Confirm RAM compatibility

[nokia6190]

I read the Memory FAQ sticky, but I'm still confused. Can someone can tell me whether my PC133 SD-RAM will work with this new motherboard? Thanks in advance!

Gigabyte GA 945P-S3

On that page in the memory section, it says:

1. 4 DDR II DIMM memory slots (supports up to 4GB memory)
2. Supports 1.8V DDR II DIMM
3. Supports dual channel DDR II 667/533/400 DIMM

 

[db101]

I fear that your PC133 SDRAM won't work on that motherboard. SDRAM sticks have only 168 pins, whereas DDR2 memory slots will only accept RAM that has 240 pins.

Here are a few links for you to see what you might need. Are you thinking about overclocking your system? If not, you could go with the DDR2 533 RAM instead of these, but they aren't much cheaper. Oh why does RAM have to be so expensive?

G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231106

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146580

 

[nokia6190]

I'm up in Canada, so I don't think I can order from NewEgg.

I was thinking about this pair of 512MB Corsair RAM sticks from TigerDirect:

Corsair TWINX 1GB PC5400 DDR2 RAM

Do you think these would be good for a gaming rig?

Thanks for the fast reply!

 

[db101]

First off, I know there are some people here who would swear that you should get one 1GB stick instead of two 512MB sticks. This way you would have more RAM slots open for future expansion. I agree with them, but it's not a horribly huge deal, IMO. Both have their ups and downs, because you can run two in dual-channel mode for better performance, but you can't have (overall) as much memory. If you get a 1GB stick now, and another later then you can have 2GB in dual-channel. Think about getting a 1GB stick instead of two halves, so that way you won't max out your RAM at 2GB in the future. This is something to think about for games that love RAM (see: Battlefront 2).

Also, some places I've seen list the Corsair TWINX sticks that you've chosen run at 1.9v instead of the 1.8v that the motherboard says it needs. From what I understand, this is okay, but from what I've heard you might need to buy another (cheap) stick of, say, 128 or 256MB ram that can run at 1.8v in order to start up the computer. Once it starts booting, you'll have to go into the BIOS and change the RAM voltages so that the 1.9v sticks will work on your motherboard, shut it down again and then you can put these sticks in.

Here's one that seems to have good reviews over at trusty newegg, and looks like it runs at 1.8v (so you won't have to hassle with the paragraph above):

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2458715&Tab=0&NoMapp=0

It's a little more expensive than the one you've picked out, so if you want to look around for another 2x512MB kit that has 1.8v, that would work just as well!

Cheers.

 

[nokia6190]

Hmm... I looked at the Corsair website, and that particular pair I wanted requires 1.9V. Damn. :x

How can I make my motherboard supply 1.9V to the RAM when its listed as supporting only 1.8V ? Like, how is this possible? If it says it can support only 1.8V, how can a BIOS setting make it support 1.9? :?:

 

[db101]

Hmm I must have not sleuthed that RAM enough.

I looked all over the forum, because I'm sure I've seen the answer to your question, but I can't seem to find the thread giving step-by-step directions to switching 1.8v to 1.9v. From what I understand, it's not too difficult though. Like I said before, you would need a stick that runs at 1.8v (so the machine can turn on) and then simply enter the BIOS and look under the RAM options. It's different for each motherboard, I can't remember exactly what mine is called, but anyway. There should be an option to change your RAM voltages - just bump it up from 1.8v to 1.9v, save the change, and turn off your computer. Then when you stick in the 1.9v sticks, it will supply the necessary power for the RAM and you computer can boot normally.

I'm sorry nobody else is jumping in, as I'm no RAM master. However, I hear that Kingston typically makes very stable memory, so I looked around their website and found something that operates at 1.8v, you might be able to use if you want to spring for it:

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/PartsInfo.asp?root=us&LinkBack=http://www.kingston.com&ktcpartno=KVR667D2N5/1G

And I couldn't find it at digerdirect.ca, but here are some links to some other vendors that are (?) up in the ye old north:

Canada RAM
NCIX

 

[TabrisDarkPeace]

No you don't.

