Memory Upgrade

[dunn2k]

Hi guys,

Currently im running 2 x 1Gb Patriot extreme DDR2 800 memory using an ASUS M4A78 Mobo which supports up to DDR2 1200 according to the website.

I want to upgrade to 4Gb and was probably going to get 2 x 2Gb of Patriot extreme DDR2 1066 memory however i dont really want to invest £70 in 'old' technology. So my question to the forum; Is there anyway i can use DDR3 memory in this mobo using a software patch or something to do with backwards compatability?? Im sure the answer is no but i thought id check with the professionals

 

[rwpritchett]

No, the RAM sticks are physically different and will not allow you to install DDR3 RAM on a motherboard that requires DDR2.

I suggest you scour auction sites like eBay for some used DDR2 RAM. A lot of people are upgrading to DDR3 and so there is a glut of used DDR2 RAM for sale at prices much better than retail.

 

[o1die]

No. DDr3 uses different voltage settings, and is notched differently so you can't interchange the two. I suggest you sell your board and ram on craigslist if you have one in your community.

 

[dunn2k]

thanks for your advice guys

My next question then......As iv said above i currently have 2 x 1Gb modules of DDR2 800 RAM. I have two choices;

1/ buy 2 more 1Gb modules of DDR2 800 Ram so that i have a total of 4 x 1Gb modules

or

2/ sell my RAM and buy 2 x 2Gb modules of DDR2 1066 RAM

which would be the best option bearing in mind i will be running windows 7 once i upgrade

 

[rwpritchett]

Seeing that you have an AMD board, we need to know if you have a CPU that has a memory controller capable of DDR2-1066 speed. The older Athlon AM2 CPU's will only go up to DDR2-800 speed.

What's your CPU?

 

[dunn2k]

lol sorry..... i have an X3 720 BE

is it better or worse to have 4x1Gb modules or 2x2Gb modules for performance or does it not matter much!?

 

[o1die]

Not much. Whatever is more cost effective. Many boards don't default to 1066 speed; some are easier than others to get them running at the higher speed.

 

[rwpritchett]

Phenom II's can run DDR2-1066 so you're good there.

4x1 vs 2x2 will not affect performance... the only difference is sometimes you need to bump up the RAM voltage a little to run 4 sticks and it can be easier to get a stable overclock with only 2 sticks.

Maybe you should see if your current DDR2-800 RAM will run at 1066 speed. Bump up the voltage and see how far you can push it. If it runs at 1066, maybe you could just buy a 2x1GB DDR2-1066 kit for 4GB total.

 

[dunn2k]

Iv not tried to overclock my Ram to be honest but the reason i chose it was because it was so good in that area, check out this link

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/overclocking-9-value-priced-ddr2-800-kits-uk,review-2090-8.html

So i reckon ill keep the Ram and buy some more of the same/similar if im over clocking, i might as well overclock both sets of sticks!??