A8N-E ram question

[sligo]

Is there any advantage of using two 512 MB ram chips instead of one 1 GB ram
chip for subject board?
Thank you,
Seamus J. Wilson

 

[Mark A]

Is there any advantage of using two 512 MB ram chips instead of one 1 GB
ram
chip for subject board?
Thank you,
Seamus J. Wilson

You definitely want to install memory in pairs to enable dual channel mode
(this is "sort of" like disk stripping with memory--no flames please). You
would be best to buy matched pairs because they must the same brand and
speed, and the matched pairs are tested together by the manufacturer.

For dual channel mode on the AN8-E, you can install the 2 memory DIMMs in
slots A1 and B1 (the blue slots), or in A2 and B2 (the black slots).

Here is a good choice if you don't intend to overclock:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

 

[sligo]

Thank you Mark for great explanation.
Best,
Seamus J.

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

You definitely want to install memory in pairs to enable dual channel mode
(this is "sort of" like disk stripping with memory--no flames please). You
would be best to buy matched pairs because they must the same brand and
speed,
True

and the matched pairs are tested together by the manufacturer.

Unlikely. They just charge a premium in many cases. Simpler to buy two
sticks at the same time from someone reputable (crucial) - they'll be
matched enough.

For dual channel mode on the AN8-E, you can install the 2 memory DIMMs in
slots A1 and B1 (the blue slots), or in A2 and B2 (the black slots).

The other advantage is that if one stick goes belly up, you can still
hobble along with the other stick. If a 1GB stick goes belly up you have
no redundancy. Always fit everything possible in pairs!!

 

[Mark A]

and the matched pairs are tested together by the manufacturer.

Unlikely. They just charge a premium in many cases. Simpler to buy two
sticks at the same time from someone reputable (crucial) - they'll be
matched enough.

GSV Three Minds in a Can
Contact recommends the use of Firefox; SC recommends it at gunpoint.

According to Corsair, their memory that is sold as matched pairs are tested
together and packaged immediately after testing. I assume that other
manufacturers who sell matched pairs do the same. If you look at memory
prices today, the "premium" for matched pairs is very small or non-existent
compared to 2 sticks of the same memory from the same manufacturer.

 

[Ken Maltby]

According to Corsair, their memory that is sold as matched pairs are
tested together and packaged immediately after testing. I assume that
other manufacturers who sell matched pairs do the same. If you look at
memory prices today, the "premium" for matched pairs is very small or
non-existent compared to 2 sticks of the same memory from the same
manufacturer.

All the posts are true enough, but in your case I would
go single channel with the 1Gig stick until I could afford
another one. You may only be able to get the two
channel to work right with two of the slots at a time. You
can't get all four slots to work with full access to your total
memory. With only three slots, I think you would be stuck
with single channel operation, even if it were a 1Gig and
two 512Meg.

If you don't expect to ever want to use more that the 1Gig,
then the two 512Meg, would be a little better.

Luck;
Ken

 

[Mark A]

All the posts are true enough, but in your case I would
go single channel with the 1Gig stick until I could afford
another one. You may only be able to get the two
channel to work right with two of the slots at a time. You
can't get all four slots to work with full access to your total
memory. With only three slots, I think you would be stuck
with single channel operation, even if it were a 1Gig and
two 512Meg.

If you don't expect to ever want to use more that the 1Gig,
then the two 512Meg, would be a little better.

Luck;
Ken

There were some problems with utilizing all 4 memory slots on 939 pin
boards, but I think the new AMD chips (Venice, etc) and new MB bios' have
mostly resolved that problem. In any event, there is no evidence that more
than 1 GB (2 x 512 MB) will be needed by the OP during the life of the
machine.

Go with the 2 x 512 MB matched pair.

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

According to Corsair, their memory that is sold as matched pairs are tested
together and packaged immediately after testing. I assume that other
manufacturers who sell matched pairs do the same. If you look at memory
prices today, the "premium" for matched pairs is very small or non-existent
compared to 2 sticks of the same memory from the same manufacturer.

If the premium is non-existent fine, otherwise I'd just buy two sticks
(in the same order) from Crucial. Chances are they were also 'tested
together, packaged just after testing, etc. etc.' since that's the way
memory assembly plants work (or 'worked' since I haven't wandered round
one for ~10 years now).

If they don't work in the motherboard Crucial will swap them anyway.

 

[Mark A]

If the premium is non-existent fine, otherwise I'd just buy two sticks (in
the same order) from Crucial. Chances are they were also 'tested together,
packaged just after testing, etc. etc.' since that's the way memory
assembly plants work (or 'worked' since I haven't wandered round one for
~10 years now).

If they don't work in the motherboard Crucial will swap them anyway.

When I said tested together, I mean the two sticks in the matched pair are
tested together in dual channel mode.

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

When I said tested together, I mean the two sticks in the matched pair are
tested together in dual channel mode.

Only makes any sense if they test them in the motherboard you plan to
use them in .. of which 'not much chance'. Frankly nobody tests memory
very well (Although some do more than others) because it's easier to let
Joe User sort out the weirder errors (I mean do you know how long a full
memtest86 cycle on 1Gb takes. And no, you can't do it any faster in a
million dollar memory tester, although you can do more sticks in
parallel). 8>.)