DDR2 Ram 800Mhz and DDR2 1066Mhz in same Mobo...?

[csw1701]

Hello,

Hi, Bought some new ram, but encountering problems, can anyone help?

Motherboard is Asrock/Asus – K10N78 , Chipset is Nvidia Geforce 8200. Processor is an AMD Athlon 2 X4 635 and looking at the AMD website, it says that it is compatible with DDR2 (1066mhz) RAM

Computer has 4 DDR2 DIMM slots which can operate to a maximum of 1066mhz. The computer originally had 2 x 2 GB 800 MHz sticks in which have been working fine. I wanted another 4 GB and bought 2 x 2 GB 1066 MHz sticks. Tried to install them last night and with all 4 in, I got no signal to my tv/monitor but computer still booted up…

Then tried only the 1066Mhz sticks in computer and still got no signal (but comp booted), reverted back to the 800Mhz only and everything works fine again…

I thought it might be the RAM that you can’t mix both 800 & 1066, but I’ve read that the computer will just underclock the 1066 to 800… Is that right?

I been poking around in the BIOS, and noticed that my Memory Clock is set at DDR2 800 Mhz (or 400Mhz), I can change the values lower, auto or up to 1066 (533) but am to scared in case the computer goes bang…

It might just be easier to send them back and get 800MHz instead, but involves sending back to USA, etc…

Further to the above:

I gave it another go last night, by the sounds of it, it was my BIOS preventing detecting the extra RAM.
I set the Memory Clock option to "Auto" and another option called "Flexibility Option" to Enabled. Once I did this, it detected the 1066MHz RAM but underclocked it to 800MHz, which was fine.
I then booted into Windows and it was registering 8GB. So I fired up FFXIV to see what the performance was like. I then got the BSOD. I couldn't check what the error was as my computer reset too quickly.
However then there was then no signal to the monitor/tv and the CAPS/NUM/SCRL lock lights were then flashing together about every 5 seconds.
Took the 1066's back out and everything works again now...
I'm not looking to overclock the machine, just want 8GB...
There are 4 DIMM slots on mobo, two orange, two yellow. Do I put both 800 MHz in orange and 1066 in yellow is that correct?

 

[suat]

Check voltages for your RAM sticks, both 800 MHz and 1066 MHz. They should have the same value. If they differ considerably, you cannot run them together. If you set DRAM voltage in BIOS to the stick requiring higher voltage, you may damage that requiring lower voltage. Conversely, if you set DRAM voltage to the stick requiring lower voltage, then the other stick will be unstable and result in BSOD.

Frequencies do not matter as the high frequency sticks will work at reduced clock rates.

 

[csw1701]

Thanks for coming back to me saut...

I've checked the voltage of both sets of RAM and they are both 1.8v... I'm beginning to think its the RAM itself... Perhaps I need to send it back...

 

[jaquith]

^ Disagree (suat).

Welcome to Tom's Forums!

DO NOT MIX-MATCH RAM {Speed, CAS, Voltage, and/or Type}. Pretty certain your manual also states the same.

Match the "computer originally had 2 x 2 GB 800 MHz sticks" RAM; either by EXACT Part-Number or if necessary {Speed, CAS, Voltage, and/or Type}; Example Current = 800 CAS 5-5-5-27 @ 1.5V then ditto with the second set.

Also, ONLY get RAM that is either Certified via {QVL} Supported Memory List <or> Tested via the RAM Mfg's website -> use Configuration tools.

Not ALL RAM IC's are compatible with different MOBO's; hence the list. You 'might' be able to get the NEW RAM to work if you install it where the OLD RAM was AND Clear CMOS; if it fails then you have indeed incompatible RAM.

Please list both the NEW & OLD RAM part-numbers and/or links. e.g. CMX8GX3M4A1600C9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145261 If you don't know then D/L CPUz http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Good Luck!

 

[suat]

jaquith,

You are very kind and knowledgeable. You have a very soft tone of voice in your arguments, as I sense it. Your disagreement with me is highly welcomed. I enjoy reading your posts very much. You take the time and care to include the information to the last detail in your posts.

