Need to adjust voltage using all 4 slots?

paul_31 · 26 Jul 2009 at 22:56

Hi Guys,

Am I just deciding on spec for a new build and was going to go for 8GB (4x2GB) of RAM in this mobo -

Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard

I think I read somewhere that when using all 4 slots you need to adjust the voltages slightly. Is this correct? If so, what do I need to change and to what settings?

Was going to go for 2 sets of this RAM -

Corsair XMS3 DHX 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600C9DHX Twin3X (TW3X4G1600C9DHX)

Thanks,
Paul.

outsourcedsoul · 27 Jul 2009 at 10:15

I'd set all the bios options manually for voltages and timings as per manufacturers instructions.
Also might need to up the NB voltage by 0.2v, I had to to get all 4 slots running nicely.

paul_31 · 28 Jul 2009 at 08:25

OK thanks, would I be better going to 2x4GB modules for any reason? I have noticed while looking around that it seems very hard to find DDR3 4GB modules, I only seem to find kits of 2x2GB, is there any reason for this?

outsourcedsoul · 28 Jul 2009 at 08:34

There are lots of posts around that say its better to use 2 modules rather than all four as it puts less strain on the NB, I can only comment on my personal experience where after raised the NB voltage slightly it's been perfectly stable.
Not sure on the DDR3 modules.

Greebo · 28 Jul 2009 at 08:53

using all 4 slots vs 2 slots does reduce your maximum overclock but that depends if you plan to overclock to the limit.

I found that I needed both extra voltage on the ram and the nb to get 4 ram sticks stable at the same speed as 2 ram sticks. My maximum overclock dropped a lot as well as getting 4 ramsticks stable above 475 fsb is very, very hard.

paul_31 · 28 Jul 2009 at 09:50

thanks, think I will try and find 2x 4GB modules for this - any recommendations?

aaron333 · 28 Jul 2009 at 09:54

Nevermind.

!TIMMY! · 28 Jul 2009 at 10:20

paul_31 said:
thanks, think I will try and find 2x 4GB modules for this - any recommendations?

Hard to find and very expensive. I am in the same boat, currently on 4gb, want 8gb but don't want to compromise on cpu oc.

Greebo · 28 Jul 2009 at 13:04

Question is: Do you need 8gb though?

paul_31 · 28 Jul 2009 at 13:49

Greebo said:
Question is: Do you need 8gb though?

Well I'm considering going for 6GB for now (3x2GB). I will be running a couple of virtual machines on this (and a number of virtual Cisco routers for labs) so wanted to throw in a lot of RAM so that each machine can have a couple of GB each.

I have been out of the loop for a while now but I assume AM3 does not support tri-channel as I have only seen this mentioned on i7 boards?