Will using up 3 of my 4 DIMM Slots slow down the speed?

[Minimite11]

Well, i bought one of those AMD 4000+ with that new San Diego core, and i remember being told that would mean that i could use all 4 DIMM Slots and not lose any speed. Well, i had 1GB OCz Memory, and i just won 2x1GB Dual Channel memory, so now i have 3GB of memory, and 3 DIMMS, so can i put all 3 in my computer, and maintain my 2-3-2-5 PC3200 speed? My motherboard is the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum...Thanks for the help in advance

 

[mwmorph]

yes you'll run pc3200 and 1t but youll lose dual channel since you dont have a even number of ram sticks.

 

[d2arcturus]

Can Windows support more than 2GB? Anyways, you'll have to run the memory a 2T and you'll lose dual-channel. I'd stay with 2GB and sell the extra DIMM.

Edit: You sure you can run 1T with 3 DIMMs?

 

[Minimite11]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
yes you'll run pc3200 and 1t but youll lose dual channel since you dont have a even number of ram sticks.

Will losing that Dual Channel capability affect anything?

Also, all 3 of these sticks are the same, the original 1GB stick was a Dual Channel but the other stick broke, so all 3 of these sticks are the same exact model, any chance all 3 will work together, creating a Tri-Channel?

 

[dguy6789]

You will lose full dual channel ability, but do not worry or lose any sleep about it. The performance difference between dual channel and single channel is 1-3% at most. You will NEVER notice the difference, and you will definately enjoy the extra ram.

 

[shoRunner]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
You will lose full dual channel ability, but do not worry or lose any sleep about it. The performance difference between dual channel and single channel is 1-3% at most. You will NEVER notice the difference, and you will definately enjoy the extra ram.

i really doubt he'll see a significant performance boost, not many things will use or need 3GB of memory.

 

[mechBgon]

Based on reading lots of mobo owners' manuals, I don't think Socket939 can operate with three DIMMS.

 

[dguy6789]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Based on reading lots of mobo owners' manuals, I don't think Socket939 can operate with three DIMMS.

I don't see why it wouldn't. It may not run in dual channel mode, but it should be able to run.

 

[Noriaki]

Originally posted by: Minimite11
any chance all 3 will work together, creating a Tri-Channel?

There is no such beast. The Athlon64 memory controller supports 2 channels, this is not a variable (although obviously one of them can be empty so it can run single channel).

At least one Socket939 board I've looked at warns against using 3 DIMMs.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: dguy6789

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Based on reading lots of mobo owners' manuals, I don't think Socket939 can operate with three DIMMS.

I don't see why it wouldn't. It may not run in dual channel mode, but it should be able to run.

Just picking one I've already addressed for someone: Gigabyte example

 

[bob4432]

just use the 2x1GB and be happy with that. i doubt you would need 3GB and i also am not sure how/if it would work well. sell the other 1GB stick, and how did the other one break?

 

[Noriaki]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: dguy6789

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Based on reading lots of mobo owners' manuals, I don't think Socket939 can operate with three DIMMS.

I don't see why it wouldn't. It may not run in dual channel mode, but it should be able to run.

Just picking one I've already addressed for someone: Gigabyte example

In case you are interested the MSi K8N Neo2 Platinum has a chart similar to fig.1 (it's even freely available on the product info website, you dodn't even need to go to the manual for it, including the note about not supporting 3 DIMMs at all.

So that's two.

 

[Joepublic2]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Based on reading lots of mobo owners' manuals, I don't think Socket939 can operate with three DIMMS.

Earlier 130nm socket 939 processors couldn't. It can if the processor is a D or later core revision, which his is. See section 4 of the AMD system and bios developers guide.

http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content...e/white_papers_and_tech_docs/26094.PDF

 

[Minimite11]

I am completely confused by all of this, but i put in all 3 dimms and my computer is working fine...BUT Counter-Strike: Source will not work properly, it keeps freezing once i get ingame, if i take out 2 dimms and leave just 1, it works fine, but it doesnt even work if i leave 2 dimms in there, only 1...what should i do?

 

[Minimite11]

OK, i pulled out my motherboard manual, and heres what it says...

There is a table that looks like this:

---GREEN--------PURPLE-------GREEN--------PURPLE----------------------
DIMM (CH A)|DIMM (CH B) | DIMM (CH A)| DIMM (CH B)| System Density
128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | -----------------|------------------| 256MB~2GB
------------------|-------------------| 128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | 256MB~2GB
128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | 512MB~4GB

***MSI Reminds You...

-Dual-channel DDR works only in the 3 combinations listed in the table as below
-Please select the identical memory modules to install on the dual channel, and do not install 3 memory modules on terr dimms, or it may cause some failure
-Always insert memory modules into green slots first, and it is strongly recommended not to insert the memory modules into the purple slots while the green slots are left empty

I cant make 2 cents out of any of this...it says install on green first, but the 3 combinations on the table show that dual channel goes in green and purple...

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Minimite11
OK, i pulled out my motherboard manual, and heres what it says...

