elmoredaniel
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Memory Install - Asus MB
My Asus E1972 manual says it supports up to 2GB. I have 4 x 512MB DIMM and I can't get it to recognize more than 1GB of memory. I have installed them all individually so I know all the DIMM are good.
With all the DIMMs plugged in I get this message on boot.
"Due to chipset limitations this motherboard supports a maximum of 2GB and 4 ranks of memory."
But thats exactly what I have plugged into it!!??
With all the DIMMs plugged in I get this message on boot.
"Due to chipset limitations this motherboard supports a maximum of 2GB and 4 ranks of memory."
But thats exactly what I have plugged into it!!??
ISoul
Try updating to the latest BIOS?
Some motherboards are particular about what kind of RAM you install in it, and it sounds like one of the pair is incompatible with the motherboard or incompatible with the other RAM. Check the specs of what will work with your motherboard using the memory configurator program at www.crucial.com. Note that if the RAM has different latencies and you are letting the motherboard choose the speed automatically, it may pick the wrong speed for one of the pair and not work.
I also have an Asus motherboard (P5P800SE), however not the same one as yours. Some (possibly all) Asus motherboards are quite fussy about the RAM configuration.
For instance, I could fill all 4 of my motherboard's RAM slots with 4X 512MB Corsair memory with model number CMXP512-3200XL and have them run dual channel. In other words, I've got 2 gigs of RAM running perfectly with the motherboard.
However, I can only install 2x (yes, two) 512MB Corsair memory with model number VS512MB400 (Corsair Value Select Memory) to make a total of 1 gig and have that run in dual channel. If I tried to install 4x the above RAM sticks, the motherboard would reject it, even though they're by the same manufacturer and on the face of it, very similar to each other.
In short, your motherboard is probably really fussy like mine. In my Asus motherboard manual there is a large table with some example RAM models/vendors and alongside, it tells you what configuration you can use with that RAM (e.g. occupy all 4 slots in dual channel mode, occupy just 2 slots in dual channel mode, occupy just one channel in dual channel mode).
It looks like your motherboard only supports up to 1Gb of the type of RAM you have.
If you do update to the latest BIOS, if you haven't already, there is a possiblilty that this will enable the motherboard to accept the other 1gb.
For instance, I could fill all 4 of my motherboard's RAM slots with 4X 512MB Corsair memory with model number CMXP512-3200XL and have them run dual channel. In other words, I've got 2 gigs of RAM running perfectly with the motherboard.
However, I can only install 2x (yes, two) 512MB Corsair memory with model number VS512MB400 (Corsair Value Select Memory) to make a total of 1 gig and have that run in dual channel. If I tried to install 4x the above RAM sticks, the motherboard would reject it, even though they're by the same manufacturer and on the face of it, very similar to each other.
In short, your motherboard is probably really fussy like mine. In my Asus motherboard manual there is a large table with some example RAM models/vendors and alongside, it tells you what configuration you can use with that RAM (e.g. occupy all 4 slots in dual channel mode, occupy just 2 slots in dual channel mode, occupy just one channel in dual channel mode).
It looks like your motherboard only supports up to 1Gb of the type of RAM you have.
If you do update to the latest BIOS, if you haven't already, there is a possiblilty that this will enable the motherboard to accept the other 1gb.
Sorry, "occupy just one channel in dual channel mode" should have read "occupy just one slot in single channel mode".
ASKER
ISoul:
I have updated the BIOS, no change.
Callandor:
I know all the memory works because I plugged them in individually.
> Note that if the RAM has different latencies and you are letting the motherboard
> choose the speed automatically, it may pick the wrong speed for one of the pair
> and not work.
How do I set the speed manually??
pendulumx:
I checked the manual. I have 2 x 512 Corsair DIMMs that are listed, but they are under a category that states:
"supports one pair of modules inserted into either the blue slots or black slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory"
So does that mean I have to use 2 DIMMs of one brand and 2 DIMMs of another brand, seeing how none of the memory shows up as supporting 4 DIMMs? I don't see how else this Motherboard could ever use 2GB.
I have updated the BIOS, no change.
Callandor:
I know all the memory works because I plugged them in individually.
> Note that if the RAM has different latencies and you are letting the motherboard
> choose the speed automatically, it may pick the wrong speed for one of the pair
> and not work.
How do I set the speed manually??
pendulumx:
I checked the manual. I have 2 x 512 Corsair DIMMs that are listed, but they are under a category that states:
"supports one pair of modules inserted into either the blue slots or black slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory"
So does that mean I have to use 2 DIMMs of one brand and 2 DIMMs of another brand, seeing how none of the memory shows up as supporting 4 DIMMs? I don't see how else this Motherboard could ever use 2GB.
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> You may have dual rank memory.
Yeah I do, and I bet you can't find single rank DIMMs of more than 256MB, which means ASUS is purposely deceitful. They just lost my future business.
Yeah I do, and I bet you can't find single rank DIMMs of more than 256MB, which means ASUS is purposely deceitful. They just lost my future business.
To set timings manually, you have to go to the BIOS setting that's usually labelled Advanced Settings. Change it from automatically detect (or SPD) to manually set, and select values that are less demanding. Everest will tell you what the RAM timings are for each RAM as you install it: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html
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There are plenty of single rank 512MB modules. All that I've purchased in the last year or so have been single rank. That includes Crucial, Kingston, Corsair, Buffalo, and some others. Just ensure there are 8 chips on one side of module (requires high density chips).
ASKER
Sorry, the model number is actually P5GPL
Can you link to some single rank 512's? I don't see how you can search single rank vs dual rank.
Can you link to some single rank 512's? I don't see how you can search single rank vs dual rank.
I'm eyeballing a matched pair of Corsair VS512MB400 modules and they are definitely dual rank (two sided). That's some to stay away from. As best I remember, the last Corsair I purchased was single rank, hmmmm!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141423 Kingston Value RAM dual channel kit
Should be safe with this Kingston RAM. Kingston inserts a D in model number for dual rank memory. Plus I have a couple of sticks with similar model number and they are single rank.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141423 Kingston Value RAM dual channel kit
Should be safe with this Kingston RAM. Kingston inserts a D in model number for dual rank memory. Plus I have a couple of sticks with similar model number and they are single rank.
Aha, we're in good shape. Just search for that motherboard at any of the memory manufacturer's sites. You'll have more choices than you can shake a stick at in no time! :o)
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Appears that Kingston rank designation is not as straightforward as I thought. Looks like the D designator is optional.
Memory designation has been a problem for years beginning with high density SDRAM modules. I don't understand why manufacturers can't provide such critical information in their descriptions. How much trouble is it to provide chip count and ranks?
I do have reasonable confidence that those particular Kingston modules are single rank.
Also wonder why Corsair would use a 16 chip configuration when 8 would do and should be less expensive to manufacture.
I'll let Gary collect the bet. He's apparently in dire need of a decent PC to use ;-)
Memory designation has been a problem for years beginning with high density SDRAM modules. I don't understand why manufacturers can't provide such critical information in their descriptions. How much trouble is it to provide chip count and ranks?
I do have reasonable confidence that those particular Kingston modules are single rank.
Also wonder why Corsair would use a 16 chip configuration when 8 would do and should be less expensive to manufacture.
I'll let Gary collect the bet. He's apparently in dire need of a decent PC to use ;-)
Dalton -- so glad you recognize the needy :-) Would you like my address so you can send a contribution?