PC RAM

dee · 7 Dec 2009 at 21:47

Hi lads, hopefully someone can give me a bit of advice.

I have a Quad Core Q6600 machine with 2gb ram (2 x 1gb). A while back I tried to up the memory to 3gb and I bought a stick of 1gb PC3200 CL3 184 - Pin DIMM.

When I tried to install it my system wouldn't boot. I now want to up the RAM to 4gb so would anyone be able to tell me what is the correct RAM I should be looking for?

System info:

Property Value
Model 4CoreDual-SATA2

North Bridge VIA PT880 Pro Revision 00
South Bridge VIA VT8237S Revision 00

CPU Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU @ 2.40GHz
Cpu Socket Socket 775 LGA

System Slots 5 PCI

Memory Summary
Maximum Capacity 4096 MBytes
Maximum Memory Module Size 2048 MBytes
Memory Slots 2

Memory Summary
Maximum Capacity 4096 MBytes
Maximum Memory Module Size 2048 MBytes
Memory Slots 2
Error Correction None
DRAM Frequency 251.2 MHz
Memory Timings 4-4-4-12 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Device Locator Slot 1
Manufacturer GEIL
Part Number CL4-4-4DDR2-800
Serial Number 00000001
Capacity 1024 MBytes
Memory Type DDR2 (PC2-6400)
Speed 400 MHz (DDR2 800)
Supported Frequencies 200.0 MHz, 266.7 MHz, 400.0 MHz
Memory Timings 3-3-3-9-12 at 200.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 4-4-4-12-16 at 266.7 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 5-5-5-18-23 at 400.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width 64 bits
Manufacturing Date 2006, Week 27
EPP SPD Support No
XMP SPD Support No
Device Locator Slot 2
Manufacturer GEIL
Part Number CL4-4-4DDR2-800
Serial Number 00000001
Capacity 1024 MBytes
Memory Type DDR2 (PC2-6400)
Speed 400 MHz (DDR2 800)
Supported Frequencies 200.0 MHz, 266.7 MHz, 400.0 MHz
Memory Timings 3-3-3-9-12 at 200.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 4-4-4-12-16 at 266.7 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings 5-5-5-18-23 at 400.0 MHz, at 1.8 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width 64 bits
Manufacturing Date 2006, Week 27
EPP SPD Support No
XMP SPD Support No

scotty365 · 7 Dec 2009 at 22:04

Is this a summary of your system as of now? Looking at where your memory is located in slot 1&2 needs to be 1&3 or 2&4 (for intel boards)

If you were trying to add an extra 1gb stick to the 2 you already had, then the memory cant run in dual channel mode - it needs to be in pairs.

~Scotty

dee · 7 Dec 2009 at 22:10

Hi Scotty,

Yeah, I have just used a wee utility called "SIW" to give me system details before I posted my query.

So am I basically being a clampet?

My system from "my computer" is showing up as having 2gb RAM but ideally would I need to move one of these and then get another stick of the PC3200 RAM to install as a pair?

scotty365 · 7 Dec 2009 at 22:18

First of all - if I'm correct in what I'm reading the memory are in slots next to each other on the mother-board. It may just be the report but if it is like this then you need to move the memory to slots 1 and 3 or slots 2 and 4. This will give you dual channel ability (the memory will run at 800Mhz instead os 400Mhz)

I dont think I understand why you want to add a stick of 3200, you have 6400 already - that would be preferrable but you really need 2 sticks of 6400 so it will all run properly in dual channel.

***EDIT** you only have two slots on your mobo from what I see - That means forget what I said!! You need to add 2x2GB sticks to increase your memory properly.

~Scotty

dee · 7 Dec 2009 at 22:41

Thanks for your time Scotty but it seems my bloody motherboard only accepts 2 sticks up to 2gb in total!!!

scotty365 · 7 Dec 2009 at 23:13

Memory Summary
Maximum Capacity 4096 MBytes
Maximum Memory Module Size 2048 MBytes
Memory Slots 2

It supports 2x2GB

Try DDR2 6400 2x2GB you should be okay with that

~Scotty

sastusbulbas · 8 Dec 2009 at 00:21

The 4coreDual Sata II only accepts 2 single sticks of DDR1 or two single sticks of DDR2 not both together.
If you want to utilise 2x2Gb you have to update the Bios via the PCtrieber site, using a Floppy drive.

The motherboard cannot recognise more than 3.25 due to chipset limitations and more than 2x1Gb affects its OC ability.

It will also underclock PC-6400 in most cases.

I used Bios 2.12 I think it was, and ran Corsair XMS PC-6400C5 2x2Gb with that motherboard, I am not sure if I can link to another forum or name it but if you do a Google search of that mobo it should be quite easy to find A certain forum with an extensive thread on getting the best out that board. I still use mine with an E5200 at 3Ghz with 2x1Gb of PC-3500.

Low power (1.8v or so) DDR2 2x2Gb of PC2-5300 or PC2-6400 should be fine with a suitable Bios update, Can't find any 2x2Gb 5300 kits but these below I am sure have been used by others,

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-086-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=813

This was recommended to me some time back,
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-038-KS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=813

I ended up using Corsair XMS PC2-6400 CM2X2048-6400C5 2x2Gb and underclocking them.

dee · 8 Dec 2009 at 18:42

Thanks for that mate. Its been a great help