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A8R-MVP memory question

M

MJCfromCT

Gawd
Joined
Jun 27, 2006
Messages
735
Hi all,

I am planning on getting an A8R-MVP motherboard, and have a quick question regarding memory compatibility.

I will be running 4x512 sticks of Corsair Value Select PC3200 RAM. This motherboard has 4 memory slots, but will there be any issues getting all four sticks of RAM to work in this motherboard? Will they work at PC3200 speeds? Will they work in dual channel mode in this configuration? I tried searching through the A8R-MVP manual, but didn't quite find what I was looking for. Thanks in advance.
 
memory is more down to your CPU than the board on K8 as the memory controller is in the CPU.

The behaviour that AMD specifies as default is that it should step down to DDR333 with 4 double-sided DIMMs, you may be able to set it to run faster manually (especially if you have a rev E CPU) but only at 2T.

You may want to do some more reading on the A8R-MVP especially if you intend to overclock as apparently it has poor voltage regulation.
 
Thanks for the reply, BUFF.

So if I understand you correctly, there isn't any s939 board that will allow an X2 processor to run 4x512 RAM at PC3200 speeds?
 
You might be able to get DDR400 but at 2T if you have a Rev E chip.

It is a gamble, but worth a try. I also have to steer you away from the A8R-MVP. I have an Asus A8R32-MVP and it is still crap with its memory options. Cant get TCCD running high clocks... dont like it one bit.
 
Thanks, turtletrax.

What would you recommend for a quality s939 crossfire mobo? I dont' overclock that much, so outstanding overclocking performance isn't really necessary for me.
 
I've got an Abit AT8 32X & it seems OK to me (got to admit that overall I prefer my AN8 32X but that may just be because I'm very familiar with nForce).
If your budget doesn't stretch that far & you can find the older AT8 it's OK too but like the A8R-MVP I wouldn't expect too much in the way of future BIOS.

If you are running an X2 & Crossfire don't scrimp on the PSU.
 
Good advice about the PSU. I plan on getting an Enermax Liberty PSU, so hopefully I'll be set with that.

I found some information regarding the A8R-MVP motherboard that I'd like you to take a look at:



On this sheet, it lists certain corsair memory as being compatible when using 4 sticks. One it lists is "VS512MB400". This sounds awfully like "Corsair Value Select 512MB PC3200", which is the RAM that I currently have 4 sticks of. Would you think this means it is safe to get?
 
MJCfromCT said:
On this sheet, it lists certain corsair memory as being compatible when using 4 sticks. One it lists is "VS512MB400". This sounds awfully like "Corsair Value Select 512MB PC3200", which is the RAM that I currently have 4 sticks of. Would you think this means it is safe to get?
Click to expand...

Note that also mentions a particular chip type (it's quite common for a memory module with the same name to use different chips over it's production life span).
If you are happy with the other issues that people have complained about on the A8R-MVP then, yes, but the caveat about memory speed/comd rate applies with 4 DIMMs.
 
Thanks for the reply, BUFF.

It seems I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Do you have any idea as to what sort of real-world impacts running the RAM at 2T, DDR333 speeds will have? I know that in synthetic benchmark programs it will show a drop in memory performance, but what about everyday gaming or photoshopping?

Also, what are the chances of getting a revision D or a revision E core chip if it is purchased in the next few weeks? Are almost all chips that are shipping now one of these cores?

I was able to find this:

The D core revision also known as Winchester allows using four double-sided DDR400 memory DIMMs if the Command Rate timing is set to 2T.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if this means it will work at 400 speeds if the command rate is set to 2T, or if it will work at 2T only at 333 speeds.
 
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