HELP!: My RAM isn't working properly (Q for advanced techies only)

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

Ok here's the deal. This problem is directed at those who really know how Motherboard's work and how they support RAM configurations.

I have an Intel D865PERL Motherboard.
I had 2 512mb sticks of Hynix DDR 400 RAM, one in DIMM0 Channel A and the other in DIMM0 Channel B.
I added a 1024mb stick of Corsair DDR 400 RAM. If anything, it made my computer slower... needless to say there is absolutely no performance gain (even simply when using windows or browsing the internet etc).

I called my local PC Outlet dude and he told me to do the following and I should notice a boost in performance:

a) Switch the setup of the RAM so that both the 512 Hynix sticks are in the same bracket next to each other (ie. DIMM0 and DIMM1 Channel A) and put the Corsair stick in DIMM1 channel B

b) after doin the above, update my BIOS with the windows updater available on the Intel site so that the board supports dual channel properly (ie putting the 500 sticks in DIMM0 and DIMM1 of channel A)


So, I did both things and noticed absolutely no difference in performance. Also, when I boot up it says my RAM is not configured for optimal performance and that the dual channel sticks should go in DIMM0 Channel A and DIMM0 Channel B. Even when I boot in with that setup though, it gives me the same error at startup.

SO, my concern is that, since I have 2 sticks of 512 RAM using dual channel... the single stick of 1024 isn't going to work properly because it's not paired with another in order to make it work dual channel.
I read on a couple forums about people having issues running dual channel RAM with a single stick of RAM and that it slows down computers.

I'm also concerned that maybe the Corsair stick isn't all that compatible with the Hynix sticks.

What I plan to do is exchange my Corsair stick for 2 Hynix sticks of 512 or even try throwing in another Corsair 1024 and see if it works considering it would be using dual channel.

I'd love to hear your guys thoughts on this because it seems to me that I should be getting at least a noticeable performance boost when going from 1 gig of RAM to 2 gigs.
Also, I'm afraid if i get another stick of Corsair 1024 that I might not notice anything AGAIN, which would drive me insane since I'm going from 1 gig of RAM to 3 gigs (and I'm spending 70-80 bucks in the process).

Please give any input that you can in order to help me solve this issue.

Thanks in advance.

[atomicbob]

Ok. I'll take a stab at it.

It sounds like the confinement of the universal translator has been redefined. Reconfigure the power supply of the universal translator and reverse the polarity of the warp drive. Or just reconfigure the strength of the prototype temporal transceiver. Then redefine the proccessing array of the disfunctional electro-magnetic pulse and you be good to go.

:D

[Kev Kanos]

You should see a huge proforance boost from 1 to 2 gigs. I never understood why but I know that I have tried similar thing many times and get the same result you are. I would throw out the 512 sticks and get another 1024 stick. I know that would fix it. Anything else would be taking a chance. You wont regret having 2 gigs that work right.

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

Thanks Kev.. we'll have to see

and I hate you Bob :upyours: :D


PS. more input would be appreciated

[lamah]

you should get another 1gig stick. that single stick unpaired isn't good.

also, some mb are weird, you need to read the manual to see if the DDR chip setup is "paired" as opposed to "alternated" physically

and having 2 pairs of sticks, especially when they're not of the same grade, requires you to losen up your timings, which degrades performance too

[Gruthar]

The performance hit is you losing dual channel by adding the extra stick of 1024. That will effectively halve your memory bandwidth no matter what slots you stick them in... like lamah said, get another stick of 1024. Even with looser timings and memory controller lag, it should be a step up. If they don't play nice with the 2x512 sticks, you can always pull the 512s and sell them...

[FiLTHY_SNiPER]

Good advice guys.. I'm probably going to get a 1024 stick next week (the guy will let me test it first before I buy to see what happens cause he's a good guy)

Nevertheless, any more advice from more sources would be great ;)

[JustMeBF2]

Ok. I'll take a stab at it.

It sounds like the confinement of the universal translator has been redefined. Reconfigure the power supply of the universal translator and reverse the polarity of the warp drive. Or just reconfigure the strength of the prototype temporal transceiver. Then redefine the proccessing array of the disfunctional electro-magnetic pulse and you be good to go.

:D


Scottie always was great with computers. :bow:

[hank123]

sorry i didnt come sooner to answer your questions babe

1. you can run 3 of the 4 sluts full. you wont get dual channel out of the one that has no ram in it but we are talking a micro sec faster if u had that slut full.

3. make sure the voltage is right for the ram. I know some mobos can be picky about the voltage on the ram. ( wanna talk about picky ur mom and restaurants that broad is picky. all time busting my chops. whats wrong with taco bell?)

7. also if the read times are different that can slow things down.

23. if I was as sexy as you (almost as much) and my mom was paying for it I would go buy some new DDR Corsair. I would stick with corsair cause its cheap and for the price it OCs a little better than kingston.

I think if you run 2 512 sticks and 2 1 gig sticks things will go great for you!

love
hank