As single 2.2 V DIMM will boot at 1.8 V fine.
Two of them on the other hand....


So what you do is:
1) Install 1 DIMM
2) Set VDIMM to 1.9 - 2.2 Volts
3) Save BIOS & Power off
4) Install 2nd DIMM in Dual-Channel enabling slot
5) Cold boot with 2 x DIMMs at the certified VDIMM

It isn't that hard.

I needed to do this to get my G.Skill DDR2-800 (PC2-6400) [black heatspreader / EMI shield] to work at 2.1 [Volts] VDIMM.

It is standard procedure when overclocking and/or building a 'tweaked' rig.

On the Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 you should be able to see, under MIT in the BIOS main menu (failing that Try Ctrl+F1 or Ctrl+F6 at main menu, then recheck sub menu) an option to increase VDIMM up to 2.1 Volts (at least).

I run the GA-965P-DQ6, the BIOS is almost identical, but the VRM options I have are more granular (eg: +/- 0.05 Volts vs +/- 0.1 Volts).

I'd recommend 1.95 Volts if possible on VDIMM for 1.9 - 2.0 Volt Corsair though - regardless.

You could just download the manual (PDF) for the Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 and see what it supports.

 

[db101]

Ah, my bad. So you don't need a "special" stick to boot up at 1.8v in order to get into the BIOS that first time? I can't remember where I heard that, but I seem to have it stuck in my memory somewhere. :?

 

[TabrisDarkPeace]

Even so having a really cheap (read: lowest capacity) DIMM available with very short timings at the standard voltage (1.8 VDIMM for DDR2) on hand is always useful.

Although holding [Insert] during a cold boot often has the same effect (eg: If you push timings so hard the PC can not POST, or voltage is too low, etc).

Pretty much every RAM stick on the market will boot if installed in Slot DIMM1, by itself, regardless of voltage.

However I would not install an OS while running 1 DIMM at sub-standard voltage, files would get corrupt in transit (from media to ram to disk).

.... thus the procedure.

 

[nokia6190]

I read the manual, and it says it has an option ("DIMM OverVoltage Control") to increase voltage by +0.1V to +0.6V.

It didn't say what the maximum supported voltage is though.

TabrisDarkPeace: Why is 1.95V better if the RAM requires 1.9V ?

Thanks for everyone's help - I really appreciate it!

 

[TabrisDarkPeace]

+0.1 to +0.6 V means it can run at:


1.8 Volts = The default for DDR2
1.9 Volts = + 0.1
2.0 Volts = +0.2
2.1 Volts = +0.3
2.3 Volts = +0.4
2.4 Volts = +0.5
2.5 Volts = +0.6


It is better to run 1.9 Volt rated RAM at 1.95 Volts, since it is normally rated as 1.9 to 2.0 Volts, ie: 1.95 Volts +/- 0.05 Volts.

However most mainboard manufacturers calibrate 1.90 Volts as closer to 1.93 Volts anyway, since it makes the board look more overclockable and thus increases sales.

 

[nokia6190]

oooooooooh i see.

thank-you so much for the help!

 

[s18000rpm]

Hello everyone, i'm from India, & i've bought this Intel DG965WH Motherboard & 1GB Corsair RAM (DDR2 Twin2X1024A-6400 800MHz / CM2X512A-6400) from USA.(thru a frnd)

but after some re-searching in Intel's site, i came to know that DG965WH mobo supports upto 1.8Volts, & this 512x2 Sticks are @ 1.9Volts.

So can you guys please help me in resolving this issue.

please guys, i'm a noob when it comes to BIOS & tweaking stuffs. please provide me HELP with step by step procedure.

i cannot return this RAM sticks, coz it'll take another 2-3months.

if you guys need any further info on this(RAM model...), please tell me