Configuration Question About Upgrading My ddr2 ram to 4gb from 2gb

sare^baw's · 13 Nov 2011 at 19:21

i have the following

GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency ram
Gigabyte GA-P31-DS3L Mobo
Intel E2160 oc'd to 3.2ghz.

i was thinking of upgrading to 4gb or ram, i was going to buy some second hand stuff, can i just add another 2 of the same Geil ram and fill the 4 slots, will my mobo still run in dual channel mode if i do this as from what i read it can only run in dual channel mode if 2 modules are used.

i really dont have much of a clue when it comes to ram lol

RJC · 13 Nov 2011 at 19:48

You should be able to run dual channel ok, you might need to increase MCH voltage a notch or two.

sare^baw's · 13 Nov 2011 at 20:27

RJC said:
You should be able to run dual channel ok, you might need to increase MCH voltage a notch or two.

thanks for the reply, im not sure if im understanding the manual correctly, is it saying if i use all 4 slots will the frequency be reduced

RJC · 13 Nov 2011 at 21:14

I think i am going to retract my statement, as looking at the chart in your post you need single sided modules, I think the Geil is dual sided.

sare^baw's · 13 Nov 2011 at 22:27

RJC said:
I think i am going to retract my statement, as looking at the chart in your post you need single sided modules, I think the Geil is dual sided.

so would i be better buying 2 x 2gb modules then?

RJC · 13 Nov 2011 at 22:35

sare^baw's said:
so would i be better buying 2 x 2gb modules then?

Having a another look at the manual the board can handle a max of 4gb of ram, so it should work.

sare^baw's · 13 Nov 2011 at 23:09

RJC said:
Having a another look at the manual the board can handle a max of 4gb of ram, so it should work.

thats what confuses me, it says it can handle up to 4gb, but if i put in 4gb of the geil ram will it keep the mobo in dual channel mode, i assume i want it to be in dual channel mode? :confused:

BlackBat · 14 Nov 2011 at 00:12

To upgrade to 4GB the solution would be to get 2x2GB modules (double-sided or single sided) and put one stick in either socket 1 or 2 (channel 0) and put the other stick in either socket 3 or 4 (channel 1). DO NOT put both sticks in the same channels (i.e. sockets 1&2 (channel 0) or sockets 3&4 (channel 1)).

sare^baw's · 14 Nov 2011 at 21:21

BlackBat said:
To upgrade to 4GB the solution would be to get 2x2GB modules (double-sided or single sided) and put one stick in either socket 1 or 2 (channel 0) and put the other stick in either socket 3 or 4 (channel 1). DO NOT put both sticks in the same channels (i.e. sockets 1&2 (channel 0) or sockets 3&4 (channel 1)).

thanks for your help, seems a bit pointless putting 4 slots in when you cant use them, ill try and get some second hand ram 2 x 2gb and sell my geil stuff, cheers dudes.