3gb of RAM in Vista, yes or no?

[nes]

So,

As you may already know, I'm looking for some good RAM for my ongoing upgrade:toot:; I am preparing my system for the Q9450:icon_tiphat:. I spotted some Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) at newegg. What I really wanna know is would I benefit from using 3gb in Vista 32-bit:idea::rolleyes:.

The config I'm dreaming up is the afore mentioned kit and some Crucial Ballistix Tracer 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400).

This way I could run dual channel for everything. I could put matching pairs in both banks. The timings are the same too. Both kits support either SLI or Crossfire but my board's SLI RAM option cannot be enabled anyway (greyed out:explode:). I don't really care about that, I don't believe that these kits' timings are related to EPPs.

So, what's up? What do you think you experts and super users you:bowdown:?

[Miker]

DDR2 is cheap, just get a set of 2G sticks. 4 sticks is hard to do, different 4 sticks is almost imposable.

[Scott]

Why don't you run Vista 64 and get 2x2GB kits?

[Miker]

Why don't you run Vista 64 and get 2x2GB kits?

That is a good point, he already has Vista, why not get 64bit and see all the RAM?

[PP Mguire]

Probably becasue he already has the 2x1gig set and has money to get a 2x512mb set. And to actualy ANSWER your question yes its worth it. They will run in dual channel and the extra gig will help in Vista.

Bottom line though is you should juse use x64 and have a 2x2gig set like was mentioned.

[nes]

PP Mguire, Scott, and Miker,


Guys, I don't want to run Vista 64-bit because I would inadvertantly not be able to access all kinds of applications that I use on a daily basis. Some of my VSTi that I use on Cubase 4 and stuff will not work. Plus, I won't be able to use my Microsoft Office Enterprise (which costs alot) and I need that for work. Not too mention that a bunch of my MIDIs won't work with Vista 64-bit, because they don't have drivers for them.

I can get 64-bit for mad cheap though, because I bought Vista I can get 64-bit for like 10 USD. Crazy cheap, huh? It's just the whole clean install thing. Now if I could dual boot between 64-bit and 32-bit, now that's worth a whole hill of beans! I would actually like to look into that!

As it stands, I don't want to lose my applications, midi devices, and VSTi. That would suck really really bad.

Seriously, though, can I dual boot 32-bit and 64-bit?

[werty316]

As long as you either use two HDs or have two partitions on one HD, then yes you can run a dual boot setup.

[nes]

Werty,

Do you think I would have you use VistabootPro or something weird like that to fix boot.ini, drive location, or ntdlr? I know that Vista is notorious for not recognizing 2 or more instances of Windows.

[PP Mguire]

You do realize Vista x64 can run 32bit applications right? And some XP drivers work with Vista as well. Have you even tried x64 yet to see if these things wont work? Cause if not im sure youll be suprised at what WILL work.

[Miker]

64bit Vista is not like 64XP, Vista 64 actually works, somewhat. 32bit Aps will work in 64bit, but 64bit won't run in 32bit.

[PP Mguire]

X64 Vista actualy has an X86 program files folder AND an x64 program files folder. Most of my stuff went in the x86.

[nes]

What about the dual boot? I've been googling but can only come up with Vista 64-bit and XP 32-bit. I have actually found some threads about Vista 32-bit and 64-bit dual boot but no walkthroughs.

And if I do get 2GB (x2) memory kits will all the extra RAM slowdown 32-bit Vista if I get a dual boot up and online?

[nes]

Okay, well I just ordered some G. Skill from Newegg.com! I went with 3 GB overall, to be installed in matched pairs of two sticks, in the corresponding banks.

This is what I picked up (w/ rush processing!): G Skill 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 800mhz PC2 6400 and G Skill 1GB (2x512mb) DDR2 800, both of these are G Skill's F2-6400CL4D, one is the 2GBPK, and the other is 1GBPK. I got the 2GBPK for 55 USD and the 1GBPK came in at around 35 USD.

Timings are 4-4-4-12 @ 1.9V - 2.0V and this is for both the 1GBPK and the 2GBPK! Now I wonder if the current Asus BIOS will understand that I have some G Skill up in the house and report stock specifications or will I have to pull out my little screwdriver up tidey up the timings and voltages from within the BIOS.

N-E Body?

[Miker]

Okay, well I just ordered some G. Skill from Newegg.com! I went with 3 GB overall, to be installed in matched pairs of two sticks, in the corresponding banks.

