Memory question

[Erik Hegeman]

Hi,

I have a computer with an Asus A7N8X Deluxe rev 1.04 mainboard. It currently
has one double-sided 512MB PC2700 DDR DIMM and an Athlon XP2600+ processor.
The FSB and memory both run at 333MHz. Since this computer often running
quite a lot of software (simultaneously) I would like to increase the amount
of RAM to 1024MB by adding another 512MB module (which also should enable
dual-channel mode). I have a few questions about the module I need...

Since PC3200 seems to be cheaper than PC2700, I guess I can just but PC3200
and run it at a lower frequence (333 MHz)? Asus' website has a 'memory QVL
table' ( http://usa.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=A7N8X Deluxe&langs=09 at the
bottom), do I need to buy a module that's on that list, and does it have to
be a double-sided module?

Thanks,
Erik

 

[Mike Walsh]

PC3200 memory will work. It does not have to be a double sided module, but a single sided module might not work because it has higher density chips that your motherboard does not support. A double sided (or single sided) module with eight 64 MB chips might work and a single sided module with four 128 MB chips might not work.

 

[Erik Hegeman]

Thanks for your reply,

the motherboard manual states that it supports 1 GB modules, so I think it
will probably support single sided 512MB modules. I think I'm going to give
it a try later this week

Erik

 

[Erik Hegeman]

Update:

I installed the extra 512MB module thursday. It worked right away in dual
channel mode. Huge performance increase

But this morning the system appeared to have locked up (no screen output)
and also wouldn't reboot (drives and fans spinned up, no image, no beeps). I
took out the new module, removed a piece of dust that apparantly had fallen
into the memory slot before I inserted the module, re-insterted it and it
booted up again. I had to reconfigure the BIOS though, which had reset
itself. When I closed the system case the monitor suddenly displayed
"Hardware malfunction - system halted", but this may have been caused by me
fiddling with wires to fit them in the case before closing it. The system
seems to be working now, but I'll keep an eye on it.

Erik

Thanks for your reply,

the motherboard manual states that it supports 1 GB modules, so I think it
will probably support single sided 512MB modules. I think I'm going to
give it a try later this week

Erik

 

[Erik Hegeman]

Update:

I installed the extra 512MB module thursday. It worked right away in dual
channel mode. Huge performance increase

But this morning the system appeared to have locked up (no screen output)
and also wouldn't reboot (drives and fans spinned up, no image, no beeps). I
took out the new module, removed a piece of dust that apparantly had fallen
into the memory slot before I inserted the module, re-insterted it and it
booted up again. I had to reconfigure the BIOS though, which had reset
itself. When I closed the system case the monitor suddenly displayed
"Hardware malfunction - system halted", but this may have been caused by me
fiddling with wires to fit them in the case before closing it. The system
seems to be working now, but I'll keep an eye on it.

Erik

Thanks for your reply,

the motherboard manual states that it supports 1 GB modules, so I think it
will probably support single sided 512MB modules. I think I'm going to
give it a try later this week

Erik