How do I find out the best RAM I can use?

C

Codaeus

Member
I'm wanting to do legacy build using either Phenom X4 9850 (95w) or 9750 (95w) CPU with one of these boards:
GA-MA770-DS3P
GA-MA770-UD3
GA-MA790FX-UD5P
GA-MA790FX-DS5
GA-MA790X-UD4P
GA-MA790x-UD4
I'm looking at the Gigabyte site's board specs, and keep seeing something cryptic for each one. For example, GA-MA770-DS3P says "Whether 1066MHz memory speed is supported depends on the CPU chosen." Can anyone translate this? I'm looking at the CPU list of this board, but each and every one seems to support 1066 MHz. Same for the CPU lists for all the other boards. Obviously I'm missing something, as there would be no disclaimer if there was nothing to disclaim, but I can't figure it out. How do I determine whether or not my chosen CPUs will support the fastest RAM each board will handle?
 
Its a AM2+ DDR2 board and supports AM2 processors. Technically AM2 processors only supported up to DDR2 800. AM2+ on the DDR2 side supported up to DDR2 1066.
 
StrangleHold said:
Its a AM2+ DDR2 board and supports AM2 processors. Technically AM2 processors only supported up to DDR2 800. AM2+ on the DDR2 side supported up to DDR2 1066.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I'm a hardware newbie, so this doesn't mean anything to me. Let's try it from another angle. GA-MA770-DS39 says it may or may not support 1066 MHz memory speed depending on the CPU used. So lets say I'll be using Phenom x4 9850 (95w) on this board. Will this board & CPU combo support 1066 MHz? If yes, how did you figure this out? If no, same question?!
 
Simple. On AMD the memory controller is on the processor. So it depends on the processor what memory it supports. Your is a AM2+ processor.

If its a AM2 processor it supports up to DDR2 800.
If its a AM2+ processor it supports up to DDR2 1066
 
StrangleHold said:
Simple. On AMD the memory controller is on the processor. So it depends on the processor what memory it supports. Your is a AM2+ processor.

If its a AM2 processor it supports up to DDR2 800.
If its a AM2+ processor it supports up to DDR2 1066
Click to expand...

Many thanks for the great explanation. Had put this question to two other forums, but could make no sense of the answers! I'll assume that with Phenom X4 9850 & 9750, the DDR2 1066 is the best I can aspire to, so I'll ignore the DDR2 1200 & 1333 mentioned for the other boards.

Can you translate the 'Qualified Vendor List' of GA-MA770-DS3P? I'm seeing two sections that refer to DDR2 1066, one saying "(downgrade to DDR2 800)" and the other saying "(JDEC DIMM)" with a "Note: Due to AMD AM2+ CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is only supported by 1 dimm per channel." Which section should I focus on, which specific ones on this list are the high-end sort, and is this really all the brands/models that will work with this board?
Secondly, the note sounds ominous, so how will it impact on my goals to get as close to the 16GB limit as I can, and employ the best DDR2 1066 modules I can buy?

I have been told on other forums that my plan to fill all four DIMM sockets will cause problems, but I'm not seeing any way around it, as the memory list for this board only offers up 1GB & 2GB modules, so if I go with only using two DIMM sockets (as I've been told) the most memory I can deploy is 4GB, and that would be a major compromise for me. I want at least 8GB. Any ideas?
 
Yeah, if you put 4 sticks at 1066, the memory controller would by default lower the speed to 800. Four stick put more strain on the memory controller because of its default voltage. Plus they wanted you to split the memory between the controllers if you run 1066. In other words put one stick on each channel. I have run 4 sticks, plus both in the same channel in many and not really had a problem. Just have to manually set the memory speed/timing and voltage. On a few boards I have had to bump up the memory controller voltage.

As far as the 'Qualified Vendor List' , its just brands they have tested. Most others as in 98% will work just fine.
 
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StrangleHold said:
Yeah, if you put 4 sticks at 1066, the memory controller would by default lower the speed to 800. Four stick put more strain on the memory controller because of its default voltage. Plus they wanted you to split the memory between the controllers if you run 1066. In other words put one stick on each channel. I have run 4 sticks, plus both in the same channel in many and not really had a problem. Just have to manually set the memory speed/timing and voltage. On a few boards I have had to bump up the memory controller voltage.

As far as the 'Qualified Vendor List' , its just brands they have tested. Most others as in 98% will work just fine.
Click to expand...

Okay, how do I find out the maximum amount of memory I can deploy using only 2 sticks? I want to get as close to the 16GB limit as possible. I assume there is no 8GB stick. And how do I avoid the 2% that will not work? Any recommendations on specific sticks?
 
StrangleHold said:
Your not going to find 8gb DDR2 sticks.

But really the price of DDR2 4gb sticks, its not worth it.
8gb. 219 bucks.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231301

If you stick with 2gb sticks its a lot cheaper. Even with 1066.
1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166
800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122
Click to expand...

So can I assume that if I want 8GB (two 4GB sticks) I'm stuck with 800, and there is no 4GB sticks for 1066? Also, is this the best brand I can get? If so, I'll proceed with the purchase.
 
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