PC100 Memory

[Montevideano]

Yesterday, I purchased 256MB of memory for one of my computers. It is 32x64-PC100/133, 168 Pin Dimm 3.3v, Synchronous DRAM. After installing the new memory it appears that I only get 128 of memory.

My motherboard is an ABIT BE6-II and it has three 168-pin DIMM sites. The manual says it will support up to 32Mx64 (256MB) or double sided DIMMS modules. No matter where I installed the module I only get 128MB of memory. Is it possible that the module defective or I am missing something? I do not see any instructions to make changes anywhere in the BIOS? Am I correct?

Thanks,

Montevideano

[Bovon]

I am not familiar with your board, but I understand that some older mainboards will not run the newer high density ram. Some boards that support 256 mb total, do it with 2 - 128 mb modules, they will not recognize one 256 mb module.

Well, I just checked Crucials data base for your board, and it appears it will accept any of the SDRAM modules. It does not say that the amount of ram per socket is limited to 128 mb...so, I'm lost. Maybe somebody here at SysOpt that is familiar with your board will have an answer for you.

Any chance the module is registered?

Motherboard Specifications:
BE6-II
• Chipset: Intel 440BX
• Accepts PC133 SDRAM: Y
• Accepts SDRAM 100MHZ: Y
• Accepts SDRAM 66MHZ: N
• Accepts Registered SDRAM: N
• Accepts EDO: N
• Accepts Fast Page Mode: N
• Max EDO/FPM: N.A
• Accepts DDR: N.A
• Accepts ECC: Y
• Accepts RDRAM (Rambus): N.A
• Accepts Parity: N
• DIMM Socket Count: 3
• Sockets per DIMM Bank: 1
• 72-pin SIMM Socket Count: N.A
• Sockets per 72-pin SIMM Bank: N.A
• 30-pin SIMM Socket Count: N.A
• Sockets per 30-pin SIMM Bank: N.A
• Buffering: N.A
• Max Unbuffered SDRAM: 768MB
• Max Registered SDRAM: N.A

I just remembered...I bought a module of SDRAM that was mis labled one time. It was supposed to be 128 mb, but actually was 64 mb. Maybe you have a mis marked module?..can you send it back for an exchange?

[Montevideano]

Bovon,

Thank you very much for your reply. I finally resolved my problem. I exchanged the module for another memory module made by a different company. Now I have my original 128MB plus a new 256MB and I get a reading of 384MB.

Anyway, I appreciate your response. I will remember Crucials database for future reference.

Montevideano

[Kurylo]

Remember to insert the bigger module into the first slot and the smaller into the secon. I've told someone somewhere here that.

[Montevideano]

I'm curious. Why is it that you should install the larger module in the first slot? Does it really make a difference?

Thanks,

Montevideano

[TweakerXP]

because the system writes to the first module first and then to the second. You want your biggest first so more info will be written to it instead of the smaller one.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here, that was the way it was sorta explained to me.

Welcome to sysopt, too

[Montevideano]

Thank you all for you assistance in this matter.

I will place the largest module first and the smaller ones second and third. Thank you very much for your explanation.

thanks,

montevideano

[Kurylo]

I remember I wrote about it in the another thread too.

[Kurylo]

As far as your CPU takes a time of one clock cycle to switch between memory modules, setting a bigger module to the first slot weakens the chances it will be fully filled. So, your CPU do not use any time to switch between these modules, and your speed is slightly increased (but that's a pay-free solution, so I think that to get additional speed for $0.00 is good, even if it's increase isn't too high).