Help! I already ordered the RAM Was it right?

[Johanna]

Seems there was some confusion regarding compatibility of DDR RAM for
Asrock.... I didn't wait to check all the responses. I don't know who
is right.

I found a seller for the hard drive and the RAM that I thought I should
have...
So I placed the order!
If it's wrong, perhaps I can contact them and cancel before they ship.
Should I cancel?

The RAM I ordered for the
====Asrock 939 Dual Sata2 ========mobo is this:

1GB OCZ DDR400
Original Branded Memory
PC3200
Timings: 3-4-4-8
Manufacturer - OCZ
Type - DDR
Capacity - 1GB
Speed - 400MHz
ECC - NO
Registered - NO
Warranty - 1 Years Return To Base
http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=7137&category_id=107


The mobo manual says this:
------------
Memory: 4 x DDR DIMM Slots:
4 DIMMs support PC3200 (DDR 400) / PC2700 (DDR 333) /
PC2100 (DDR 266), Max. 4GB
Dual Channel Memory Technology support (see CAUTION 2)

2. This motherboard supports Dual Channel Memory Technology. Before you
implement Dual Channel Memory Technology, make sure to read the
installation guide of memory modules on page 12 for proper installation.
---------------

 

[SteveH]

Seems there was some confusion regarding compatibility of DDR RAM for
Asrock.... I didn't wait to check all the responses. I don't know who is
right.

I found a seller for the hard drive and the RAM that I thought I should
have...
So I placed the order!
If it's wrong, perhaps I can contact them and cancel before they ship.
Should I cancel?

The RAM I ordered for the
====Asrock 939 Dual Sata2 ========mobo is this:

1GB OCZ DDR400
Original Branded Memory
PC3200
Timings: 3-4-4-8 Manufacturer - OCZ Type - DDR Capacity - 1GB Speed -
400MHz ECC - NO Registered - NO Warranty - 1 Years Return To Base
http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=7137&category_id=107

That memory should be fine.
If you're ever in doubt about what memory to buy though, buy Crucial and use
the wizard on their website to make sure you get the right stuff.

SteveH

 

[Johanna]

Thanks Steve! That's a relief
(Normally I'd go for something more high-end,but I am on a budget!! I'll
remember about Crucial though)
Jo

 

[Paul]

Thanks Steve! That's a relief
(Normally I'd go for something more high-end,but I am on a budget!! I'll
remember about Crucial though)
Jo

If the board is dual channel, then 2x512MB DDR would be another
way to populate the board. You get a bit more memory bandwidth
that way. And by buying a matched set, you are saving someone
the future challenge of matching your 1GB stick with another.

The risk with 1GB DIMMs, is there are two ways to make them,
and the more expensive modules are the ones with the proper
construction (64Mx8 chips). Notice the details and warning
in this advert - the product in the center and the left hand
side are OK, the one on the right is not. Some Ebay sellers
sell stuff like the product in the right hand column, and
the chip type is not something that is typically shown in
an advert. Buying 512MB DIMMs is safer in this regard, as
I've not heard of any x4 chips being used on 512MB DIMMs.

http://www.portatech.com/catalog/memory.asp?ID=285

I'd guess that OCZ doesn't use 128Mx4 chips to make stuff,
but have no way to verify that for you in this case. They
don't have spec sheets as such.

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr_pc_3200_value_series

OCZ does occasionally mention the chip type used:

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr_pc_3200_server_series

Paul

 

[Paul]

If the board is dual channel, then 2x512MB DDR would be another
way to populate the board. You get a bit more memory bandwidth
that way. And by buying a matched set, you are saving someone
the future challenge of matching your 1GB stick with another.

The risk with 1GB DIMMs, is there are two ways to make them,
and the more expensive modules are the ones with the proper
construction (64Mx8 chips). Notice the details and warning
in this advert - the product in the center and the left hand
side are OK, the one on the right is not. Some Ebay sellers
sell stuff like the product in the right hand column, and
the chip type is not something that is typically shown in
an advert. Buying 512MB DIMMs is safer in this regard, as
I've not heard of any x4 chips being used on 512MB DIMMs.

http://www.portatech.com/catalog/memory.asp?ID=285

I'd guess that OCZ doesn't use 128Mx4 chips to make stuff,
but have no way to verify that for you in this case. They
don't have spec sheets as such.

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr_pc_3200_value_series

OCZ does occasionally mention the chip type used:

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr_pc_3200_server_series

Paul

I didn't see the other thread before answering this question.
Are you planning on using 2x512 + 1x1GB or what ? Now I'm
confused. The best memory config for a S939 board, is
2xN, as you stand the best chance of running DDR400 and
Command Rate 1T. Using four sticks generally requires setting
the BIOS to a slower setting, due to memory bus loading.
A Rev.E processor or later, can run in virtual single channel
mode, and three sticks of RAM would run in that mode as
far as I know. (PDF page 195 here)

http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/26094.pdf

"For Revision E and later revisions the Mod64BitMux bit
(Function 2: Offset 90h bit 6), can be used to configure the
128-bit interface as two 64-bit interfaces for 939 packages.
This mode allows mismatched DIMMs to be installed in the upper
and lower DIMM slots without reducing any of the DRAM capacity.
When operating in this mode the DRAM interface never operates
as a 128-bit interface and the two 64-bit interfaces are not
accessed simultaneously."

Since you have the 2x512MB modules, you can benchmark both
a dual channel configuration (like slot a1 & b1) or a single
channel configuration (a1 & a2) and compare the results. And
then see whether it would be best to find a mate for your new
1GB module and run 2x1GB in dual channel mode. Or run with
the three sticks in a virtual single channel mode.

