memory timing mismatch fatal error

I have installed in my system 2 sticks of pc3200 corsair low latency memory(512 each) 2-3-2-6 latency, I needed more memory at a budget price so I purchased the kingston 512 valueram pc3200 from circuit city for 19.99 upon bootup i got the mismatched timing error, I thought you could mix different latency sticks without a problem. do I need to buy the exact same memory that is already in with the same latency? thanks

 

$19.99 is a cheap price to pay for such a valuable lesson.

 

For even more kicks and grins you could set your bios to all default memory timings (SPD) and see what happens.

 

tried that but no luck, that is what I get for being cheap, looks like I will fork out the 70 odd dollars for another corsair stick.

 

just did that, it shows this as being compatible "DDR PC3200 • CL=3 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR400 • 2.6V • 128Meg x 64 "

my current config is:

Property Value
Device Locator Slot 1
Manufacturer Corsair
Part Number CMX512-3200LL
Serial Number 00000000
Capacity 512 MBytes
Memory Type SDRAM DDR
Speed PC3200 (200 MHz)
Data Width 64 bits
Voltage SSTL 2.5V
Error Correction None
Refresh Reduced (.5x)...7.8 µs
Manufacturing Date N/A
EPP SPD Support No


if I order the one from crucial, do you think I will still have issues?

 

Your Corsair is 2-3-2-6 and the Crucial is listed as CAS3, so yes, I would expect a problem with compatability. Also, you don't mention your chipset but if you are running dual channel right now and you add one stick of memory you won't be running dual channel any longer. We are going to need a little more information - whats your motherboard?

 

Pete:

Not to distrust the Crucial site - they are very good and my suspicion is that going through the menu by manufacturer and model # would come up with a match for the stock memory that was originally in this machine or lets say could be used with this motherboard. The poster, kiddk, is running Corsair XMS and, although its not actually the real low latency stuff, it is low latency and is mis-matched with the CAS3 Crucial that came up as a result of the Crucial website menu which is not designed to match non-stock memory. Perhaps the bigger question that remains unanswered is whether or not this is a dual channel board, in which case one stick of anything is going to be a step in the wrong direction. My suspicion is that this is a dual channel board.

Keep the faith - Crucial is definately a keeper.

 

my board is an asus a7v KT133 shown here

http://www.thetechzone.com/reviews/motherboards/asus/av7/index.shtml

 

Pete:

Believe we have another dilemma altogether - its called garbage in > garbage out.

According to ASUS on page 25 of the motherboard manual, this board requires 168 pin unbuffered PC133. As they say at NASA, "Houston, we have a problem. "

 

sorry guys I pulled the wrong mobo box out when I went to check my specs, I have the asus K8V mobo here

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1532

my bad sorry

 

Stuff happens - its OK. At least we got the right board this go around. Unfortunately, it looks like you are going to be stuck with your two sticks of Corsair as a best case scenario.

RTFM - page 1-10 will tell one not to mix CAS latency memory modules. It also appears (see the chart in the manual) that three memory sticks (make that three identical memory sticks as stated in the manual) will result in 333Mhz memory timing as opposed to the 400MHz which is attainable with two PC3200 modules.

Once again - $19.99 is a cheap price to pay for such a valuable lesson.

 

so If I purchase another stick of xms corsair with the same timing I should be okay? this is the closest I could find, I did a search for my memory by product# twinx1024-3200LLpro and could not find it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145018

 

The first thing you should check is the maximum allowable memory to make darn sure the spare Dimm slot can take a 1024 stick and isn't restricted to a 512MB stick. You should look it up in the manual. I think the answer can be found on 1-11 or 1-12.

If acceptable to the motherboard, that stick you linked to is about as close as you're going to get.

As a suggestion which should net out about the same or better monetarily, if each slot can take a Gig, buy a matched pair of that memory and then sell your 2x512's. Running 3 sticks will reduce your memory to 333MHz while running just two will permit you to run at 400MHz.

 

Excellent suggestion! my mobo can handle up to 3gb. I think buying 2 or 3 sticks of the same CL and Mb will be better as you said, thanks for all your help.

also, I was looking on newegg, most of the 2gb sticks are in pairs and sold as "dual channel ", can I use dual channel in my non dual channel mobo?

 

re: Buying matched pair for dual channel even though not running dual channel - a big yes to the Motown Man. ♫ fe - fe - fi - fi - fo - fo - fum .. ♪♪ ... ♫

OCZ & Patriot are also worthy of your consideration.
Good Luck & Please keep us posted on just how you make out.