Deathjam Posted August 22, 2009 Posted August 22, 2009 Two questions. Firstly, I bought some ram a few weeks ago. Two Sticks of OCZ 2gb RAM to go with my two sticks of 1gb ram to give me a total of 6gb. My motherboard has 4 RAM slots so enough for all and the RAM had the same CL timings and speed despite different size. Problem is that all the ram is dual layered (i assume this means that the chips are on both sides of the RAM) and the manual that came with the board says that dual layered Ram is not supported when all the banks are full due to chipset limitations, forcing me to just use the new ram, and pack away the old as they just wont work together. Have I properly understood what is going on? If not, is there a way around it? Here is the motherboard and RAM: Gigabyte GA-G31MF-S2 iG31 Socket 775 onboard VGA 6 channel audio mATX Motherboard - Out of stock from where i bought it. 2gb RAm now out of stock 4gb RAM My second question now is do I need a new drive. The one I pilfered from my old computer for my new one, is truly buggered. Bout 4 - 5 years old and has served me well. Used to use it to burn DVD and cds but really there is no need for that. Anyways, most of my games are bought through steam so no drive required there. Others are often MMOs so I can get those online too. DVD and Blu Ray I watch on my PS3. But there are some old games that I would love to play but they are on CDs/DVDs and I would rather install them legitimately rather that download them illegally (trying to steer away from those days). Another, rather lame option, is to keep trying with my current drive as it works from time to time, but this is rare. So, your suggestions people
Raining_again Posted August 22, 2009 Posted August 22, 2009 You can only use certain slots for dual sided ram and it wont accept any more ram in the other slots, that is correct, and there is no way around it. You CANNOT use the other slots (at all) By drive you mean CD drive? I'm finding it hard to find your second question...?
Deathjam Posted August 22, 2009 Author Posted August 22, 2009 You can only use certain slots for dual sided ram and it wont accept any more ram in the other slots, that is correct, and there is no way around it. You CANNOT use the other slots (at all) By drive you mean CD drive? I'm finding it hard to find your second question...? Major bummer on that first bit but thanks. Guess I will just give it away as usual Yeah sorry, Do i need a new CD/DVD/Blu Ray drive. Forgot to mention that if I was to get one, it would need some blu ray functionality as the practical person in side me does not like getting old hardware that will be missing useful functions in a years time, for example, getting a blu ray drive is fine, but in the future, i may want to burn some and I would not like to get a whole new drive for my new hobby. I.E. I buy for the future, but current prices for these are silly and I can't justify a new purchase.
Raining_again Posted August 22, 2009 Posted August 22, 2009 You want recommendations of new drives - is that what you are saying? =) this one is just a reader writer expensive! >_< (btw liteon drives are quality - i've had a few of them in the past and they've always been top notch) You could probably shop around and get cheaper prices
Deathjam Posted August 22, 2009 Author Posted August 22, 2009 You want recommendations of new drives - is that what you are saying? =) this one is just a reader writer expensive! >_< (btw liteon drives are quality - i've had a few of them in the past and they've always been top notch) You could probably shop around and get cheaper prices You think prices will come down anytime soon? Can't think of a single reason why they would though. Maybe I should just get a new DVD burner drive instead. I dunno >.<
Nolan Posted August 22, 2009 Posted August 22, 2009 Dual....Layered RAM? I have no idea what you are talking about. Do you mean Dual Channel RAM? Dual Channel just means that two sticks of RAM work in unison to provide double the bandwidth and that doesn't work in all slots, but if you go single channel and fill all slots it should be fine. Any RAM that is DDR2 is Dual Channel, DDR3 comes in Dual and Triple Channel kits too.
Deathjam Posted August 22, 2009 Author Posted August 22, 2009 (edited) Dual....Layered RAM? I have no idea what you are talking about. Do you mean Dual Channel RAM? Dual Channel just means that two sticks of RAM work in unison to provide double the bandwidth and that doesn't work in all slots, but if you go single channel and fill all slots it should be fine. Any RAM that is DDR2 is Dual Channel, DDR3 comes in Dual and Triple Channel kits too. Sorry, by dual layered, i mean 'double sided Dimms'. Looks like when I need RAM, if I don't get a new motherboard, I will be throwing/giving away this current RAM regardless of what I get. After looking at DVD drive prices, I think I will just pick up one of those. Stupidly cheap and not having a working drive is lame. Different question this time. Any benefits of getting a SATA over an IDE. I have SATA hard drives installed, but the DVD drive inside currently is IDE so I know my computer supports that. Edited August 22, 2009 by Deathjam
Nolan Posted August 22, 2009 Posted August 22, 2009 SATA is faster and allows for better cable management. As for Motherboards only supporting so many double sided DIMMs...I've never heard of that. Oh, did a search and now I see why. Since it's Micro ATX, they only managed to get 4 slots on the board by pairing them so close to each other. Makes sense now.
Raining_again Posted August 22, 2009 Posted August 22, 2009 and IDE cables are a bitch to fit as well =P
Deathjam Posted August 22, 2009 Author Posted August 22, 2009 True true. Remember how hard and annoying it was messing with those fat IDE cables when I first built the damn thing. Ok thanks for the advice guys. Probably get a drive soon.
Choze Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 I recommend Pioneer or Sony. Quieter and faster drives. Yeah go with Sata. Sounds like you are fine. We all learn alittle here and there at times.
Blue_Ninja0 Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 Yup, go if SATA if you can. Most of them should be SATA by now anyway. You won't benefit from any more speed because IDE was not saturated anyway, but it's always best for it to be future-proof and the cables are much smaller and better.
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