There is a table that looks like this:

---GREEN--------PURPLE-------GREEN--------PURPLE----------------------
DIMM (CH A)|DIMM (CH B) | DIMM (CH A)| DIMM (CH B)| System Density
128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | -----------------|------------------| 256MB~2GB
------------------|-------------------| 128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | 256MB~2GB
128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | 512MB~4GB

***MSI Reminds You...

-Dual-channel DDR works only in the 3 combinations listed in the table as below
-Please select the identical memory modules to install on the dual channel, and do not install 3 memory modules on terr dimms, or it may cause some failure
-Always insert memory modules into green slots first, and it is strongly recommended not to insert the memory modules into the purple slots while the green slots are left empty

I cant make 2 cents out of any of this...it says install on green first, but the 3 combinations on the table show that dual channel goes in green and purple...

what is so hard, you put 1 the first green and 1 in the first purple and you have 2GB running in dual channel. don't use the extra one you have, it obviously doesn't work correctly. either use 2 or 4 dimm or 1 single (probably the first green) if you only have one. the only time i ever used 3 dimms was on the old machines, like a 1GHz Athlon or a nforce 2 board. save yourself the time and headache and sell the extra dimm.

what are you using the computer for? you more than likely only need 2GB at the very most as most peeps are running 1GB fine with all the latest games including bf2 with high settings (gpu allowing).

3GB means nothing if you don't need it and it won't work:roll:

 

[Ike0069]

It tells you right in the instructions not to use 3 dimms so I don't understand why you tried it. It's possible you've permanetely damaged the board.
In fact, every S939 board I've seen has this warning.

Quote from DFI NF4 Ultra manual.

Q: Why will the board fail to boot when 3 Dimms re used?

A: The integrated memory controller in AMD's 64-bit socket 939 series CPU supports dual channel however the controller is not capable of accurately distinguishing detween dual and single channels resulting to boot up problem. If you have luckily booted the system, the total memory size detected is from 2 Dimms only, not 3. Therefore we do not suggest using 3 Dimms.

 

[madthumbs]

I'm using 3 sticks in an Asus A8V Deluxe. Reports all memory, and runs smoother with the 512 added to 1024.

 

[mechBgon]

Reality > *

*note to self, it is technically possible in at least some cases*

 

[Cheezeit]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Reality > *

*note to self, it is technically possible in at least some cases*

I agree. 2 gigs is ovekill enough, and an extra 1 gig would not help at all, i think it would lose performance from dual channel and 1t

 

[Noriaki]

Originally posted by: Minimite11
OK, i pulled out my motherboard manual, and heres what it says...

There is a table that looks like this:

---GREEN--------PURPLE-------GREEN--------PURPLE----------------------
DIMM (CH A)|DIMM (CH B) | DIMM (CH A)| DIMM (CH B)| System Density
128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | -----------------|------------------| 256MB~2GB
------------------|-------------------| 128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | 256MB~2GB
128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | 128MB~1GB | 512MB~4GB

***MSI Reminds You...

-Dual-channel DDR works only in the 3 combinations listed in the table as below
-Please select the identical memory modules to install on the dual channel, and do not install 3 memory modules on terr dimms, or it may cause some failure
-Always insert memory modules into green slots first, and it is strongly recommended not to insert the memory modules into the purple slots while the green slots are left empty

I cant make 2 cents out of any of this...it says install on green first, but the 3 combinations on the table show that dual channel goes in green and purple...

If you are using only 1 stick, use a green. If you are using 2 sticks use a matched pair of green and purple. It's telling you not to use a purple by itself. The wording could be a bit clearer, I imagine.

 

[Noriaki]

Originally posted by: Minimite11
I am completely confused by all of this, but i put in all 3 dimms and my computer is working fine...BUT Counter-Strike: Source will not work properly, it keeps freezing once i get ingame, if i take out 2 dimms and leave just 1, it works fine, but it doesnt even work if i leave 2 dimms in there, only 1...what should i do?

Where the 2 you left both in purple slots, both in green slots, or one each?

It should be one each, and also they should be the ones on one side, dont' use the ones in the middle or the ones on the edges, even though they are opposite colours.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Noriaki

Originally posted by: Minimite11
I am completely confused by all of this, but i put in all 3 dimms and my computer is working fine...BUT Counter-Strike: Source will not work properly, it keeps freezing once i get ingame, if i take out 2 dimms and leave just 1, it works fine, but it doesnt even work if i leave 2 dimms in there, only 1...what should i do?

Where the 2 you left both in purple slots, both in green slots, or one each?

It should be one each, and also they should be the ones on one side, dont' use the ones in the middle or the ones on the edges, even though they are opposite colours.

exacty, using this pic as reference put the 2 sticks (not 3!!!!!) into the first two slots next to the cpu. don't use the 3rd stick damnit!!!:| noobs....more is not always better...

 

[Joepublic2]

Originally posted by: Minimite11
I am completely confused by all of this, but i put in all 3 dimms and my computer is working fine...BUT Counter-Strike: Source will not work properly, it keeps freezing once i get ingame, if i take out 2 dimms and leave just 1, it works fine, but it doesnt even work if i leave 2 dimms in there, only 1...what should i do?

Make sure the two DIMMs are in the right slots. Also, I think that the San Diego core can use 4 ranks of ram per channel at 200Mhz, but it still has to drop down to 2T timings. The cpu will configure two 64 bit wide memory channels and disable dual channel operation with 3 DIMMs installed. One channel will have 4 ranks, the other 2. So run http://www.memtest.org/ with the 3 DIMMs installed at 2T bus turnaround. Also, make sure your timings are set correctly.

 

[Minimite11]

Well i didnt read the manual at first, and plus i never had any problems...it read it as 3GB, and i had no errors what so ever...