Adding DDR

ABIT KX7-333R motherboard, currenty hosts 3x256MB Kingmax PC3200, room for one more stick........Best to use another 256MB or would 512MB be Okay?

 

Best to read up on this MB and discover the differences between registered and unbuffered memory before asking hypotheticals.

 

csnudelman,

Some MB circuitry require pairs of ram. Obviously, your system supports individual sticks.

Without a doubt, my thought is to go with another 256 MB because if down the road you have memory problems you will have available installed ram to swap around to diagnose a bad stick. Additionally, if your single goes south you will be out a more expensive component.

 

Hehehe ..... EDO on a DDR board? Guess someone is dating themself, eh KK? - err uhh Dude.

Don't know that particular Abit MB, but think you'll find that you can't use all four slots unless you are using registered modules. Also believe or should say 'think" that 2 gb is the limit on unbuffered using 3 slots and 4gb is the limit on registered using all 4 slots - most of the newer Abit boards use that spec but don't know this board and am too lazy right now to look it up.

 

Thanks for the information. Yes, it has been awhile, and I now have DDR so I will keep the info in the back of my mind for further research if and when.

But in the interest of learning something new, what is the difference between registered and unbuffered other than slot limitation? Thanks.

 

registered costs more, hehehe

 

OK. I will reiterate my answer to your original question. If your MB supports an option of one stick or adding another stick, opt for adding a stick. My original answer stands.

Your question is not hypothetical, and if it were there is room with any discussion to make certain assumptions. What would this world be like if it weren't for assumptions?

 

OK, here's the scoop right from Abit.

Four 184-pin DIMM sockets support PC1600/PC2100/PC2700 DDR DRAM modules
Supports 6 banks up to 3GB DRAMs for unbuffered DDR/SDR modules
Supports 8 banks up to 3.5GB DRAMs for registered DDR/SDR modules

Now for the commentary ...
Go ahead and buy another stick of memory. If its registered, you are all set - good to go - whether its 256, 512 or 1024. And, if its unbuffered, you can glue the fourth stick to the front of your case as its not going to work inside your computer. I'll send you a case badge titled, "ass/u/me ".

KK - unlike Dell, I believe Kingmax carries a lifetime warranty. (just had to get that in)

On the serious side, glad to learn that you've gone Abit and Athlon XP - you'll be very happy with performance after you get the bios tweaked properly. Haven't done your MB yet but may take a look at it - doing mostly KG7's right now.

 

Thanks R2U, I had though that all the sticks needed to be registered for 4 to work. I guess I was wrong.

 

Thanks. I will bookmark this thread for future reference.

 

thanks for the info R2U, also this info...

"No, you cannot mix registered with unregistered modules. "

JIM HANSON
Technical Support Analyst, Crucial Memory

 

Thought my post of the 22nd made that clear. You mean you went to Crucial's tech support instead of listening to the Rockster? hehehe.......