VA-503+ and Memory Mix 'n' Match

[garygbond]

Current set-up: FIC VA-503+ rev. 1.2a and AMD K6-2 400, with 4 modules of 16MB EDO SIMMs. Running at 100 MHz FSB with 4.0 multiplier (playing by the rules). Memory is jumpered to run on AGP speed, not FSB. PCI bus speed is jumpered to be 1/3 of FSB (so, 33 MHz). AGP is two times PCI, so memory is running at 66 MHz. <Note: this is not my own understanding: this is based on setup notes from LostCircuits.com -- http://www.lostcircuits.com/motherboard/ficva503/2.html -- can anyone confirm for me that this is essentially correct?> Cannot get computer to POST on PCI bus speed jumpered for 1/2 FSB (AGP and memory speed would be 100 MHz). This is not too surprising, considering that EDO SIMMs rarely perform above 85 MHz or so.

However, my real question is this: I'm considering buying a 64MB PC100 DIMM. I know that FIC does not recommend mixing memory types -- but has anyone out there done it and what were your results? Would I be better off chucking my 64MB EDO SIMMs and using the 64MB DIMM exclusively, or would 128MB of mixed memory perform better? Any special jumper settings I need to be aware of? Any other budget-friendly solutions to this memory issue (would like to stay under $100)?

Thanks for the benefit of your experiences!

GaryB.
garygbond@aol.com

[clocker]

If you mix your SIMMS(5v)DIMMS(3.3v)You will blow the SDRAM ram up.Its the forcing the 3.3volt ram to run at 5volts that does this.

[garygbond]

Clocker,

That might be typically true, but not with the FIC VA-503+ -- lots of people have done mixing. Just can't have the same banks occupied (Banks 1-2 of SIMMs with bank 2 of DIMM is okay, etc.). FIC even acknowledges that the practice is widespread, but they don't condone it.

BTW, I've sold my SIMMs and am going with a single PC100 64MB DIMM.

GaryB.
garygbond@aol.com

[bighammer]

what happens more often than not is you lose a little performance.
You went in the right direction.
have fun but make sure they sell you REAL pc100
oh, why don't you sell your 4 pieces for around a $100.00 and match it with another C note and get a 128 stick?
had to through that in.
LOL

[This message has been edited by bighammer (edited 02-19-99).]