P4S533 - 6 banks at PC2700?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Matt
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M

Matt

Hello.
I have an Asus P4S533 (an older version, the original). Currently I have two
512MB PC2700 modules installed. I understand this means I have 4 banks of
RAM installed.

There is another slot for memory on the motherboard. However, the manual
states that only 4 banks of RAM may be installed while running at PC2700
speeds. To use 5 or 6 banks, the manual states only PC2100 speeds may be
used.

I really want to add another module to my motherboard while remaining at
PC2700, however this would certainly mean using 5 or 6 total banks. My
question is, has anyone who owns this motherboard tried using more than 4
banks at PC2700 speed on this motherboard? I've talked to some memory
manufactures and they suggested it may actually be possible -- they've seen
it work on some motherboards. So hopefully someone out there has tried on
this particular board.

Thanks for any input! Matt
 
Wrong. One bank of RAM equals one RAM slot equals one stick of RAM.
Click to expand...

Notice the "single rank" and "dual rank" terminology on this page ?
Of course there are both types. The word rank is used to avoid
confusion with bank, as bank is a term used for the internal
architecture of the RAM chips.

Micron DDR modules page:
http://www.micron.com/products/modu...count=184-pin&version=Unbuffered&package=DIMM

Single rank (bank) memory - Page 6:
http://download.micron.com/pdf/datasheets/modules/ddr/DDA8C16_32_64x64AG.pdf

Dual rank (bank) memory - Page 6. Equals two instances of single bank
memory, with data busses and address busses joined appropriately.
http://download.micron.com/pdf/datasheets/modules/ddr/DDA16C32_64_128x64AG.pdf

As to the OP - if you want to try configurations outside what
the manufacturer recommends, go right ahead. Sometimes you
get lucky. Even if someone else posts that it works for them,
that doesn't guarantee it'll work for you anyway.

If you were determined to see this work, replacing the memory
with 3 x 512MB single sided DIMMs, or replacing one of your
DIMMs with a 1GB dual sided DIMM, would be expensive ways to
get 1.5GB of memory and stay within the rules. I doubt you'll
be happy with the prices, if you price this out:

http://www.crucial.com/store/listpa...erboards&mfr=ASUS&cat=&model=P4S533&submit=Go

If you click on one of the sticks of memory listed on that page,
you'll see this info:

"Important information about your system
This motherboard supports a maximum of 3GB of memory when
using PC2100 or slower memory. When using PC2700 or faster
the motherboard only supports two modules at that speed for
a maximum of 2GB. If 3 PC2700 parts are installed, they
operate at 266 MHz."

Now, if "operate" means the BIOS enforces the rule, without
allowing the user to change it, you'd be stuck. And looking
in Google, I cannot tell whether that is the case or not.
Maybe you could borrow a stick for long enough to find out.
If the manual adjustment is available, then let the experiments
begin.

HTH,
Paul
 
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