Replies to post #14661 on Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[Jules2]

"Posted by: j3pflynn
In reply to: sgolds who wrote msg# 14653 Date:10/5/2003 9:17:57 PM
Post #of 14667

sgolds,CJ,gollem - re: dual channel. I've been scouring trying to find definitive word on this, and it's a little hard to get. But here goes with what I've found. Yes, you can use 3 DIMMs and still get dual-channel, as I remembered - with these limitations:

1)The 2 channels must be balanced as far as their total memory sizes(e.g. 2 256MB in the one channel with 2 DIMMS, and 1 512MB in the single DIMM channel), and they should be of similar, preferably identical design(other than the size).
2) The total number of banks must not exceed six.

I have read a number of posts from guys at nforcershq that verify this. Info from a number of other sources could be interpreted either way (Anand, digit-life, etc.). I'm satisfied with the guys who are looking at their boot screens and know what they have in their systems. It does tell me that if I want to upgrade, I'll be getting a 512MB Corsair 3200LL module and putting it in the lone DIMM channel.
Paul"

On the 3 dimm nforce.
Dimm 2 -3 OK. Correct!
Dimm 1 -3 ok. Allso possible and ok.
dimm 1 -2 No good. Wrong.

I'v set up a slew of these nforce mobo's and I know that some of the manuals are not too clear. The above works.
Yes you need two dimms of the same size. I'v never mixed manufactorers/speeds dimms yet so i dont know about any bad experiances one may have in that regard.

Best

Jules

[Jules2]

"Posted by: j3pflynn
In reply to: sgolds who wrote msg# 14653 Date:10/5/2003 9:17:57 PM
Post #of 14668

sgolds,CJ,gollem - re: dual channel. I've been scouring trying to find definitive word on this, and it's a little hard to get. But here goes with what I've found. Yes, you can use 3 DIMMs and still get dual-channel, as I remembered - with these limitations:

1)The 2 channels must be balanced as far as their total memory sizes(e.g. 2 256MB in the one channel with 2 DIMMS, and 1 512MB in the single DIMM channel), and they should be of similar, preferably identical design(other than the size).
2) The total number of banks must not exceed six.

I have read a number of posts from guys at nforcershq that verify this. Info from a number of other sources could be interpreted either way (Anand, digit-life, etc.). I'm satisfied with the guys who are looking at their boot screens and know what they have in their systems. It does tell me that if I want to upgrade, I'll be getting a 512MB Corsair 3200LL module and putting it in the lone DIMM channel.
Paul"

Just thought of something. Different color/different channel.
Dims 1 and 2 are the same coler. therefore both are on the same channel. If you want to use all 3 dims it seems logical to me you would insert a (for example) a 512 in dimm 1 = 512. then insert two dims in dimm slot 2 and 3 made up of 2x256 = 512. this would satisfy the ballancing requirement. You would end up with 512 1st. channel and 512 on 2nd. channel.

Corrections welcome, never tried it.

Jules