Ram work at ddr 333 instead of ddr 400.

[I_Like_Computers]

I got 1gb of new ram for my computer. It was a ddr 400 but it says ddr 333 on bios. Is this because my CPU is to slow? It's a AMD Athlon 64 3500+. I would expect it would run the ram at its full potential since the CPU isn't that bad.

I can force my ram to ddr 400 in bios. But i'm afraid I might damage it. Need some advice on what to do.

 

[Mondoman]

This post may help: http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=1249881#1249881

 

[PX7800GT]

I got 1gb of new ram for my computer.

do you have 4 sticks of ram ?? i mean 4x256Mb DDR400...

 

[I_Like_Computers]

No. I have a single one. One 1gb PC3200 Ram.

 

[PX7800GT]

No. I have a single one. One 1gb PC3200 Ram.

...i heard that AMD64 based pc with 4 sticks of memory have the same problem ,but with one stick... ,i dont know ,maybe someone else can help but i wouldnt force them to DDR400 if i were you!

 

[Mondoman]

It's not complicated. Either it works at DDR-400 (under the manufacturer's specified settings) or it doesn't and can be returned for replacement under warranty.

 

[I_Like_Computers]

It's not complicated. Either it works at DDR-400 (under the manufacturer's specified settings) or it doesn't and can be returned for replacement under warranty.

Lol, to late for the warrenty. Hmm... Pc3200 works at ddr 400 right? I wouldn't think my CPU would be to slow. Just a thought.

 

[joex444]

The physical DIMM says either DDR400 or PC3200 on it, correct?

Then force it to run at 400MHz, using the manufacturer specified timings, then test it to make sure it is a good stick.

 

[I_Like_Computers]

How to know the Timings? I'm a newb at overclocking and memory speed.

 

[Mondoman]

How to know the Timings? ...

If they are not on the label, you will need to get them from the manufacturer's web site or technical support.

 

[sirheck]

How to know the Timings? I'm a newb at overclocking and memory speed.

you could try cpu-z.

 

[Mobius]

It doesn't matter that your memory is running at 333 speeds (PC 2700) because you fouled it by installing a single stick of RAM. Unless you have that shit-useless chipset in the early days of AMD64 that did not support dual channel, then your motherboard REQUIRES 2 sticks of memory to make the full memory bandwidth available.

DDR 400 (PC3200) in dual channel mode results in 6.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while a single stick at 333 results in 2.7 GB/s of bandwidth.

So, it's fairly safe to say that your "upgrade" did nothing except drop your memory bandwidth from 6.4 to 2.7 GB/s...

There's one born every minute, isn't there? 😵

 

[Mondoman]

sirh - CPU-Z won't tell him the *rated* timings of his module. He needs to check with the manufacturer for that.

 

[Mondoman]

...

So, it's fairly safe to say that your "upgrade" did nothing except drop your memory bandwidth from 6.4 to 2.7 GB/s...

Not so safe, M!
Assuming that he increased the total amount of RAM in the system, Windows and most apps will certainly run better, even with the reduced RAM bandwidth.

 

[tamalero]

arent all athlon 64 forced to run in pairs?? (dual channel mode)

 

[Mondoman]

Nope

 

[quantumsheep]

The physical DIMM says either DDR400 or PC3200 on it, correct?

Then force it to run at 400MHz, using the manufacturer specified timings, then test it to make sure it is a good stick.

good advice there, it should work fine. Some motherboards will auto set it to PC2700 rather than PC3200 'cos they're weird.

 

[caamsa]

Just set it in the bios that is what I had to do with my memory. It did the same thing and ran at 333 so I set it to 400.

 

[IceBlue666]

hello just set the ram speed in your bios to ddr400 it should work without any problems. I got the same problem when I upgraded to 1GB. I just had to put in ddr400 manually

 

[lurk3r]

With only one stick you will be degraded to 64 bit mode instead of 128 for dual. Your memory will still run at its rated speed (DDR 400). Most AMD boards will have issues with more than 2 sticks of DDR 400, 4 will force it to run at 333. I think I saw a few of the newer 939 boards support 4 DDR 400 chips. The bottome line is even with slower access you will still be much faster with more ram. You can greatly help out your performance later by adding a second 1 Gb DDR 400 chip in the correct slot on your MB.

 

[sirheck]

sirh - CPU-Z won't tell him the *rated* timings of his module. He needs to check with the manufacturer for that.

yeah i know. but it will tell him what they are running at.

 

[sirheck]

Assuming that he increased the total amount of RAM in the system, Windows and most apps will certainly run better, even with the reduced RAM bandwidth.

i agree. more ram is almost always better.