Have a nice day.

 

[csw1701]

Hi jaquith

Thanks for your reply, I'm unable to locate the RAM I bought on the website you gave me, but got them from Amazon Marketplace, and the link is:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DDR2-DIMM-1066Mhz-8500-MOTHERBOARDS/dp/B0032CQYMQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=computers&qid=1289560780&sr=8-1

The PC came with the original 800mhz from Ebay, but isn't that informative...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMD-QUAD-CORE-COMPUTER-1TB-4GB-9400GT-1GB-GAL-PC-/140377826970?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item20af2ba69a

I will download this cpuid tonight and check for certain, however I can't guarantee it will work on the 1066 sticks, i.e. above problem

 

[jaquith]

Check voltages for your RAM sticks, both 800 MHz and 1066 MHz. They should have the same value. If they differ considerably, you cannot run them together. If you set DRAM voltage in BIOS to the stick requiring higher voltage, you may damage that requiring lower voltage. Conversely, if you set DRAM voltage to the stick requiring lower voltage, then the other stick will be unstable and result in BSOD.

Frequencies do not matter as the high frequency sticks will work at reduced clock rates.

Softness...hmm?

800 5-5-5-28 @1.3V
1066 6-7-6-27 @1.5V
===============
800 6-7-6-28 @ 1.4V = the WORST of each compared set and average of voltage; if you're really lucky. RAM typically has a ±0.3V operational range.

 

[jaquith]

I will download this cpuid tonight and check for certain, however I can't guarantee it will work on the 1066 sticks, i.e. above problem

The easiest is from the SPD tab as above, and I or anyone needs: Part-Number & JDEC #4 set all of it. Best case is as I replied above 'worst' of each.

BTW - there is NO guarantee and at best it will be Jerry-Rigged and you will be required to Manually enter ALL values in the BIOS: Speed = 800 MHz, CAS taking the worst, and set the DRAM Voltage trying Average Voltage.

I am going to be gone most of the day in about 30 minutes I'm leaving.

 

[jaquith]

I'm in a rush this AM...

 

[jaquith]

Daughter had double laser lasiks yesterday and I'm doing my wife's job, she's leaving to to doctors with my daughter. Last week wife had surgery - going nuts today.

 

[sportsfanboy]

My take on this is... If the modules run smooth individually then you can run both sets at the slower modules speed rating, timings/voltage. What works works, as long as your within specs, not overvolting or running the slower of the two faster than rated, I don't see a problem.

 

[csw1701]

Hi sportsfanboy
Yeah, when the mobo did recognise them, it underclocked them to 800Mhz which I thought was fine. There's no overclocking happening.
I've also been told that Win XP 64 bit is quite unstable, how true this is I don't know...

 

[jaquith]

^ Yes the drivers are horrible with XP x64, get Win 7 64-bit.

 

[sportsfanboy]

The thing is... Matching memory is ideal, no doubt, however if everything is running smooth and stable, I see no reason to change as long as your happy with the performance you getting.

I have never run XP 64 bit, but I heard driver support is somewhat lacking.

 

[jaquith]

That's why I posted the BIOS {settings} needed to run if it can indeed run.

Next run Memtest for at least 2 passes.

BTW - if you mess up the BIOS then either Clear BIOS or Load Optimized/Defaults.

 

[hell_storm2004]

^ Disagree (suat).

Even i knew that it downclocked automatically, although being unstable, but it works.

 

[csw1701]

I do have a copy of Win 7 and have been thinking of changing over, but just love the simplicity of XP.

Will this help in my extra RAM (1066 working) or we still trying to establish whether the ram stick are compatible?

 

[jaquith]

^+1 Windows anything + RAM; assuming you are not using some BIOS invading App(s).

Example - if you're getting errors from Memtest then Windows is not your problem; Memtest circumvents Windows. It runs off a bootable CD/DVD; Memtest86+ create a bootable CD/DVD use ISO/zip file - http://www.memtest.org/