Help w/ memory on Older MB (Intel 850GB w/ PC800 RAM)

Jitter · Nov 2, 2005, 11:51 PM

I was talking to a guy on my golf team and he has one of these boards. Here is a diagram and some info

http://www.intel.com/support/motherb.../cs-009040.htm

It has 256MB of RAM (2 128 sticks) in bank 0, and 2 dummy sticks in bank 1. The guy ordered a 256 stick and is expecting it in a few days. The question is will it work or not or would he need another 256 stick, or send it back and get 2 128 sticks?

I understand that if both slots of a bank are filled both modules need to be exactly the same, but I dont think that site made it clear as to whether or not you could just use 1 stick in a bank. I was hoping that someone with more knowledge could give a definitive answer.

Thanks

Kevin

swimtech · Nov 3, 2005, 09:56 AM

The two 'dummy sticks' are called terminators or continuity modules. Most boards require the use the RDRAM modules in pairs and each bank must be filled either with ram module pairs or the terminators. Some boards can use one module with a terminator, but I haven't seen one. Your particular board appears to require that ram modules be installed in pairs per bank.

As to whether to get another 256M stick or send the one back and get two 128's is your call - the computer will run OK on a total of 512M ram (4 128M sticks total), but will run better with demanding applications or several open applications with a total of 768M (two 128s plus the two 256s). I'd get another 256 module (of identical speed) if it were me.

Jitter · Nov 3, 2005, 11:35 AM

Thanks for the reply I will let him know. I am sure he would like to get another 256 stick, but the prices for that RAM are crazy. He is paying $85 for the one stick of 256 so that will be a big factor.

Thanks again

H3X4D3C1M4L · Nov 3, 2005, 03:54 PM

That's because its RDRAM.

I say chuck the mobo and get a DDR mobo.

soloz2 · Nov 3, 2005, 04:28 PM

If you chuck the mobo I want the old RAM! LOL. My rents have an old Dell w/ RDRAM and they opted to replace it instead of spend money on more memory. But I'm trying to get it from them, put a tv tuner card in it and use it to record tv... it doesn't need much memory to do that and If it had 512 I'm sure it'd be alright.

Nov 2, 2005, 11:51 PM	#1
Jitter DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 532 Rep Power: 0	Help w/ memory on Older MB (Intel 850GB w/ PC800 RAM) I was talking to a guy on my golf team and he has one of these boards. Here is a diagram and some info http://www.intel.com/support/motherb.../cs-009040.htm It has 256MB of RAM (2 128 sticks) in bank 0, and 2 dummy sticks in bank 1. The guy ordered a 256 stick and is expecting it in a few days. The question is will it work or not or would he need another 256 stick, or send it back and get 2 128 sticks? I understand that if both slots of a bank are filled both modules need to be exactly the same, but I dont think that site made it clear as to whether or not you could just use 1 stick in a bank. I was hoping that someone with more knowledge could give a definitive answer. Thanks Kevin __________________ Sony Vaio PCV-RX670 P4 1.8ghz XP Pro SP2 1 GB PC2100 RAM ATI All in Wonder 9700 pro Audigy 2 ZS Aquamark ~29,500 3dMark03 ~ 5,000

Nov 3, 2005, 09:56 AM	#2
swimtech At Your Service... Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,989 Rep Power: 100 System Specs	The two 'dummy sticks' are called terminators or continuity modules. Most boards require the use the RDRAM modules in pairs and each bank must be filled either with ram module pairs or the terminators. Some boards can use one module with a terminator, but I haven't seen one. Your particular board appears to require that ram modules be installed in pairs per bank. As to whether to get another 256M stick or send the one back and get two 128's is your call - the computer will run OK on a total of 512M ram (4 128M sticks total), but will run better with demanding applications or several open applications with a total of 768M (two 128s plus the two 256s). I'd get another 256 module (of identical speed) if it were me. __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.

Nov 3, 2005, 11:35 AM	#3
Jitter DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 532 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the reply I will let him know. I am sure he would like to get another 256 stick, but the prices for that RAM are crazy. He is paying $85 for the one stick of 256 so that will be a big factor. Thanks again __________________ Sony Vaio PCV-RX670 P4 1.8ghz XP Pro SP2 1 GB PC2100 RAM ATI All in Wonder 9700 pro Audigy 2 ZS Aquamark ~29,500 3dMark03 ~ 5,000

Nov 3, 2005, 04:28 PM	#5
soloz2 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 362 Rep Power: 0	If you chuck the mobo I want the old RAM! LOL. My rents have an old Dell w/ RDRAM and they opted to replace it instead of spend money on more memory. But I'm trying to get it from them, put a tv tuner card in it and use it to record tv... it doesn't need much memory to do that and If it had 512 I'm sure it'd be alright. __________________ [COLOR=gray][COLOR=red]CPU:[/COLOR] AMD Opteron 165 CCBBE @ 2.8Ghz [/COLOR] [COLOR=gray][COLOR=red]Motherboard:[/COLOR] DFI nF4 SLI-DR Expert [COLOR=red]Memory:[/COLOR] 2gb G.Skill F1-4000USU2-2 [COLOR=red]Video:[/COLOR] Asus 7900GT TOP @ 700/1700 [COLOR=red]Sound:[/COLOR] Modded X-Fi Elite Pro [COLOR=red]HD:[/COLOR] 2x Seagate 250Gb RAID 0, 1 Seagate 320Gb [COLOR=red]Optical Drives:[/COLOR] Sony DVD-Rom, Plextor 16x DVD DL RW [COLOR=red]Case:[/COLOR] CM Stacker [COLOR=red]PSU:[/COLOR] PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 [COLOR=red]Cooling:[/COLOR] Custom Water [COLOR=yellow][COLOR=red]Keyboard/Mouse:[/COLOR] [/COLOR]Saitec Eclipse & Logitech MX518 with a Razer ExactMat mouse pad [COLOR=red]Sound:[/COLOR] Modded X-fi > Soloz Audio Silver IC > Maxed PIMETA > Beyer DT 770 Pro/80 cans [COLOR=red]HTPC:[/COLOR] [/COLOR][COLOR=gray]AMD 3800X2[/COLOR][COLOR=gray], Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe, G.Skill 2GB DDR400, MSI 6600GT, Haupauge PVR150, SB [/COLOR][COLOR=gray]Audigy 2ZS[/COLOR][COLOR=gray], Samsung 16x DVD DL RW, Sunbeam Nuuo PSU, Antec P180 case, AC Freezer64 Pro, Viewsonic N2750w LCD HDTV Heatware eBay [/COLOR]

Nov 3, 2005, 03:54 PM	#4
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,818 Rep Power: 0	That's because its RDRAM. I say chuck the mobo and get a DDR mobo.