DDR 400 memory for the A7N8X 2

[Albert Hayward]

The handbook for my A7N8X series 2 mob says "to enhance system performance,
utilize dual-channel feature" for system memory. I assume that this means to
use a pair of DDR DIMM's, say two at 256 MB rather than one at 512 MB.
However, the Asus 'qualified vendor list' seems to suggest single DIMMS of
either 256 MB or 512 MB DDR 400 memory. The latter also specifies the
Corsair CMX 512- 3200C2XMS3202 v1.1 as one such 'approved' memory module,
while the Corsair website actually recommends TWINX512-3200LL for the mob,
but at the same time says that one 512 MB unit will normally be faster than
two 256 MB units. It is all somewhat confusing! Can anyone help please.

My CPU is currently a 2400+ unit, but the memory upgrade is in readiness for
a faster Barton unit.

 

[Ed]

The handbook for my A7N8X series 2 mob says "to enhance system performance,
utilize dual-channel feature" for system memory. I assume that this means to
use a pair of DDR DIMM's, say two at 256 MB rather than one at 512 MB.
However, the Asus 'qualified vendor list' seems to suggest single DIMMS of
either 256 MB or 512 MB DDR 400 memory. The latter also specifies the
Corsair CMX 512- 3200C2XMS3202 v1.1 as one such 'approved' memory module,
while the Corsair website actually recommends TWINX512-3200LL for the mob,
but at the same time says that one 512 MB unit will normally be faster than
two 256 MB units. It is all somewhat confusing! Can anyone help please.

My CPU is currently a 2400+ unit, but the memory upgrade is in readiness for
a faster Barton unit.

FWIW I'm running 3-256MB sticks (from 2 sets of matched pairs) of
Corsair's TWINX512-3200LLPT sticks for over a month now without a
glitch, System is rock solid!

A7N8X non-dlx V2.00 BIOS 1004
Barton 2800+ @ 200 x 11.5, 1.725v
Ram at 100% sync set to 6-3-2-2, 2.6V.
Sandra memory scores - 3069/2885
Currently @ 207x11.5 , scoring 3172/2980. ;p
Ed

 

[Ben Pope]

The handbook for my A7N8X series 2 mob says "to enhance system
performance, utilize dual-channel feature" for system memory. I
assume that this means to use a pair of DDR DIMM's, say two at 256 MB
rather than one at 512 MB. However, the Asus 'qualified vendor list'
seems to suggest single DIMMS of either 256 MB or 512 MB DDR 400
memory. The latter also specifies the Corsair CMX 512- 3200C2XMS3202
v1.1 as one such 'approved' memory module, while the Corsair website
actually recommends TWINX512-3200LL for the mob, but at the same time
says that one 512 MB unit will normally be faster than two 256 MB
units. It is all somewhat confusing! Can anyone help please.

My CPU is currently a 2400+ unit, but the memory upgrade is in
readiness for a faster Barton unit.

You'll get a few percent performance improvement from running a pair in Dual
Channel over using one DIMM. Unless you're using integrated graphics, it's
not gonna make much diffference to you.

The LLs are slightly faster then the C2s. You can get more aggresssive
timings for a given clock.

The reason one chip is "normally" faster then two is because there is
"normally" one address bus per memory bank, which means that it has to
activate two chips simultaneously, doubling the load on the bus and
increasing the time for the bus to change state, but on the nForce there is
one address bus per DIMM slot so this problem is reduced.

Ben