[SOLVED] Mixing 4 GB and 2 GB DIMMs on a mainboard okay?

thebeav · 11-15-2013, 07:17 PM

well you got all the ram info you need. get GSkill ddr3 1333 1.5v with a 9-9-9-24 timing. order a 8GB Kit 2x4GB. pretty common. 32 GB is not going to work on that board as someone mentioned.

cascade9 · 11-16-2013, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobiSGD

The Phenom II and that motherboard shouldn't have a problem with 32 GB, but for most use-cases 32GB is just overkill. Also, keep in mind that if you use 4 memory modules the Phenom II CPUs automatically downclock the RAM to DDR3-1333, so don't buy fast (and expensive) overclocker RAM for this.

Yeah, I know, this is almost offtopic, but its something I find interesting.

The Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H that JZL240I-U has is limited to 16GB according to gigabyte.

There are some 890GX boards with a 32GB max RAM, eg Asrock 890GX Pro3-

http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/890GX%2...Specifications

But there are other asrock 890GX baords with only 16GB max RAM, eg 890GX Extreme3-

http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/890GX%2...Specifications

I'm not sure why they have different max RAM amounts, maybe the 32GB versions have an updated chip/BIOS?

BTW, too late now, and I wouldnt pay much more for 'fast' RAM, but even if you cant use anthing faster than DDR3-1333 without overclocking the CPU memory controller, you can use tighter timings on the 'fast' RAM which can make a very minor difference.

I'd also be more likely to get 2 x 8GB over 4 x 4GB.

TobiSGD · 11-16-2013, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cascade9

I'm not sure why they have different max RAM amounts, maybe the 32GB versions have an updated chip/BIOS?

I am wondering at those specifications from the motherboard at all. It is not that they would contain the memory controller, the memory controller is integrated into the CPU. If anything, the CPU should be the limiting factor to the amount of RAM you can use, not the mainboard.

cascade9 · 11-17-2013, 02:31 AM

Yeah, thats why I find it interesting. I wish I had a few sticks of 8GB DDR3 and some 890GX boards to play around with...

JZL240I-U · 11-18-2013, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobiSGD

Yes, it is a nice strategy game, no violence is displayed...

Thanks for the info, I'll see whether I can install it on ubuntu 12.04.

JZL240I-U · 11-18-2013, 01:13 AM

Thank you all for your input about the possibilities concerning RAM. I'll probably wait until prices drop to a reasonable level and then buy 16 GB as 4 x 4 GB DIMMs. AMD mentions something about "unganged" access to the DIMMs, so that might (possibly) be better than 2 x 8 GB. Perhaps a nice gift for christmas from myself

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cascade9 · 11-18-2013, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JZL240I-U

AMD mentions something about "unganged" access to the DIMMs, so that might (possibly) be better than 2 x 8 GB. Perhaps a nice gift for christmas from myself

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Ganged vs unganged is not 2 DIMMs vs 4 DIMMs.

You can run as ganged or unganged on any motherboard that supports both modes provided that you have 2, 4, etc. sticks of RAM.

Huge article on ganged vs unganged here-

http://www.ilsistemista.net/index.ph...l?limitstart=0

IMO 2 RAM sticks is better than 4 RAM sticks, its slightly more stable and sometimes can let you tune/tweak the RAM settings a little further. In most cases though it wont matter much, if at all.

JZL240I-U · 11-18-2013, 06:55 AM

Thanks for a very elucidating link and an even more interesting site, cascade9, feed bookmarked

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TobiSGD · 11-18-2013, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JZL240I-U

Thanks for the info, I'll see whether I can install it on ubuntu 12.04.

They have packages for Ubuntu on their download page.