new ram in the PC on it's own. If that works ok, then you might also
be able to swap it over to the other slots to test it out. I say this
without knowing the board config capabilities, but it will only take a
moment for you to test. You must stick to the config arrnagement recommended
in your mobo book. Download it if you haven't already got one.

It's got to be either faulty RAM or slots and you should be able to nut it
out easily enough.

DebB

 

[Steven Liburd]

I have a new ASUS A8N-SLI Premium MB with 1 gig (2x512MB 400MHz -
TWINX1024-3200C2PT) of Corsair XMS Platinum series DDR. The memory is
installed in the A-1 & B-1 slots. Everything works OK. However, when I add
a second gig of Corsair non-Platinum series (2x512MB 400MHz -
TWINX1024-3200C2) DDR memory to the A-2 and B-2 slots, the system will not
boot and the screen stays off. I have also paired the Platinum Series
memory to A-1 & A-2 and Non-Platinum series to B-1 & B-2 with no success.

I am about to purchase this motherboard, so I am interested in hearing
the results of your testing.

==steven

 

[JAD]

This is a common problem, You should be in the ASUS forum on this very
mainboards topic, for the latest info. Lot to do with bios revisions and
brands of memory/timing speeds.

 

[csm]

FOLLOWUP: I purchased an identical 1 gig (2x512MB 400MHz -
TWINX1024-3200C2PT) of Corsair XMS Platinum series DDR memory to match the
previous gig. Same problem. All 4 slots filled with identical DDR memory.
I don't think this Corsair works in 4 strip configuration. I'm going to
take the extra gig back and look for 2 strips of 1 gig each to get to 2
gigs. I'm going to give up on the 4 strip configuration.

ASUS A8N-SLI Premium MB - v1005 BIOS
AMD Athlon 64 3800+
1 Gig Corsair Platinum Series (2x512MB 400MHz - TWINX1024-3200C2PT)
1 Maxtor SATA 250 16meg cache 7200RPM HD
2 Maxtor SATA 120 8meg cache 7200RPM HD (Raid-Striped)
BFG nVidia 6800GT PCIe

CM

 

[csm]

UPDATE: I took back the TWINX1024 and got the TWINX2048 and its working
fine with 2 strips!
Thanks for all the ideas. You all convinced me to save some time and go
with the bigger ram strips.

CM

 

[Steven Liburd]

UPDATE: I took back the TWINX1024 and got the TWINX2048 and its working
fine with 2 strips!
Thanks for all the ideas. You all convinced me to save some time and go
with the bigger ram strips.

From what I've been reading, the issue is that the 512Meg modules are
double sided. Your 1Meg modules are single sided, most likely.

If you populate all 4 memory sockets with 512Meg modules, you can't run
them at 400MHz. Not at 1T, at least. (Not that I'm sure exactly what a
'T' is, mind you...some type of timing delay setting, I suppose). You
have to go to 2T, or run the memory at 333MHz to use 1T. The higher
speed (400MHz) is supposed to be faster, even with 2T.

Can anyone tell me how much the difference between 2T and 1T at 400MHz
can be felt? I have a few 512Meg modules - I need to get an idea as to
whether or not I'm going to want to spend the money on 1G modules to get
to 2G. TIA

==steven