Can I use 3 sticks of memory??

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H1081Dan

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According to the tested memory page thats posted in this forum I can use 3 sticks of 256 mb kingston KVR400X64C25/256 modules. I hear on the rumor mill that the athlon 64 can only handle 2 modules at a time. I am looking for a super stable PC so would 3 be a bad idea?
 
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What's funny is that most people who tell you it can't be done have not tried it. Most of the people who say it can't be done are the ones who try a 3x512mb or 2x512mb plus a 256mb stick. Very few do a 3x256 or 512 plus 2x256 setup. My ram is as cheap as it gets being Mushkin Basic.
 
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No, only 2(two) sticks. If three are used for compatible reasons speed is down to 333(2700). The 64-bit concept makes it possible to use more then 4gb memory but AMD specs limits this to two sticks. Only 64-FX mainboards make it possible to use up to 8gb but with the very expensive and rare registered ram. Most common 64 mainboards are limited to maximum 2-3gb for memory. Sample: the new MSI MS-6702 board 2gb. Read the users guide. If a maximum of up to 3gb is allowed, you will face another problem since 1.5gb sticks are not available at the moment. Only 1gb sticks and to my knowledge only Corsair and Twinmos do sell these at a fair price.

Q:What is Mushkin memory? A Norwegian elk brain?

:biggthumbsup:

Gr,
 
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My first note was not very clear :confused2:
There is a difference between the straight 64-bit technology and what AMD does with their processor technology following the 64-bit rules. 64-bit allows up to 8gb, for AMD cpus using 64-fx mainboards. Another story for the Pentium family.
However standard 64 AMD specifications do not allow more then two sticks ddr400, so if 1gb sticks are the maximum available at this moment then 2gb is the maximum usable ddr400 whatever the mainboard tells you.
Only ddr333 is possible with three sticks. On many 754 mainboards are three, memory slots, some only 2(realistic), but only two should be used when ddr400 mem is installed. Sure it works with three mem modules, full memory is available but not at 400 speed. For best sync use the same mem speed as your fsb, Athlon 64 3200 fsb 200 versus memory ddr400(2x200). One can ask what are these exotic overclocked ram speeds for?
Read the AMD tech website. It is common knowledge. Also it is recommended to use the same memory modules sizes so: 2x 1024, 2x 512 or 2x 256, not mixed.

:biggthumbsup:
 
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If your statement is true, then how are we (3x DIMM users) getting >3,000 MB/s in Sandra with their memory bandwidth test? My memory tests show the same bandwidth if I use (1x512MB) or (2x256MB plus 1x512MB).
 
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Hi 3aims,

Bandwidth is not related to the available mb memory. Well, in some way. Only a test for how much data in mb per second can be pushed through your memchips. Your 3000 mb/s sandra test is correct, as 3000-3200 mb/s is about the standard for ddr400 mem modules.

I never received complete accurate information from any of these tuning/information programmes like: Sandra-Aida etc.. Especially diskspeed, memspeed, graphics, installed hardware info. This does not mean they are useless. Know the meaning of what they detect and you are reading.

Still the amd 64 cpu has direct contact to your memory, not like the old(!) fsb, it is a new concept, the well known southbridge on your board has become obsolete in 64-bit technology. Still there, msi still has, but for tiny-minor purposes and not necessary anymore.
Your Sandra will read 3gb but your cpu directs only 2gb and since it is very rare in normal use(also graphics), you will use all your 3gb at once so an error will not occur on your screen.
Please, read the amd information on their website!!! Maybe a good pc magazine, there are some who do not only test hardware but also give usefull information on techinical matters, understandable for everybody with a standard education.
This discussion becomes to complex for a forum.
Go to: www.amd.com/us-en/processors -click...ormation! Happy landing! Gr, :biggthumbsup:
 
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The point made earlier was that 3 sticks would not post at DDR400 speeds, only DDR333 speeds despite what you set in the BIOS. I used my 512MB and 512MB+2x256MB example to show I get the same DDR400 bandwidth with 1 or 3 DIMM slots.
 
