For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

[GreatWhiteShark]

This is a "posible" explanation of why you "may" be getting issues if your PC has 4 sticks of RAM in it and why I have said in the past a single stick or a "matched pair" of RAM is the way to go. Plz look at the answer.

Question from snagy....
"I currently have the TWINXP1024-3200XL (2x512) in my system and would like to add another 1gig. My question is do I have to purchase another identical set of the above mentioned or is there other options availavle to me?

I saw in the pdf file that Corsair shows my setup with the addition of 2 other memory chips installed. There is no need for an additional pair of LED's, I just need the modules. Thanks".

Answer from RAM GUY Corsairs Number 1 forum Guru
You could add a pair of Twinx1024-3200XL Modules, but I would not suggest it for few reasons.
1. With 4 modules you may be limited to DDR333 and you will have to relax the timings to make your system stable.
2. There is more loading on the memory controller and with 4 modules you would need to figure about 48 Watts just for memory so you may need to have a bigger PSU.
3. We have never suggested using 4 modules in any system especially if you are over clocking. Many MB's just will not perform well when you have the fully loaded.
4. That picture was just an example to show the size of the modules not to suggest you should run 4 modules.

Source ....... http://www.houseofhelp.com/v3/showthread.php?t=42619

Sharky

[imported_idash]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

Thanks for the link and the info!

[Dethred]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

So I am guessing adding 2x256 to my 2x1GB DDR400 will be a bad idea on my upcoming Motherboard?:laugh:

[Talus]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

I'm gonna 'stick' with my 4 sticks for now. I don't overclock and I don't plan on it.

[Gunny Highway]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

The 333MHz issue is on pre- Venice and San Diego core AMD 64.
Furthermore 4 sticks in a AMD 64 system would force you to use the Command Per Clock (CPC) aka Command Rate to 2T where you would shoot for 1T as it is faster.

Personally I didn't even consider using my old 2x256 Kingston HyperX RAM in my new AMD system, I just bought the 2x1GB OCZ 2-3-2-5, so I didn't run intro problems with command rate, and so I would be sure that timings and speed of my RAM was only up these on pair of sticks.

I think it is commen to just buy extra RAM but ppl are not aware of the issues when upgrading. I personally buy big, so I don't have to worry about upgrades, and when it is time for a new PC I buy new system, and use only components if I'm sure they are up to speed.

[$G-MONEY SMITH$]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

So you are saying my 4 sticks of identical kingston ram with both in dual channel is bad?

[Noni]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

i thought only 2 sticks can be put in dual channel?

[Nitemare]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

No, as an example, take my motherboard. It has DIMM slots like this

Green|Purple|Green|Purple

You can put identicals in the green, and then identicals in the purple.

[Gunny Highway]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

So you are saying my 4 sticks of identical kingston ram with both in dual channel is bad?

It is not bad, it is just not as good as 2 sticks that equal the same amount of RAM total. Try doing a search for command rate or 1T or 2T and you probably find more tech info on it.

If one is looking to OC or run with optimal timings, 2 sticks are always prefered. Plus if running pre Venice and San Diego cores you'll be running 333 instead of 400MHz, as mentioned in GWS top post.

[$G-MONEY SMITH$]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

My memory is running at 209mhz and timings are 2.5-3-3-7 wich is not bad.
There are to sets of dual channel. I see what you are saying but im not going to go out and buy 2, 1 gig sticks because its not realy worth it. I realy need to upgrade my HD and get a new monitor.

[GreatWhiteShark]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

I hope this sort of clears things up for peeps that have 4 sticks and are having issues. I'm just trying to make peeps more aware of how well there rig may be working (or not) with 4 sticks and the extra load it puts on there rig.
I have noticed more and more people recently saying "I'm going to put another 1G of ram to add to my x2 512" etc, all kinds of mix matches which is false economy.

I'm trying to save peeps $ £ in the long run.

Yes, your RAM is a very important piece of Kit again I akin it to the cat and dog theory where you would not put a cat and dog in the same box would you?

[agentbad]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

well on an intel system that is hog wash. 4x512 of the same ram ie. ocz el platinum rev2 in my case, works just fine and ive overclocked the bejesus out them too. the real issue is with the a64 chips onboard memory controller which wasn't designed very well for handling more than 2 dimm slots. it is recommended to get 2x1gb sticks for an a64 but it is still possible to run 4x512 it will just be hard to get everything working the way you want it.

another problem with running 4 modules is cometimes the same ram may run different ICs. the old ocz el pl rev2 runs TCCD ICs but the new ones run TCC5. this would give you all kinds of problems which i just learned the hard way trying to match corsair TCCD with the ocz TCCD. come to find out one was actually TCC5 and the whole time i thought my vid card memory was defective.

agentbad

[Akuma]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

Same here ..4 sticks of 512 PC3200...works awsome.
And even better when i overclock. u just have to adjust your timings properly to find the sweet spot.

But YES ...if your ganna do it you myt ass weill make sure its all the same type.
And man I DO MEAN THE SAME TYPE.

[agentbad]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

2.5-3-3-7 @260FSB is indeed the "sweet spot."

[neo265]

Re: For those of You with 4 sticks of RAM Look

This thread has just given me something to think about.

Ive been having big problems with my new Rig (see Sig). The problem is that BF2 and even the Doom3 Timedemo would randomly freeze and I would have to reset. I have tried all sorts of things one being removing 2 of the 512 Modules, I didnt see it crash once then but I put that down to my PSU not having enough power. But after replacing that with an Antec Truepower 480 the same issue still exists. I have run Memtest for 7 hours without a single error with all 4 sticks in which I find odd. I just thought in the end its a fault with the motherboard and Im about to RMA it. But now it could be the 4 sticks of ram.

Mobo is a Gigabyte GA-K8NS Pro-939 which is an Nforce 3 Chipset. Latest BIOS.
Ram is 4 x Crucial PC3200 3-3-3-8 running at stock.

Any more ideas????