Corsair 2x512MB DDR500 / PC4000 @ 3-4-4-8

[[TCS]BlackMamba]

Is Corsair 2x512MB DDR500 / PC4000 @ 3-4-4-8 compatible with my AMD 64 3000+ and my EPOX AKDA3+ mobo.

Thanks

[Dannik]

# Supports single- / doublesided 2.5v DDR-266/333/400 DIMMs in 64/128/256/512 MB Modules

# Three 184-pin DDR SDRAM DIMM sockets Support single-sided or double-sided 2.5v DDR-266/333 DIMMs in 64/128/256/512/1GbMb technologies Support Asynchronous clocking mode between FSB and DIMM

# Up to 3 GB of system memory

That Corsair is faster than is natively supported. That's rarely an issue, as RAM underclocks automatically, if installed in a slower environment than it's engineered for. In other words, that memory is better than your motherboard can fully utilize, but it should work just fine.

[[TCS]BlackMamba]

Ok so basically I am better jsut saving money and buying a cheaper version that will be full utilized. Such as XMS3200C2PT.

[Dannik]

The XMS3200C2PT modules are not only rated precisely at the top end of your motherboard, their latency timings (2-3-3-6) are quite a bit better.

Mind you, buying a component that's a bit ahead of your needs means your system is a bit more future-ready. Still, with RAM being such a commodity, you probably are better off going with the slightly less expensive but still excellent quality, and use the couple of GBP you save towards other upgrades.

[[TCS]BlackMamba]

I already have a XMS3200C2PT 512mb module so i was gunna find another matching pair or single with same revision. Then i saw the ones mentioned above on ebay and wondered if it was worth scrapping my current module and totally changing.

[[TCS]BlackMamba]

Would my mobo run XMS3200C2PT 1Gb modules just at the slower speed of 2700?

[CR6]

BlackMamba,Aug 30 2005, 08:21 PM]

Is Corsair 2x512MB DDR500 / PC4000 @ 3-4-4-8 compatible with my AMD 64 3000+ and my EPOX AKDA3+ mobo.

Thanks

←

You do not need DDR500 memory if you are not planning to overclock your system. DDR500 is for overclockers, since running your AMD 64 at default speed uses a 400MHz FSB.

If you don't overclock and have extra cash, get the DDR400/PC3200 at low-latency settings (2-2-2-5 is the lowest available I think). I personally run Corsair DDR400 at 2-3-2-6.

Honestly, low-latency DDR400 is likely the same as the DDR500, but Corsair guarantees the memory will run and has been tested at those ratings, and programs the latencies into the memory's SPD settings.

Ref:

http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2390

So you could use the DDR500 with your DDR400 stick, but both will run at 400MHz FSB with your CPU. You can then manually set the latencies in the BIOS when tweaking your system so that both sticks of RAM run at the lowest latencies compatible with both sticks without crashing, but Corsair won't guarantee it will optimally work this way.

[[TCS]BlackMamba]

Thanks CR6 I'm probably going to buy just an extra Gb of XMS3200C2PT. However would my mobo run XMS3200C2PT 1Gb modules just at the slower speed of 2700?

[CR6]

BlackMamba,Aug 30 2005, 09:22 PM]

Thanks CR6 I'm probably going to buy just an extra Gb of XMS3200C2PT.  However would my mobo run XMS3200C2PT 1Gb modules just at the slower speed of 2700?

←

The "3200" in XMS3200C2PT indicates that this memory runs at DDR400 speeds, so with an Athlon 64 (built-in memory controller supports PC3200), it will run at 3200 as long as the motherboard also supports 400MHz FSB.

The only reason memory will run at 2700 is if you bought DDR333/PC2700 memory or if your CPU used a 333MHz FSB like some of the older Athlons, or if your motherboard's FSB is limited to 333 MHz.

I can't seem to find your motherboard's specs on the Epox website ... search comes up empty for "AKDA3+"

[Dannik]

CR6, according to the motherboard manufacturer, memory modules up to 512mb will run in 266/333/400 mode, while 1gb modules will run in 266/333 mode.

[CR6]

Ah, nice catch Dannik. So you are right that a 1GB module will only run at 333 MHz FSB, and that will slow down your other 512MB module to 333 too.

Going from a 400MHz to 333MHz FSB will be a much bigger performance drop (16%) compared to the performance gains you get with lower memory latencies (3-5% at the most)

So if I were in your situation, I would get 3x512MHz sticks instead of 1x1GB+1x512MB for the total of 1.5GB of memory.

[[TCS]BlackMamba]

OOOPS sorry bout this guys AKDA3+ is a random typo caused by me getting up at 5 am this morning lol its an 8KDA3+. Sorry for the confusion.

[[TCS]BlackMamba]

So would 1Gb sticks of XMS3200C2PT run at full speed in an Epox 8KDA3+?

[WhiteKnight77]

Yes.