Memory Upgrade question

[Dot.com Cowboy]

Guys,

Question for you. I currently have 1 Gig of Corsair XMS ram in 2 512MB modules, but I only have one slot remaining in my NF7 Nvidia Nforce2 motherboard. The board says it can handle up to 3 gig's of Ram so expaning should't be a problem.

My problem is I'm not sure which exact corair ram module to purchase. Because I have two matching pairs currently am I able to add a single stick of 1 Gig and have my system work?

From my current ram, here's what I have now. I've listed everything off the ram module to be sure I didn't miss anything.

- Twinx 2x 512MB (1 gig total)
- Part number CMX - 3200LLPT
- XMS3200
- 400 MHZ 2226 - t1
- XMS3205 v1.1
- 0316081

I have an Amd 2500 barton core CPU slightly overlocked at 1.9Ghz.

So what 1 gig ram module do I need to purchase to bring my system to 2 gig's total and yet have it compatible with my current ram settings? I'd love to get the exact part number today so I can order it from NewEgg ASAP. Would be cool to have it before the weekend so I can play Battlefield 2. (that's what's driving this upgrade BTW)

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Here's the module I'm thinking of purchasing: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16820145560

[grim reaper]

Your current RAM runs at 2-2-2-6 1T

You won't find any 1gb sticks that run at that, the best tend to run at 2-3-3-6.

However I don't think upgrading your ram would help you much. The rest of your system realy needs to be upgraded too.

[Dot.com Cowboy]

Grim, the rest of my sytems needs to be upgraded? I'll politely disagree. I've got almost a 5,000 3d2005 mark score with no video card overclocking. The GF 6800GT is the most current (bar the Ultra) video card Nvida has to offer.

But thanks for the ram tips.

[grim reaper]

I wasn't talking about your vid card, I have a 6800gt and its certainly quick.

The athlon Xp's are old now, the A64 are alot better for gaming.

GF 6800GT is the most current (bar the Ultra) video card Nvida has to offer.

The 7800gtx has just come out, this is the quickest card NV offer.

[Caslon]

Originally Posted by Dot.com Cowboy

Guys,

Question for you. I currently have 1 Gig of Corsair XMS ram in 2 512MB modules, but I only have one slot remaining in my NF7 Nvidia Nforce2 motherboard. The board says it can handle up to 3 gig's of Ram so expaning should't be a problem.

My problem is I'm not sure which exact corair ram module to purchase. Because I have two matching pairs currently am I able to add a single stick of 1 Gig and have my system work?

From my current ram, here's what I have now. I've listed everything off the ram module to be sure I didn't miss anything.

- Twinx 2x 512MB (1 gig total)
- Part number CMX - 3200LLPT
- XMS3200
- 400 MHZ 2226 - t1
- XMS3205 v1.1
- 0316081

I have an Amd 2500 barton core CPU slightly overlocked at 1.9Ghz.

So what 1 gig ram module do I need to purchase to bring my system to 2 gig's total and yet have it compatible with my current ram settings? I'd love to get the exact part number today so I can order it from NewEgg ASAP. Would be cool to have it before the weekend so I can play Battlefield 2. (that's what's driving this upgrade BTW)

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Here's the module I'm thinking of purchasing: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16820145560

Cowboy:

Most major motherboard sites list compatible ram for maximum stability. Asus site does. Not sure if your mb site lists compatible slot upgrade.
I understand what you are asking. I wondered same.
First, go to www [your motherboard] .com site and see if they list adding
same additional ram in that 3rd slot.

Or..try this site and register for free and ask. list all your specs. Find your way to the memory area of the site.

http://abxzone.com

Click Forums at top of page area and go to AMD or Memory section. You need to register to post..takes a few minutes.

[Dot.com Cowboy]

Thnaks guys. I did some research and ordered two 1 Gig sticks of Corsair Xtrement DDR (400MHZ) memory from NewEgg. I'll swap out my current ram and keep them for spares.

So I'll have 2 gig's total of fast memory and things should speed up nicely.

