More RAM = Performance Index Fail?

[Cortexian]

So, I just added another gig of ram to my system (bringing it up to it's maximum recognizable amount of 3GB's). My RAM was giving me a rating of 5.9 at 2GB's and it just dropped down to 4.7! WTH? I notice a visible performance increase. But not according to Windows...

[Patrickssj6]

Do you have 3 Dims? If yes, you should be slapped in the face by some ePenor.

[Cortexian]

Yea... Why not?

[Patrickssj6]

First of all...3 dims is always a bad idea. If you read the manual of most motherboards they'll tell you that 3 dims can call BSOD, system crashed, instability etc.

Next thing is the processor has to "sync" with the memory. I can't explain that to you, you'd probably have to look that up, but that is probably the reason you get a lower score.

"I am sure the motherboard would run 3 modules, but this would be slower in memory performance than 2" - Here (http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20071003171135421&board_id=1&model=M2NPV-MX&page=1&SLanguage=en-us)

That's only one article.

[Cortexian]

I know that the processor should sync with the RAM... But it isn't that big of a deal is it? I've seen motherboards with ONLY 3 DIM slots...

I'll see if I can find a couple 512 sticks >.>

Or how bout I add the other 1 GB stick that it came packaged with? Will it result in better stability even though Windows won't recognize the other gig?

[Patrickssj6]

You have 3 cups in front of you. You are suppose to transport them as fast as possible from one side to the other but you can carry only 1 cup in each hand. ;)

[Cortexian]

Yea, I understand... But my dads computer has been running with 3 256 DDR dim's forever... No issues...

[Patrickssj6]

There are so many factors affecting this...voltage, frequency and size itself; with 3GB you are really on the edge (2.75 - 3.25GB 32-bit)

[Cortexian]

Yea, I'm getting a couple 512 sticks... Voltages are fine for me, 800 Watt PSU, and I have my memory voltages manually tuned for each DIM slot...

[Phopojijo]

Also could matter if the stick you put in was VERY crappy and the sticks you had were awesome... it would drop the latency and frequency to the lowest member.

[Cortexian]

Also could matter if the stick you put in was VERY crappy and the sticks you had were awesome... it would drop the latency and frequency to the lowest member.
All the DIM's where the same. All awesome.

[Patrickssj6]

All the DIM's where the same. All awesome.
Obviously Vista disagrees :p

[Cortexian]

Obviously Vista disagrees :p
I'm assuming Vista disagrees because I had 2 DIM's on one side and 1 on the other.

[Zeph]

Memory will always be better when working in pairs. I've forgotten the terminology, but it's like having two hard drives working in RAID. With the third RAM module, it works less efficiently to try and make use of it. If you get a fourth module and upgrade to a 64-bit OS, you'll notice a good gain in preformance; that is of course assuming the rest of your hardware has 64-bit drivers.

[Cortexian]

Memory will always be better when working in pairs. I've forgotten the terminology, but it's like having two hard drives working in RAID. With the third RAM module, it works less efficiently to try and make use of it. If you get a fourth module and upgrade to a 64-bit OS, you'll notice a good gain in preformance; that is of course assuming the rest of your hardware has 64-bit drivers.
Fat chance of me EVER upgrading to a 64 bit edition of Windows for awhile. I'll just get a couple 512 DIM's.