This is what I picked up (w/ rush processing!): G Skill 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 800mhz PC2 6400 and G Skill 1GB (2x512mb) DDR2 800, both of these are G Skill's F2-6400CL4D, one is the 2GBPK, and the other is 1GBPK. I got the 2GBPK for 55 USD and the 1GBPK came in at around 35 USD.

Timings are 4-4-4-12 @ 1.9V - 2.0V and this is for both the 1GBPK and the 2GBPK! Now I wonder if the current Asus BIOS will understand that I have some G Skill up in the house and report stock specifications or will I have to pull out my little screwdriver up tidey up the timings and voltages from within the BIOS.

N-E Body?

You almost always have to set it to the advertised speeds; they set them as a high speed that will work in any Mobo, then if you have a good one you can set it to these speeds.
GL getting it work, I would say it is a 30% chance of working.

[PP Mguire]

At stock timings and speed it will work. Im running 3gig of DDR1 right now. 2x1gig and 2x512mb and they are different brands (Hynix and G.Skill)

[Miker]

Well some memory comes with high timings, and you need to set then down.

My Corsair was 3-3-3-8 at 2.5v the way the Mobo read it so it will work in any PC. Corsair sets really mellow timings so you never have a OCZ problem.

[nes]

Miker,

Dude, you really think that the P5N-D can't hang with stock timings of these G. Skill Kits? P.P. Mcguire did you have to tweak your RAM to stock timings? Now, I'm starting to get all worried.

[PP Mguire]

No i did not. Dont be worried they should be fine. And its PP Mguire ;) And actualy since its DDR1 im running 2-2-2-5 timings at 400mhz.

[nes]

PP Mguire, sorry about that SP.

[jellyrole]

I would go with 2 sticks of 2GB Ram.

[Miker]

No, I am am saying, you might need to set the timings lower (AKA faster). When you put them in they might not be at 4-4-4-12 @ 1.9V - 2.0V, they could be at 5-5-5-14 @ 1.7, and you will need to set them lower.

You will have to mess around a lot to get 4 sticks working, different types of sticks will make it harder too.

[nes]

Miker,

Yo, I read your post and was like, 'oh no'. So I cancelled my order. It's all good, I can wait a little while longer I think. I'll just pick up some sticks when that q9450 reaches earth orbit. I have to admit that I did start to salivate at the thoughts of those little upgrades coming.

I'll just wait out the storm with my little Dell sticks. ** hum.

[nes]

Guys,

This is a snapshot of CPU-Z and my RAM. What's up with the FSB Frequencies. They are 3 listed. Are those like some kind of presets?

[Miker]

That shows what the Ram is programmed too. At 200 it runs at this, at 266 it runs at this and so on.

4 sticks is just really hard to do, it can work, but it will take time to get it right, and you will never be able to overclock the same. And some PCs just go nuts with 4 sticks. My PC with 2x 1G and 2x 512M made half of my PCI slots not work. I had them set at 2.8v, like 6-6-6-10 or something stupid high too.

[nes]

Yeah, I usually just run everything natively but I will 'overclock' RAM to get factory specs. Pretty soon, I'll just have this extra e6700 and then perhaps I'll try my hand at the real overclocking.

Okay, now check this one out, it's from the Crucial Homepage http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=E616FEA3A5CA7304
There you have it, Crucial themselves saying that the P5N-D can take the more serious RAM:lol:. Honestly, I don't know if it's a type-o or not; you know what I'm saying. What do you guys think? Think it's a go or a no-go?

[Miker]

They will not say it only works with 2 sticks.

And if you miss understood me, I said when you put them in it will run slow, but you will need to "OC" them to the spec that is advertised. They program a slow spec so it will work in any PC, but if you have a good one you can run at advertised speeds.

Get 2x 2GB, as that is the best set up.

[nes]

I understand. So what do you think the RAM of choice should be. I'm hellbent on those G.Skills. As soon as my credit card stops showing neweggs authorization (I canceled the order). I'm going to buy with confidence. That is unless you know of a way to squeeze at least 1000mhz out of those Crucials.

[Miker]

G.skill is good, and so is Corsair XMS. I would get a 2x 2G set of what ever is cheaper. Know, you can also get some DDR2 1000/1066 and it will run at 800 if your Mobo doesn't support that high, then you are almost guarantied a 1000mhz OC, unless your Mobo just won't go that high.