PC RAM Question

[cUnNiNg_StUnTs]

OK I really can't understand/keep-up with all of the standards that are out there right now so I'm asking for some one to bring me up to speed. I'm not a total hardware newb so please just catch me up on the standards.

My system:

• MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum SLI Motherboard
• AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 512K 90nm (939) Processor
• DDR (400) 3200 - 1 GB (2 pcs 512) Corsair currentMemory
• BFG GeForce 6800 GT OC 256MBVideo Card

I want to upgrade my memory to 2GB (2x 1GB sticks in DDR mode)

1. What memory will work in my motherboard. In other words will DDR 500, 600, 800 work in my system is the pin out the same is it only the BUS speed that's different?

2. Why is DDR400 so much more expensive for the same GB when compared to newer faster 500, 600 etc..??

3. Can you point me to a document/article that supports your answer?

Any help is greatly appreciated I've simply fallen off pace with hardware technology.

[HTM|Minion]

Your board will support up to (4) 1 gig sticks of DDR400 (pc3200).

Main Memory

• Supports dual channel DDR 266/333/400, using four 184-pin DDR DIMMs.
• Supports the memory size up to 4GB
• Supports 2.5v DDR SDRAM DIMM

Due to the High Performance Memory design, motherboards or system configurations may or may not operate smoothly at the JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council) standard settings (BIOS Default on the motherboard) such as DDR voltage, memory speeds and memory timing. Please confirm and adjust your memory setting in the BIOS accordingly for better system stability.

Example: Kingston HyperX DDR500 PC4000 operates at 2.65V, 3-4-4-8, CL=3.
For more information about specification of high performance memory modules, please check with your Memory Manufactures for more details.


source= http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p...4_Platinum/SLI

The newer cheaper memory is DDR2 240 pin, and it's not compatable with your board.

[HTM~ZenEye]

whatever the most produced flavor of memory is the cheapest as it is in highest demand. older memory starts to get pricey because there is less of it around and less demand to produce it. get the best deal on 1 or 2 gb that you can.

might be a better idea to upgrade your video card instead, are you agp or pcie?

[Freak]

whatever the most produced flavor of memory is the cheapest as it is in highest demand. older memory starts to get pricey because there is less of it around and less demand to produce it. get the best deal on 1 or 2 gb that you can.

might be a better idea to upgrade your video card instead, are you agp or pcie?

Thought all socket 939 mb were pci ex. Agree vid card would be best upgrade,I'm on the old 754 3400+ 7600gt.2-1 gig xms pc3200 ddr400,can't even utilize the dual channel because of mb.Decent fps in ut3 with everything turned down except that stupid menu between maps.lol

[HTM|Minion]

Slots

• Two PCI Express X16 slot (supports PCI Express Bus specification v1.0a compliant)
• 2nd PCI Express X16 is compatible with PCI Express x 1
• Three 32-bit Master PCI Bus slots, one orange slot reserves as communication slot.
• Support 3.3V/5V PCI bus Interface

[cUnNiNg_StUnTs]

are you agp or pcie?

My board is PCIE with another available PCIE for SLI

[cUnNiNg_StUnTs]

Agree vid card would be best upgrade

Oh trust me I would love to buy an 8800GT or something newer but I just bought my first house this year and there's no budget for it right now unless Santa has noticed how good I've been. (which I haven't really).

So new video=sub400dollars
New RAM=has been seen for less than $80 (but need to know if it will work)

I've seen sales on 2GB (paired 1GB DIMMs) for under 80 bucks but it's > greater than DDR400. 184-pin

So...

1. will it physically snap into the DIMM slots of my motherboard? (same shape and # of pins)
2. will is run at a speed less than what it was designed for such as my 200MHz memory bus.

[HTM|Assraker]

http://www.corsairmemory.com/

Use the memory configurator on the top right of the page. It will tell you what will work on your MB.

[cUnNiNg_StUnTs]

Thanks for that I think what I might do is try to get another set of my original corsair memory and just fill all 4 banks to get to 2 gigs it's a little cheaper but I still don't understand why this old memory is higher than the new faster memory.

I guess it's because of what ZenEye said supply and demand.

[HTM|Minion]

Thanks for that I think what I might do is try to get another set of my original corsair memory and just fill all 4 banks to get to 2 gigs it's a little cheaper but I still don't understand why this old memory is higher than the new faster memory.

I guess it's because of what ZenEye said supply and demand.

Yes it is true, try taking a look at some old pc-2700 ..it's very expensive compared to the newer ram.

Here is newegg's selection of pc-3200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...R+400+(PC+3200)

Here is 1 gig (2 x 512) of corsair value ram for 59.99 plus 5 bucks for 3 day shipping. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440

[cUnNiNg_StUnTs]

Thanks for all your help Minion, also you might not believe this but I read your first post thoroughly...

Example: Kingston HyperX DDR500 PC4000 operates at 2.65V, 3-4-4-8, CL=3.

...I went into my BIOS and memory voltage for my corsair was set to automatic I changed to manual and set that 2.65V I couldn't find corsairs official voltage but I'll be damned it it aint stable now. (probably just hexed it by saying that)

The book that came from MSI never said that and I built this thing by the book over a year or more ago.

You may have fixed my problem...Thanks a million.

I do plan to get 2 more 512 DIMMs as soon as I find the orginal invoice for the correct corsair part number.

Thanks again for everyones help!

[HTM|Assraker]

FYI, the original part number will be on the RAM (sticky label).

[HTM|Minion]

FYI, the original part number will be on the RAM (sticky label).

Yes, if you can produce the part number for your ram we can find the correct voltage and timings for it.

[cUnNiNg_StUnTs]

Sorry it took me so long to find this info...

TWINX-3200C2PT 1 GB PC3200 DDR RAM (twinx10243200c2pt)

[Freak]

Sorry it took me so long to find this info...

TWINX-3200C2PT 1 GB PC3200 DDR RAM (twinx10243200c2pt)

Same as my ram.These are my settings that I found when I bought my ram sometime ago.

Dram Clock:200 MHz

Dram Voltage:2.7x Volts

SDRAM CAS Latency:2T (2.5 on AMD platform)

SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD):3T

SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP):3T

SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS):6T

SDRAM Bank Interleave:4 Bank

Found it here,might have to search some.-
http://www.asktheramguy.com/v3/index.php

Update,scroll to 3200c2-http://www.asktheramguy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38144