Max RAM on an older MB

[Kruck]

Hello,

[posting this in chipsets/bios because the subcategory list doesn't show Gigabyte or a scroll bar using Firefox 10]

I have a Gigabyte P35-DS3P rev 2.0 (http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2625#ov). The specs say max of 8GB RAM (I currently have 4). I am running multiple virtual machines, and I need more memory (quad core 6600 machine, so I have yet to max out the CPU). I'm thinking about buying another 4GB Ram and moving to either Vista 64bit, or upgrading to Win7 to take advantage of the full RAM.

HOWEVER- I recall back around the time I bought this board, that in addition to whether the OS could support more RAM, and whether the motherboard actually had slots, that there was some other limiting factor- maybe BIOS, or maybe chipset, that could still prevent the use of the larger amount of RAM. Unfortunately, I can't recall the details.

Is anyone familiar with this MB's capability, or can you at least tell me what else I need to check before I drop $50 on more RAM? If I find out that the board simply can't support it, then I want to put that money towards a newer motherboard and the cheaper DDR3 ram.

Thanks for your expertise!

 

[sonexpc]

Make sure you get DDR2 800 Memory .. what memory you have in your system.. you better buy a pair... this MB should able to take 8GB ..

When you buy the board the limitation of ram should be use window XP 32 bit ... only can see 3.xGB ... if you move to window 7 64 bit ... don't try on vista .. then it will see all 8GB.... make sure this board have all window 7 driver before you do it..

 

[nikorr]

OK, u need

DDR2 1066*/800/667 memory

Dual Channel architecture supports up to 8GB by 4 DIMM slots

 

[nikorr]

What RAM do u have now?

Use CPU-Z to find out @ http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

 

[nikorr]

Its always best to match the RAM as close as possible!

 

[nikorr]

[fixed]I'm thinking about buying another 4GB Ram and moving to either Vista 64bit, or upgrading to Win7 to take advantage of the full RAM. [/fixed]
Do not even think about Vista, it would be a step backwards.

So get Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit ~ $99.99 @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=32-116-986&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=1#scrollFullInfo

 

[Kruck]

Existing RAM is Corsair 4GB (2 x 2GB modules) DDR2 800 PC2 6400 cas5 5-5-5-18 (TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX)

If I were to get a another 4GB, I was thinking of getting
4GB (2 x 2GB modules) DDR2 PC2-6400 (800MHz) CORSAIR TWIN2X4096-6400C5C G 5-5-5-18

Thanks everyone for the input!

 

[nikorr]

Existing RAM is Corsair 4GB (2 x 2GB modules) DDR2 800 PC2 6400 cas5 5-5-5-18 (TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX)

If I were to get a another 4GB, I was thinking of getting
4GB (2 x 2GB modules) DDR2 PC2-6400 (800MHz) CORSAIR TWIN2X4096-6400C5C G 5-5-5-18

Thanks everyone for the input!

Get the same one @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145176

In stock @ $68.99

 

[nikorr]

And yes, your mobo does support Win7 x64 bit.

So no problems with the drivers : ))

 

[Kruck]

[fixed]I'm thinking about buying another 4GB Ram and moving to either Vista 64bit, or upgrading to Win7 to take advantage of the full RAM. [/fixed]
Do not even think about Vista, it would be a step backwards.

So get Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit ~ $99.99 @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=32-116-986&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=1#scrollFullInfo

Wow, I agree that vista isn't ideal (when I originally built this machine I started by trying Vista64 and never got it to work, so I went with Vista32; I was hoping the drivers were better now).

However, looking at the reviews on that newegg link, every single review for the last three pages worth give Win7 64 a review of one out of 5 stars... that doesn't make me feel very comfortable either...

 

[Kruck]

Get the same one @ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145176

In stock @ $68.99

The difference is that I can get the 4GB of the other model I listed for about half that cost, which was what made it appealing enough to potentially pull the trigger on an upgrade

 

[nikorr]

Well, for $14 u will get exact match.

That minimizes the RAM conflict or errors, especially when u are running those VM's.

The RAM, especially DDR and DDR2 are more susceptible to errors when mismatched.

 

[nikorr]

BTW, windows 7 is far to superior to Vista.

The stability and the drivers availability is the best for any of the Windows from the past.

The W7x64 is the best for multitasking.

 

[nikorr]

If u would decide to get $400-$500, u can build machine that will be 2x faster, even when u have the great CPU 6600 : ))

Since u are investing in the older PC.