A64 and Memory

[adz21c]

Hi,
I currently have an Atholon64 3200+ with AOpen AK89-Max (with 1.07c Bios) and 1 512MB PC3200 Stick. I want to upgrade my memory to 1.5 GB however I read an article on here about A64 Motherboards and memory and it sounds like a complete pain in the backside. I am no huge techy so I am just looking for some advice. What would be my best approach? Should I buy a 1GB Stick or 2 512 Sticks? Also after reading that article, when buying this RAM should there be something very specific about it for things to go smoothly? Also looking at the article the AK89-Max didn't seem to fare well, would be a good idea for me to get another motherboard? If so which would you suggest?

Thanks,
Adam

 

[adz21c]

Looked further through the forum and people seem to be saying nForce3-150 boards (like my current one) seem to not be able to take 3x512 pc3200 sticks where as nForce3-250 can, is this true? As I can get a new nForce3-250 board and 2 extra 512 sticks cheaper than buying a 1GB stick (friend doesn't need some of his old stuff ), so would this be the better route?

 

[gothitbycar]

I don't think 1.5 gb is worth it unless your working with huge photos or videos (if thats the case you should've gotten a P4.) Maybe sell your current board and buy a new mobo and another stick of 512mb. I always like to get memory in pairs (even though my 754 mobo is single channel) just in case I get my hands on a dual channel 939 board I won't be left with an extra memory module or short one. Again it doesn't matter with the 754 athlons, im just anal and everything has to be matched.

If you want to overclock or are really unhappy with your current board your a nf3-250 board is an ideal solution, everyone here is suggesting a MSI K8N Neo Platinum.

-----------------------
[mind went blank]

 

[adz21c]

Ok thanks for the advice

 

[Zeekfu]

Something about the "stepping" of the chip as well (whatever that is). The newer cg stepping seems to give better compatibility with the ram tested in that article. (Also perhaps helps the three ram issue?):

<A HREF="http://www6.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20040602/memory_modules-24.html" target="_new">http://www6.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20040602/memory_modules-24.html</A>

here is the link someone posted a while back for the athlon 64 chip codes:
<A HREF="http://www.amdboard.com/amd64_opn.html" target="_new">http://www.amdboard.com/amd64_opn.html</A>

As far as I have seen most people on this forum seem to indicate 1 gig is memory a plenty for most all users.


<font color=black>yippie ki ya, m..........<font color=black>

 

[Guest]

A newer stepping is a new revision of the core. Like a new software build.
Like the newer Prescott steppings have a little lower TDP.

Oh and its not always what you can call improvments older Barton steppings had unlocked multiplier for exemples...

Asus P4P800DX, P4C 2.6ghz@3.25ghz, 2X512 OCZ PC4000 3-3-3-8, Leadtek FX5900 w/ FX5950U bios@500/1000, 2X30gig Raid0