Thanks again for all your assistance.

[Dot.com Cowboy]

OK, lol I need your advice / help again. My memory arrived today. With my computer powered off and unplugged, I pulled out my old memory and replaced both modules with the new matching pair. I went to boot up and nothing the computer didn't even post. Thinking they weren't seated right I removed them and re-sat them exactly how my old memory was set up. Still nothing.

I then put back my old memory in, exactly how it was before and now it won't POST either.

So I completely unplugged my computer, checked all connections, even removed the CMOS battery for 5 minutes to clear everything and then put the old memory back in, and it still won't post.

So my computer is now DOA.

What could have caused this? It was working fine last night. I guess it could have just crashed, my hardrives are a few years old now.

The only think I can think of is I had my computer slightly overclocked, just 100MHZ for the CPU and I had my old memory set at 'Optimal' for timings. Nothing radical, all done through the Abit's memory management program available at boot up in the CMOS.

Could I have possibly fired my computer by putting in the new memory which has slight different timings, while the CMOS still had the old memory timings with the slight OC on them? I would think RAM, especially when it's a complete replace would notify the computer upon boot up of it's new timings and capacity.

When it first began booting with the new ram, I smelled smoke as well, but I thought that was just the smell of the new ram getting power to it. (It wasn't smoking, but rather I just smelled a tiny bit of a burning smell.)

What did I do wrong here you think?

I'm taking it to the computer shop tomorrow morning and they'll charge me $75 probablly just to look at it.

Well serves me right I guess for frying my computer (worth around $1,000 now) when all I wanted to do was upgrade the friggin ram.

[grim reaper]

First thing clear the CMOS.

Instead of removing the battery there will be a jumper you have to move. Look in the mobo manual to find where. Move it, leave it for a few min, swap it back then power on.

Check what slots your mobo needs the RAM to be in. Some mobos wont even boot if the sticks are in the wrong slots.

Thatll be $74

[Random Ping]

I hate to say this but you may have fried your motherboard. I have done this in the past and ruined not only my motherboard but the two sticks I had in there as well. Here's a few questions to ask...Was the power cord plugged in when you put the memory stick in the mobo? Some mobo still supply power to your computer, even though its turned off. Are the types of memory stick compatible with your motherboard? If they are not, you may have a serious problem. Are the two types of memory sticks the same? SDRAM, DDRam, and DDR2/3 are not usually compatible. I know these are elementary questions, but these are reasons why mine mobo went kaputt.

One way to check if the memory is still good by putting it in a computer with a similar type of memory and testing if it works. Though, if it is a memory stick problem, like with a generic brand of memory, then this may not be a good idea. The smell of smoke my be a hint, so it might be worth the trouble of $75 to see the official status of your computer while making them do all the work and submitting their own systems to the possible bad memory or componants instead of damaging your own system further. It also helps to have nearby friends/neighbors that are computer savvy to take a look for themselves. You'd be suprised how many computer people have had memory related issues and it may save you the $75. Good luck in any case.

[grim reaper]

SDRAM, DDRam, and DDR2/3

All these types of RAM have different pin arangments so you can't physically put them in the wrong slot.

[Dot.com Cowboy]

Thanks guys. The memory is of the correct type. I posted on Corsair's website first to check. It's DDR 400 PC3200, exactly the type my old memory was just more capacity. (2 sticks of 1 gig for 2 gigs total) vs (2 sticks of 512MB)

As for power, I was very careful. I completely unplugged the computer case from everything and grounded myself while installing it.

If I still fried my MOBO, would resetting the BIOS do any good? When I power it up the computer does turn on, but the hard drive light just stays on and it never boots up. (So I guess at least the power supply works).

So I guess I'll find the jumper and reset my mobo, but if it's toast I guess I'm fucked. Basically I'll have to buy a brand new gaming rig which will be at least $2K. Anyway thanks for your help guys.

It's funny, but with computers this always seems to happen to me. I can't recall a single upgrade (even my video card upgrade) that went perfectly. I guess I'm all thumbs like that and should just take my computer in and have it professionally installed.