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Hi 3aims,

Please, read my edited last post.
Don't worry to much about how many...modules.
Users guides and info from manufacturers websites are good basics how to use their hardware. Always correct, but sometimes interpretation is more difficult. Before you start tweaking and hussle everything, always use the hardware as directed in their guides. Start to inform yourself next and then tweak and do uggly things with the hardware, not the other way around. And maybe you decide, after all this reading, that a so called up-tweak, or whatever, of your hardware is no longer necessary. True!

Gr,
:biggthumbsup:
 
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Dear MG37221,

That's exeactly what it is, ddr400. I read what your system overview writes. No doubt you have ddr400 in your pc. To be precise it is ddr466(overclock mem), correct?
Your problem: Install latest bios V1.2, you have?? Adjust your mem speed in the bios in accordance with your real mem speed(233). Startup indicates ddr466, it should, because it's the real mem speed.
But, your cpu is at the speed of 200 and your mem at 233(theory), waste of money. Not in sync. Buy ddr400!!!, will do very well.
(Note: Change your cpu in bios up to the same clock speed(233) and it will burn in a second and if lucky maybe in two, true! At best, system will start to behave very funny, error reports, closing down, restarts all over. Very nice this overclocking bussiness. Don't!!)
What happens? Memory has to wait, data from cpu to slow(200!) but for long life use as intended by amd..
Using three(3) modules memory amd 64 cpu(auto) at 166 speed, so memory data exchange also at 166(2x). Always use same clock speed cpu and mem, no more then 2 modules, very important. When not it's possible that your total system speed becomes much slower when using this fast memory, opposite cpu and mem in clock sync.

Let's talk simple language: Quote When your 64 cpu and your 3 modules at ddr400 or ddr 466 or whatever, are changing information between each other, it's done at a 333 level Unquote. That is normal 64 amd behaviour. Remember ? Two modules and no more? So slower as with the standard same clock speed for cpu and mem
Difficult? Just accept and do not argue about it.
Make up your mind and decide.

For amd fx-51 other rules are applicable, don't forget when you are reading the docs.

:biggthumbsup:

Gr,
 
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Originally posted by 64 user
Before you start tweaking and hussle everything, always use the hardware as directed in their guides.
Click to expand...

MSI's "guide" states that you can have 3 DIMMS in certain configurations operating at DDR 400. See page 2-11 of the MS-6702 manual.
 
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Yes, correct!
But there is a major difference, MSI is not AMD and the AMD cpu will only allow two modules to run at 400. Consequently, the three will not run at 400. Responsible for this behaviour is the design of the AMD cpu, that's all.
Page 2-11 gives possible combinations of what memory speed and s or d can be used together, not if it's accepted by the cpu for full speed. Don't forget that the user guide is printed before the full specifications of the AMD 64 series where available. Amd decided to limit the mem for their standard 64 cpu's and much later full 8gb mem for their fx-series. Only a few FX-boards are available at the moment and some are revised old dual-cpu opteron boards, only one socket instead of two is used. See MSI K8 Master 1 FAR series.
The only combination for a flawless pc-operation is:
AMD 64 3...cpu and 2x .....ddr400. Same clockspeed(200) so always operating in sync. The most important thing in pc-electronics.

Gr,
:biggthumbsup:
 
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I removed the CoreCell logo and noticed on the reboot that I now get the boot settings which shows DDR400. :hypecrite:
 
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Well, that is very nice.
Core cell is just a small program that gives information on cpu-temp etc..., a chance is possible too.
You have activated cool/quiet in bios under freq/volt control and control panel power options at minimum? Also installed the windows drivers for the cool/quiet function? Then it should do its job!
A logo is just a nice little picture, i don't understand the relation of all this to the memory issue :confused: :confused:

Gr,
:biggthumbsup:
 
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Originally posted by 64 user
A logo is just a nice little picture, i don't understand the relation of all this to the memory issue :confused: :confused:
Click to expand...

3Aims disabled the "Full Screen Logo Show" in the bios so that the post messages would be visible. The significance to memory is that the bios reports the speed at which the memory is operating during post messages. I believe 3Aims is using 3 DIMMs. In spite of this, the bios reports that the memory is operating at DDR 400. 3Aims' benchmarks tests also confirm this speed.

I'm tempted to buy another DIMM myself to confirm whether 3 DIMMs will operate at DDR 400, because those that say it can't be done haven't tried it or showed that it doesn't work in practice.
 
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