Dual Channel Memory Question

[DaddyLyuLyu]

Hello Friends:

I have a simple question that I, for some reason, can't figure it out. I have an Abit IC7-MAX3 board w/ 4 x 512MB of Corsair PC3200 XMS XL RAM. The board suport dual channel but what I am wondering is if all 4 slots are occupied (Like my setup), does it still run in DC?

Thank you all for your help.

TTFN

 

[waylander]

Yes it should run in dual channel, 1 and 3 together and 2 and 4 together. Only difference is that it will probably drop to 2T command rate timing.

 

[DaddyLyuLyu]

Thanks for the quick reply. I thought it should run in DC, but I just wasn't sure. Thanks for the confirmation!

TTFN

 

[SciPunk]

So what's the best way to tell if you are running in Dual Channel mode, and if you are dropped to 2T command rate timing ?

 

[nobly]

Also consult your motherboard manual. If all 4 slots are occupied it may drop your DDR frequency down to 333... or it might not.

 

[DaddyLyuLyu]

Good point....I didn't think about that. I have my P4 Northwood stock 3.2 OC'd to 3.9 on air. So far, the FSB is at 249...trying to go 250 but having a little stability issues.

Thanks all!

TTFN

 

[chunkymonster]

So what's the best way to tell if you are running in Dual Channel mode, and if you are dropped to 2T command rate timing ?

Snag a copy of CPU-Z for all sorts of info regarding your system, i.e.; proc specs, mobo specs, memory speed, memory specs, etc...nice little utility to have...

 

[Scougs]

Nice overclock for a Northwood. The 1T vs. 2T is an AMD thing. With an Intel setup you don't have to worry about it. I don't think that having 4-Dimms will automatically lower your memory speed either.

I have a 2.8C Northwood and mine starts to have issues in the neighborhood of 3.7GHz. I have PC3200 Ram and I have to set my memory at 5:4 (DDR333) when I have the fsb at 250MHz. You could be running into memory stability problems but I doubt it. Northwoods don't often hit 3.9GHz without extreme cooling.

My current setup is a 2.8C @ 3.5GHz (14x250); stock CPU voltage; memory at 5:4 so it is actually running at DDR400 (dual channel); Zalman 7000 Al-Cu heatsink.

 

[DaddyLyuLyu]

I have the same HSF combo, excpet mine is the all copper one. I've got other cooling as well but I think I just got lucky and got a good OCable chip. I've left it burn-in at 249FSB for several days....all was well. As soon as I bumped to 250.....then Windows will sometimes reboot, games will crash randomly, sometimes it wouldn't POST, things like that. I can see the RAM is being taxed (it has the LEDs) and it's always interesting to see what happens just right before my machines craps out.....the LEDs are peaked, maxed to the brimm.

I will have to forfeit the idea of 250FSB and stick with 249.....damn....

Thank you

TTFN