Twice nVidia Pairs of Memory Slots?

[MegalosSkylaki]

Most nFORCE2 mobos have three memory slots.

To benifit from double memory, they require one module on one side and the matching module on the the other.

However, I've noticed some mid- to Hi end Mobos have, say, a blue-green on one side and a blue-green on the other .

Does this denote TWO pairs of matching memory slots ?

Would fillling all four slots with 512 DDR Modules give you 2 g of "double memory" ? In other words, 1024Mb + 1024 Mb of matched memory, with Double memory" function intact?

MegalosSkylaki

[Scott Tiger]

No, the NForce2 boards don't quite work that way.

If you have four memory slots on an NForce2 board then both the 3rd and 4th slot must use identical sticks of ram that are SINGLE-SIDED. If you can meet that requirement then, yes, you can have 2gb of ram. If you can't then it won't boot.

If you want more info I'll Google you a link or two.

[ArcticFox]

Which brings me to the rant about why I think the nForce2's RAM situation is bogus. 2 dual-channel slots only? What a crock! I have an Asus A7N8X Deluxe with two 256MB sticks, and I still haven't figured out why nVidia couldn't just do what the P4 platform does and have four slots. 2GB RAM? Hell yeah.......

[MegalosSkylaki]

So Scott Tiger do I understand that a 4-slot nForce2 Mobo wil only accomadate 6 memory banks, with two double-sided (2 X two bank) modules on one side and two single -sided (2 X1) on the other?

Four banks on one side and two banks on the other?

So woud the Mbs in toto on the 2-bank side equal the 4 banks in toto? Or would you have twice the RAM on one side if you use identical RAM?

This indeed confusing

Wow, I would apprecite some linkeys as I am looking at a 4 slot Giga-byte Ga-7NOO [?]Pro Mobo with a green = blue on eith side of the 2 dueces of memory slots.

ThanX,
DOOOG

[MegalosSkylaki]

Doh !

Let me resolve the above confusion.

Here's what I want to know.

If I load all four memory slots with identical 512 PC2700 double-sided RAM, would I still enjoy Both the Double Channel memory feature of the nForce2 chipset AND the benifits of 2 G RAM ?

ThanX,
DOOG

P.S. This is applicable only to the less common 4-mem-slot nForce2 Mobos, not the more Typical 2 + 1 slot nForce2 Mobos.

PPS Double-sided RAM = 2 Banks
Single-sided RAM = one Bank

[Xtreeme]

Alright some confusion here. First if its like mine. Asus A7n8x deluxe. It has persay 3 slots. Two black one blue. Blue is for singel me stick use it denotes Dimm 1. The rest are bank 2 and 3. You can use two combo's for duel channel. Dimm 1 and 2 or 2 and 3. 1 and 3 will make it run in single ch. Why? Welp. dimm 1 and dimm3 ARE on the same mem controler. Dimm 2 is on second mem controler. Now more confusion-max mem capacity. M ine (ant speak for all NF2 baords) has a max of 1 gig per slot. Thats 3gig not 2 total like mentioned above. 3 slots 1gig per ='s 3 gig max. With stick in all 3. Say 1 gig each. Dimm 1 and 2 will be in dual ch mode-dimm 3 will be coupled to same mem cotroler 1 as dimm 1 is. That help? Oh and gains in duel are like notta. Its due to A) Xp dont need more bandwidth its 10 stages and very bus efficient. B) the second mem controler in NF2 boards ONLY GUESSES at what data the cpu asks for next. Its not a garunteed full time duel operation. Only when it PREDICTS the next data needed. Rest time its just in dumb mode. So dont bother worrying about it. Want 3 gig-just stick 3 1 gigers in there.

[MegalosSkylaki]

that does make it a lot clearer, Xtreem

But the NFS has just three Memory slots. Some Mobos have have Four.

Like Blue-green pair and another Blue-green pair.

So does thios suggest that both Greenies are on one Memory controller and both Blues are on another Mem controller?

If that be so, my less expensive project of avoiding 1 giggers, and using four double-sided 512 Mbs RAM modules would then give me 1 G on Blue and one G on Green +2 G's.

This assumes that the Mobo can handle the EIGHT banks this would require.

Maybey, only six memory banks are supported, which would require two single-sided Modules.

Makes sense or No ?

[Xtreeme]

Nf2 chipset is very new chipset to the socket A platform. Since mine supports 3x1gig it obviously supports high density mem. So dont worry about single sided vs duel sided mem. Thats just high vs. low density. Problem of past chipsets not really current ones.

Now for the four slot mobo's. Ill honestly have to look it up. BUT going on how the nf2 chipset is setup it would lead one to assume that two green are on one controler the two blue on other. Like for instance this wouldnt make sense at all....

Dimm 1, 3 and 4 on mem controler 1
Dimm 2 on mem controler 2

This makes much more sense and is just as feasible engineering wise Id think,

Dimm 1 and 3 run by mem controler 1
Dimm 2 and 4 run by mem controler 2

I'll have to confirm though.

[Xtreeme]

Somthing to note though. I have found a "few" board that only take 2xddr400 sticks regardless. They were via's chipsets though. Kt400 I think. OS it wont effect you. Just somthing to note though is that speed sometimes throws all that dimm compat out the window. NF2 as far as I know has no such limitations but I could be wrong!

[MegalosSkylaki]

Yes, I thought myself of posting a warning about assuming all nForce2 Mobos were "Dual-channel Memery" as some entry level Mobos with this chipset are NOT --yet might be purchased in the assuption that they are.

In regards to the GA 4-slot Mobo, it is set-up Green +Blue {BREAK} green + Blue [the colors may be reversed], so that would put DIMM 1 (Green) and DIMM 3 (Green) on one Mem controller and DIMM2 (Blue) + DIMM 4(Blue) on the second Memory controller.

This is my guess, based on what you've written.
So this might make it possible to use all four slots in a 2 X 512 + 2 X 512 = 1024 Configuration.

The "banks" issue might not be a non-issue if the chipset or BIOS can support only 6 banks., for example.

I believe the Hi-density memory refers to those with a multiplier of 4 -- nForce2 will NOT support such hi-density configurations.

Most Mobos of any pursuasion have difficulty with this kind of memory. Some of the Abits KT266 can use it though.

DOOOOG