Thanks again.

[Caslon]

Abit's support link for memory compatibilty. Check your mb and go to Memory link. You should have done that before proceeding.

I saw mention of only one brand of ram for 1GB sticks.
A bios upgrade might perhaps make the Abit list out of date. Also,
that compatibility list doesn't mean other ppl don't have success.

http://www.abit-usa.com/compatibility/

Abit Forums:
http://forum.abit-usa.com/index.php?...b78f0b9b1de8f2

[Dot.com Cowboy]

Thanks guys for all your feedback. My computer is in the shop now getting looked at.

If my MOBO, CPU and RAM is toast and I have to buy new ones, what combo woud you recommend? I htink I'm going to stick with AMD, but would like to continue to use my GF6800 GT card which is AGP. However I'd like to prepare for the eventuality of an PCI SLI based gaming system, so perhaps a Mobo which supports PCI express but still has AGP on it?

Suggestions welcomed.

Thanks.

[Monkeyfeng]

Originally Posted by Dot.com Cowboy

Thanks guys for all your feedback. My computer is in the shop now getting looked at.

If my MOBO, CPU and RAM is toast and I have to buy new ones, what combo woud you recommend? I htink I'm going to stick with AMD, but would like to continue to use my GF6800 GT card which is AGP. However I'd like to prepare for the eventuality of an PCI SLI based gaming system, so perhaps a Mobo which supports PCI express but still has AGP on it?

Suggestions welcomed.

Thanks.

that's impossible. its either agp or pci-express. there's no mobo that can support both. sorry dude. damn those blood-sucking tech companies.

[grim reaper]

Originally Posted by Dot.com Cowboy

Thanks guys for all your feedback. My computer is in the shop now getting looked at.

If my MOBO, CPU and RAM is toast and I have to buy new ones, what combo woud you recommend? I htink I'm going to stick with AMD, but would like to continue to use my GF6800 GT card which is AGP. However I'd like to prepare for the eventuality of an PCI SLI based gaming system, so perhaps a Mobo which supports PCI express but still has AGP on it?

Suggestions welcomed.

Thanks.

Sorry but the computer shop is BSing you. There is no way installing some memory can trash all that in your PC. Unless you used a sledge hammer to install it it is very unlikely. With out being able to see the PC in person I can't realy say whats wrong but I would strongly advise you to go and get a second opinion on the matter.

[Dot.com Cowboy]

Here's the combo I quickly put together from Monarch. The only question I have is does the Ausus SLI board still have an AGP slot for my 'legacy GF6800 GT Card?


- Shin-Etsu G675 Thermal Grease (Installation Only) $14.00
- 80152 Pre-Tested and Setup AMD Athlon 64/FX (939) Combo
- Motherboard: 110257 - Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe nForce4 SLI Audio/GB- $173.00
- Processor: 12A464 - AMD Athlon 64 FX-55 (939) $799.00
- Heatsink Fan: 130150 - Thermaltake A1772 AMD Recommended for Opt $49.00
- Memory: 140328 - DDR (400) 3200 - 2 GB (2 pcs 1GB) Corsair $254.00

Subtotal for 80152 with your selected options: $1,275.00

[Dot.com Cowboy]

Tiawan, thanks. Damn, so If I want to upgraded to a newer mobo, and PCI express in the future of video cards I have to buy a new PCI express video card!?

Wow, well then I'm kinda screwed if I still want to use my 6800GT card lol.

What's the best combo then for an AGP based, AMD mobo with a fast CPU in your opinion?

[grim reaper]

Depends what you want to do with your computer and how long it will be before you upgrade again.

[Dot.com Cowboy]

Well assuming my mobo, is fried, I'll upgrade in the next few weeks most likely. And because my vid card is still pretty quick, I'll hold off on going SLI with the 7800 for at least 9 months to a year.

Grim, what's the best Mobo, CPU and Ram config I could upgrade to now purely for gaming on which I could use my AGP GF6800 GT card.

Thanks in advance.