Hi people, I am considering upgrading my system to 64-bit (Athlon 64 socket 939 3000+ or 3200+), but am unsure about "allowed" memory configurations. Looking through several motherboard manuals seems to suggest that I can't use 3 memory modules, is this correct? Currently, I have 1 GB of PC2700 DDR RAM (2 x 256 MB, 1 x 512 MB) in my ASUS A7V8X-X board, but then again, that has 3 slots whereas all of the socket 939 boards I've looked at have 4. Also, is it ok to use PC2700 memory with these boards/CPUs? The boards I've looked at (ASUS A8V for one) support it, but their manuals don't say anything about memory/CPU combinations. With my current board, since I'm using a CPU with a 333 MHz FSB, I can only use DDR 333 RAM, so am wondering if there is anything similar to this for the 64-bit CPUs. I have contacted ASUS, but they've not gotten back to me yet.

Also will a 350 W PSU (I got it recently and can't really afford to get another to be honest) be ok for my setup? System will be as follows:

Athlon 64 3200+
512 MB PC2700 DDR RAM
80 GB Seagate HDD
20 GB Western Digital HDD
Samsung DVD-ROM Drive
GeForce 6600 256 MB (AGP 8x)
D-Link DFE-530TX NIC

Thanks.

You shouldn't have any problems using 3 sticks of memory. Just make sure they are compatiable with the board (don't shove a DRAM stick into a DDR slot) and make sure all three sticks are the same speed. I can't say for sure, but I don't see any problem with using three sticks in the board.As far as speed goes, you can use speed DDR in those slots. But it has to be atleast DDR, and at most 3200 DDR.

-----------

If your strapped for cash why don't you pick out some other hardware. If your only upgrading to a 3200+, why not get a 754 board? They're cheaper and they'll easily handle a 3200+. Hell with the money you might save you can upgrade to a faster CPU. Odds are the 754 boards will only come with two DDR slots though, but 768M of ram should be plenty. Everything else listed will still work just fine.

This shows it supports many types of ram.

I have a 64bit 3000+ 754pin with 1gig ddr400 and it is a great computer. It beats my bro in laws P4 w/HT on boot and in launching many programs, he can just multi tast a little better them me. I have enjoyed mine for the last 2 years, I hope you have as much fun with yours .

Thanks for both replies .

Penguin of Wonder - yeah, I was thinking of getting a socket 754 instead, but I keep reading stuff about how they're going to be replaced soon. Also, someone on LQ (I can't remember who right now) keeps advising people to get a 939 instead of a 754 for a similar reason.

Actually the oppisite might be true. It looks like thier going to drop the socket 939 before 754 when the new AM2 is finally released. Here check on this link.

Thank you for that info, PoW!

Your welcome!

Gah, finding a socket 754 board that I like is hard . The ASUS one I've seen only has 4 PCI slots. Anyone have recommendations? I'm looking for one that has a VIA chipset, 5 PCI slots and an AGP 8x slot.

Well the VIA chipset, and AGP 8x is easy to find. Any reason why you have to have 5 pci slots?

Since you asked though, here is two from tigerdirect with all of that on it.

Mach Speed Motherboard
Biostar Motherboard

I'll see if they sell those here. 5 PCI slots, well, I just like to have my cards spaced out a bit.

Edit: I found a Gigabyte one that has everything I want (GA-K8VT800).