Asus A7V8X 1.5GB DDR400 possible?

[achi10]

Hi, I've been looking around, and have not come to a conclusion.
I'm wonder if the Asus A7V8X mobo can support 1.5GB of pc3200?

I'm planning on using 3 512mb modules. Right now I have 2 512mb modules and want to add a 3rd.

However, I see that it says 2 banks max at 3200. Now i'm no rocket scientist, but I think that means i can only have 2 modules of 3200? maybe? i dont know.

so is this going to be possible?

also, if that is not possible, will i be able to change the speed of the ram in bios and lower it 333mhz and then have the 3 512 modules installed?

thanks in advance!

http://usa.asus.com/products/mb/socketa/a7v8x/overview.htm

 

[achi10]

will i need to lower the speed of the ram to 333? or can i keep it at 400?
also, right now i have 2 diff. ram modules installed, and was planning on getting a 3rd diff module, will this make my system completely wacky?

 

[BrentUnitedMem]

Normally the term "bank" represents the area of the motherboard that contains the slots for the memory modules. Memory banks are typically double-sided.

According to ASUS web:
3 x DDR DIMM Sockets
Max. 3 GB unbuffered *PC3200 /PC2700/PC2100/PC1600 non-ECC SDRAM Memory
(Note: PC3200 Max. to 2 banks only; PC2700 Max. to 4 banks only)


According to that definition, doesnt make sence to have 4 banks with only 3 slots.

Another use of the term "bank" refers to the logical partition of chips on a module. Normally, a double sided module has 2 memory banks, whereas a single-sided module has a single memory bank. According to this definition you could only use the following PC-3200 configurations with this board:
A) 1 pc double-sided 512MB
B) 2 pcs single-side 512MB modules

So if you install 2 pieces of double-sided 512MB modules, the chipset will clock it down to PC-2700, since the two modules occupy 4 banks.

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[BrentUnitedMem]

Ideally, you want to fill the banks of the motherboatrd slots completely (i.e double sided modules).

____________________________________________________
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[achi10]

so double sided modules look like what? right now, i have 2 512mb modules in, so i'm assuming they are one-sided since the system detects it perfectly.

also, if i were to add a 3rd piece, will it read okay at 3200, or will it lower to 2700 automatically? or do i need to manually lower it to 2700? this is tough stuff.

Or will it not even detect the 3rd? is it bad for me to put a 3rd module in my system?

 

[BrentUnitedMem]

double sided memory modules have memory chips on both sides of the memory module.

So, your system is running both modules at PC-3200 (DDR-400) speed ?

Can you check if they are single or double sided?

____________________________________________________
"Memory with lifetime warranty? So, whose lifetime is that?"
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[achi10]

it looks like they are double sided, i'm also running a 2800+, am i going overboard using pc3200?

 

[BrentUnitedMem]

What are you using your computer for that requires 1.5GB of system memory?

____________________________________________________
"Memory with lifetime warranty? So, whose lifetime is that?"
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[achi10]

Well I do 3D applications and also run a compositing program which requires a RAM preview, so the more RAM the merrier. I'm gonna give it a shot! Thanks!