Asus p5b can handle 8GB of ram max: 2*4 or 4*2?

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hanku

hanku

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Dec 12, 2013
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I want to upgrade my good old Asus p5b system to 8GB of pc-2 6400 DDR2 ram. The motherboard does support this (see link), but I'm wondering since the p5b has 4 ram slots whether I NEED to feed it 4*2GB or that it can handle 2*4GB?

Bit of a n00b question maybe, but I want to be sure before I order something.

Thanks in advance!
 
Solution
spooky2th
Since it doesn't mention one way or the other, my experience is that it is the lesser of only 2GB per slot. I couldn't find out for sure, my self.
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hanku

hanku

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Dec 12, 2013
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Yeah I got that, although it supposedly stresses the chip on the motherboard more than 2*x setups. The 2*4GB set I have my eye on is cheaper than 4*2GB sets so that's also an issue.

Maybe I should rephrase my question: Since the p5b can do 8GB max, can it handle 1*8GB, 2*4GB just as 4*2GB. My underlying 'fear'/assumption being since it has 4 DIMM slots it can only handle 2GB max per slot. Or does it just mean that it can handle 8GB max in whatever combination?

Got the 64bit OS covered, thanks anyway for pointing it out. :)
 
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hanku

hanku

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Dec 12, 2013
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Thanks spooky. If no one comes up with a definitive yes shortly I'll go with your 4*2GB solution.

About that: should I buy a 4*2GB set or can I also buy 4GB (2*2) sets of two different brands?
 
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spooky2th

spooky2th

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May 18, 2010
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Always buy a set of whatever memory total you want to install. The kits are tested together to make sure they will work together. If you buy 2 kits and they have problems when both are installed but work seperately, the manufacturer will only uphold the warranty on each kit seperately. You RMA the memory kits but the manufacturer will most likely send them back to you with no problems found.
 
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hanku

hanku

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Dec 12, 2013
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Thanks again. I checked the manual online which seemed to be different than my hardcopy version. It says that it can indeed do maximum 2GB per slot. And when 2GB is put in a slot it cannot be PC6400 memory but only PC5300 or PC4200.

You may install a maximum of 2 GB DIMMs on each slot, but only DDR2-533 and DDR2-667 2 GB density modules are available for this configuration.
Click to expand...
However, not sure if this means it's not supported by the board or that in 2007 there weren't any PC6400 2GB modules...

I guess the advantage of 8GB vs 4GB is greater than PC6400 (in a 4*1GB) vs PC5300 (in a 4*2GB) configuration. (In a Win 7 x64 setup aiming to play modern games relatively decently. With the emphasis on relatively. :))

Time to get an Q9550 with it (12mb cache) or a modded LGA 771 Xeon (which are cheaper).

Thanks for your time and effort spooky!
 
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jogladik

jogladik

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Mar 31, 2012
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P5B support maximum only 2GB in slot (see user manual with motherboard) and 4 slot. I have P5B and use overclocked memory (3 years) with good timing (5 need min for 4 slot and 6 for 2 with 1 and 2 GB in slot) with FSB clock 402 MHz in BIOS ( P5B-ASUS-2102, P5B-ASUS-2104 BIOS; 401...403 MHz FSB, or more than 410, but no so good and more problem it is P5B properties). Also for memory type it need adjusted memory voltage from first time 1.9 V to 1.7 V (may be not stable) or to 2.1 max (not more, 2.0 and more give big heating). For this and need timing see site www.overclockers.ru for P5B and memory overclocking. For memory control I use MS Utility (you can use win 8 (8.1) system Utility that may be use before you has system input. Also for more than 4 GB (3,7) it is need 64 bit systems (not XP) that may utilize this memory (see Microsoft Tech-net site for Win 2008 R2 (it has table system memory requirements to Vista ,Win 7, 8 and another system configuration).
 
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Gokufighther

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May 17, 2014
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