DDR Memory

DIMM Modules

As previous discussed, my current system runs off normal DDR memory modules. Two separate 512MB DIMMs for a total of 1G Byte of memory. The memory is already at the maximum speed grade for DDR1: DDR 512, PC3200.

One 512MB memory stick in Bank 0 [bank 1 is free], and one 512MB memory stick in Bank 2 [bank 3 is free] ~ allowing for dual channel operation. The system is dual channel the memory is not. A common mistake when buying a pair of DIMMs is that their listed as dual channel when in fact they are only a matched pair [size/speed], and are to be used with a chip-set that supports dual channel operation.

AMD has already indicated that they do not plan to support the lowest speed grade of DDR2 or PC2-3200, which has the same through-put as PC3200 DDR. They indicate that because of increased latency PC2-3200 operates slower then PC3200. So I assume they will begin with support for PC2-4300. That translates into a difference of 1000M Bytes of through-put between what I have or could have if I wait.

I've seen an article that if I do the obvious and double my system memory to off-set the slower memory my system speed may actually slow down. That would be to populate all four banks with 512MB DIMMs.

I can understand why that's true because each bank has it's own 'channel'. One DIMM in each bank translates to 3200MT/s + 3200MT/s [Bank 1 + Bank 2]. So adding two DIMMs to one Bank requires the two DIMMs to time share.

So the question is; Should I use 4 DIMMs of 512MB each and populate all sockets, or continue to use one DIMM per Bank as two 1GB DIMMs.

$50 x 4 512MB [PC3200] = $200
$85 x 2 1GB [PC3200] = $170

New memory wish list is two 1G Byte DIMM memory sticks, leaving the other two slots as an up-grade path.

DDR DIMM Memory Manufacturers are listed on the;
Computer Memory Module Manufacturers page.