S939 processors prior to Revision E, won't POST with three
sticks present, since only true dual channel mode was supported
back then.

Paul

 

[Johanna]

Continuation of this thread: "Re: Help! I already ordered the RAM Was
it right?"
-----------------------
Oh! Can't believe I didn't spot that!
The one I bought is 1x1GB not 2x512. I see what you mean. This is not
so good.......

(Don't worry, I didn't buy on eBay - too many crooks for my taste
there..... I bought here (spec for the RAM)
http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=7137&category_id=107

I was totally focused on getting all the other details right, and I
suppose I jumped to the conclusion that all 1GB configurations were sold
as a pairs of 512 mbs.

I have a vague understanding about what you are talking about, e.g. that
I have to fill up two nearby slots with identical RAM in order to take
advantage of Dual Channel. Not sure exactly what the advantages are, and
how it works.

This would mean that I would have rather idiotic setup if I installed
this new RAM, namely:
1x 1 GB OCZ
1x 512 Mb Samsung
1x 512 Mb [unknown brand that I bought at PC World]

So the Machine would have a luxurious 2MB of RAM, but in the worst
possible combination!

What are your thoughts about this? Would I still see a benefit when
working in memory-hungry apps?

Also, I was considering taking one of the 512MB slots and put back in my
retired Shuttle, which I am refurbishing for my Grandmother. (as an
offline audio book reader and occasional 'type-writer'!)

If I did that, I'd have 1.5 GB using 2 slots....

Maybe the only sensible choice is to order another identical 1GB OCZ
and get up to 2GB in that way.
But I wasn't going to spend much on this....!! Sigh!
Jo

 

[VanShania]

You won't be able to run in Dual channel mode with odd memory banks. Might
want to put it in your old computer for friends/family and get Daul channel
memory if your motherboard supports it.

--
Love and Teach, Not Yell and Beat
Stop Violence and Child Abuse.
No such thing as Bad Kids. Only Bad Parents.
Friends don't turn friends on to drugs.
The path often thought about and sometimes chosen by abused children as
adults is Suicide. Be a real friend.

A64 3500+, Gigabyte GA-K8NSC-939,AIW 9800 128mb
MSI 550 Pro, X-Fi, Pioneer 110D, 111D
Antec 550 watt,Thermaltake Lanfire,2 Gb Dual Channel OCZ
2XSATA 320gb Raid Edition, PATA 120Gb
XPMCE2005, 19in Viewsonic,BenchMark 2001 SE- 19074
Games I'm Playing- Falcon 4, SP:WAW

Continuation of this thread: "Re: Help! I already ordered the RAM Was it
right?"
-----------------------
Oh! Can't believe I didn't spot that!
The one I bought is 1x1GB not 2x512. I see what you mean. This is not
so good.......

(Don't worry, I didn't buy on eBay - too many crooks for my taste
there..... I bought here (spec for the RAM)
http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=7137&category_id=107

I was totally focused on getting all the other details right, and I
suppose I jumped to the conclusion that all 1GB configurations were sold
as a pairs of 512 mbs.

I have a vague understanding about what you are talking about, e.g. that I
have to fill up two nearby slots with identical RAM in order to take
advantage of Dual Channel. Not sure exactly what the advantages are, and
how it works.

This would mean that I would have rather idiotic setup if I installed this
new RAM, namely:
1x 1 GB OCZ
1x 512 Mb Samsung
1x 512 Mb [unknown brand that I bought at PC World]

So the Machine would have a luxurious 2MB of RAM, but in the worst
possible combination!

What are your thoughts about this? Would I still see a benefit when
working in memory-hungry apps?

Also, I was considering taking one of the 512MB slots and put back in my
retired Shuttle, which I am refurbishing for my Grandmother. (as an
offline audio book reader and occasional 'type-writer'!)

If I did that, I'd have 1.5 GB using 2 slots....

Maybe the only sensible choice is to order another identical 1GB OCZ and
get up to 2GB in that way.
But I wasn't going to spend much on this....!! Sigh!
Jo

I didn't see the other thread before answering this question.
Are you planning on using 2x512 + 1x1GB or what ? Now I'm
confused. The best memory config for a S939 board, is 2xN, as you stand
the best chance of running DDR400 and
Command Rate 1T. Using four sticks generally requires setting
the BIOS to a slower setting, due to memory bus loading. A Rev.E
processor or later, can run in virtual single channel
mode, and three sticks of RAM would run in that mode as
far as I know. (PDF page 195 here)

http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/26094.pdf

"For Revision E and later revisions the Mod64BitMux bit (Function 2:
Offset 90h bit 6), can be used to configure the
128-bit interface as two 64-bit interfaces for 939 packages.
This mode allows mismatched DIMMs to be installed in the upper
and lower DIMM slots without reducing any of the DRAM capacity.
When operating in this mode the DRAM interface never operates
as a 128-bit interface and the two 64-bit interfaces are not accessed
simultaneously."

Since you have the 2x512MB modules, you can benchmark both
a dual channel configuration (like slot a1 & b1) or a single
channel configuration (a1 & a2) and compare the results. And
then see whether it would be best to find a mate for your new
1GB module and run 2x1GB in dual channel mode. Or run with
the three sticks in a virtual single channel mode.

S939 processors prior to Revision E, won't POST with three
sticks present, since only true dual channel mode was supported
back then.

Paul