NF7-s 2.0 Dual Channel even with 3rd DIMM?

DenonSix · Jul 12, 2004

I currently run my NF7-S 2.0 with 2x256 PC3200@400mhz in Dual Channel mode....

I really want to upgrade to 1 Gig since Star Wars Galaxies sounds like it could really use the extra storage...

Do I have to scrap the 2x256 for 2x512 or can I just add a 512 stick (identical specs as the 2x256) in the 3rd DIMM slot?

I heard you could still run Dual Channel @ 400mhz but it will only be dual channel for the 2x256 while the other 512mb will run in regular mode @ pc3200 speeds? Is this true or am I out of luck?

The Wicker Man · Jul 12, 2004

I had 2x256 plus a 512 all in duel channell.
Dimm 1 and 2 had the 256's and the 3rd had the 512, worked great.

itim100 · Jul 13, 2004

What your actually supposed to do is just get the other 512, keeping your 2x256. Two of the slots are on one channel, and one is on the other. And for a dual channel memory configuration to be effective you need to have the same amount of ram on each channel, no matter the dimms. So you have one 512 on one channel, and 2x256=512 on the other, for 512 on each channel and 1024 total, and everything will be peachy. At least that's how its supposed to work, somebody correct me if you have found out otherwise. As long as all sticks are 3200 everything should run at 400; its not really possible for the sticks to run at separate speeds. I think the part about the 256x2 being in dual channel and then the 512 being single is erroneous: that would require 3 memory controllers!

The configuration 2x256 + 512 will run at dual channel (2x256 is on channel and 512 is the other ) at 400 mhz. You just need make sure that the 256s are in the right slots. I think they are the 2 closest to each other. So put the 256s in those two and the 512 in the other.

Its actually really nice how the 3 dimm slots accomodate upgrades like this.
I jabbered alot and if I made a mistake somewhere someone correct me.

Crumpkin · Jul 14, 2004

itim100 said:
What your actually supposed to do is just get the other 512, keeping your 2x256. Two of the slots are on one channel, and one is on the other. And for a dual channel memory configuration to be effective you need to have the same amount of ram on each channel, no matter the dimms. So you have one 512 on one channel, and 2x256=512 on the other, for 512 on each channel and 1024 total, and everything will be peachy. At least that's how its supposed to work, somebody correct me if you have found out otherwise. As long as all sticks are 3200 everything should run at 400; its not really possible for the sticks to run at separate speeds. I think the part about the 256x2 being in dual channel and then the 512 being single is erroneous: that would require 3 memory controllers!

The configuration 2x256 + 512 will run at dual channel (2x256 is on channel and 512 is the other ) at 400 mhz. You just need make sure that the 256s are in the right slots. I think they are the 2 closest to each other. So put the 256s in those two and the 512 in the other.

Its actually really nice how the 3 dimm slots accomodate upgrades like this.
I jabbered alot and if I made a mistake somewhere someone correct me.

With 3 dimms the nf7-s is only rated to ddr333 (166mgz). This is really holding me back so I hope I'm wrong, but anyone have any experience with this?

fldrice · Jul 19, 2004

I thought that as soon as the mobo detects a third dimm, it kills the dual channel.

jlin453 · Jul 19, 2004

fldrice said:
I thought that as soon as the mobo detects a third dimm, it kills the dual channel.

That's incorrect.

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=310423&highlight=dual+channel

roll+call · Jul 19, 2004

Crumpkin said:
With 3 dimms the nf7-s is only rated to ddr333 (166mgz). This is really holding me back so I hope I'm wrong, but anyone have any experience with this?

Not personally but I know someone who has. When he tried 2x256 + 1x512 (all bh5) he can't even get 200 to be error-free in memtest. Oddly, all the errors were within the first megabyte. 2x512 (bh5) could do at least 215 error-free. It was definitely not the 2x256 and he tested them w/ various 512's (including mine).
It may be different from one motherboard to another but if you've got the option best to go for the 2x512.

itim100 · Jul 20, 2004

Crumpkin, what is your source for the DDR333 rating with 3 dimms?

Its sounds like a NF7 glitch... I hate those... I wish I could test this, but I have 3x256, so the channels would be unbalanced.

I had glitches under different circumstances that kept my bh6/bh5 (don't know which) rated at 200 from doing 200 memtest error-free. I think the way I finally fixed it was a bios reset then a new bios... No combination of cas settings would help, I was highly confused.

Sorry for the misinformation ( the part about doing DDR400, the rest is fine).

I will look into it and see if any people are getting their nf7 to do 200mhz with 3 dimms.

itim100 · Jul 20, 2004

Yeah, people are doing 3 dimm dual channel at 200 and above.

This thread has a few guys in it who got it to work without any difficulty:
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=296537&page=1&pp=30

In particular note candymancan who has 3 dimms running at 210mhz in dual channel mode.

mrneed · Jul 29, 2004

i have simple tech nitro mem in all three slots 2x256 and 1 512 in dual ,all running in ddr400.i choose 3200 xp in bios which set the mem at ddr400,works great.the mem will post in ddr333 if u dont change the fsb.

NF7-s 2.0 Dual Channel even with 3rd DIMM?

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