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AM2+ and AM3 RAM limitation.

TheMailMan78

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This might be common knowledge to some of you guys but I just found out why I cannot go past 800mhz with my DDR2 RAM. Apparently due to the memory controller DDR2 1066 memory module is supported by AM2+ CPU for one DIMM per channel only.

Essentially what this means, is as long as you are only running 2 DIMMS in Dual Channel, you will be perfectly fine (example, a 2x2gb pair).

Any setups involving more than 2 DIMMs (ie., 3x2gb or 4x2gb, 4x1gb... and so on) will give you problems. You can try underclocking your RAM, but you might as well buy DDR2 800 RAM with tighter timings

Just thought some members would benefit from this info!
Click to expand...


Source 1

Source 2
 
JATownes

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I learned that bumping up the CPU/NB voltage helps this issue. I have 4 sticks of Patriot Extreme DDR2 running at 1093 5/5/5/18. But I had to increase the CPU/NB voltage to get it stable. It also took me FOREVER to figure that one out.

This also may be a Dual Channel issue. Running in unganged mode, I have never had much of an issue with it.

It is good to point this out though, as it would have saved me a lot of research if I would have found a post of this nature earlier. :toast:
 
cadaveca

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My 8GB's of 4x2GB DDR3 1600mhz CAS6 1T, laughs in the face of those infos!


;)
 
JATownes

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cadaveca said:
My 8GB's of 4x2GB DDR3 1600mhz CAS6 1T, laughs in the face of those infos!


;)
Click to expand...

I believe it is stated to be a DDR2 issue, not DDR3. :D
 
JATownes

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:roll: DDR3 800 FTW!!! :D :roll:
 
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Yeah I had a customer come in who had an Asus 770 board, AM2+ CPU and 2x2GB DDR2 1066 and when he bought another kit (4x2GB) he couldn't get it to run at 1066 anymore. He checked his motherboard manual and it explained the 1 stick per channel limit. He then wanted to change the mobo but I was pretty sure it was a limitation on the AM2+ CPU he had not the mobo so changing the mobo wouldn't have helped him.
 
newtekie1

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Been a common problem with the memory controller since the AM2 CPUs were released.
 
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