How to know if a RAM is categorized as high density?

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Exodias3219

Exodias3219

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I'm gonna buy a new RAM because my motherboard doesn't support my previous RAM (Avexir 4gb 1600). I would like to know what are the bases (physical or datasheet) of judging whether a RAM is categorized as high density.

MB: Foxconn G41MXE
CPU: Q9400
 
Solution
BFG-9000
They are indeed relative terms but in this case the OP is looking for the largest sticks the G41 chipset supports, which are made from sixteen 1Gb chips in 128Mx8, which have not been made in years and are often incompatible with later chipsets. The easiest way is to look it up on the memory manufacturers' compatibility configurator pages or ask them, as often the datasheets do not contain this information and heatspreaders cover the markings on the chips.

Note that G41 only officially supports up to 4GB of DDR3 although it uses the same northbridge MCH as G43 which only has a different southbridge yet officially supports 8GB. There are specific reports of some 8GB working in G41.
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thx1138v2

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"High density" is more of a marketing term than anything that is quantifiable. Higher density than what? It's a moving target. "High density" in 1995 meant something different than what it does today.

What you need to find is the rAM that is compatible with your motherboard. Here you will find Foxconn's memory compatibility list: http://www.foxconnchannel.com/ProductDetail.aspx?T=motherboard&U=en-us0000483

Buy something from that list and it should work with your motherboard. Make sure you have the BIOS version they list installed on your motherboard for the particular RAM you buy.
 
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BFG-9000

BFG-9000

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Sep 17, 2016
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They are indeed relative terms but in this case the OP is looking for the largest sticks the G41 chipset supports, which are made from sixteen 1Gb chips in 128Mx8, which have not been made in years and are often incompatible with later chipsets. The easiest way is to look it up on the memory manufacturers' compatibility configurator pages or ask them, as often the datasheets do not contain this information and heatspreaders cover the markings on the chips.

Note that G41 only officially supports up to 4GB of DDR3 although it uses the same northbridge MCH as G43 which only has a different southbridge yet officially supports 8GB. There are specific reports of some 8GB working in G41.
 
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Exodias3219

Exodias3219

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How about the ones without heat spreaders? How can I determine physically?
 
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BFG-9000

BFG-9000

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Sep 17, 2016
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I don't recommend trying to remove the heatspreaders unless they are simply clipped on as the tape used can be stronger than the solder used on the BGA chips!

Fortunately you have a really good tester right there--if the board boots up and sees all of the RAM then it's low density! Just buy from a local place with a good returns policy. Or any good used computer store will let you bring in your desktop and try it right there.

If you have to order the memory then I would suggest used memory from around 2009 as memory of that vintage nearly always works. Any of the reputable large name brands should be able to supply you with model numbers that were compatible then even though they no longer sell them. I know new memory made from new-old-stock 128M chips was sold as recently as 2014 but even back then they were getting difficult to find.
 
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Exodias3219

Exodias3219

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Check your private messages, I have something to ask
 
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Exodias3219

Exodias3219

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The store owner on which I bought the Avexir recommended me this: Kingston KCP313NS8/4
Is it compatible?
 
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