Abit IC7-G & DDR Memory at 200/160MHz - want higher!

Seanie M

Hi all,

I have an Abit Ic7-G mobo with a P4 2.8GHz processor. I have 2GB RAM (2 X 512MB on slots 1 and 3, 1 X 1GB on slot 2). Before I added the 1GB, the RAM was running at 333MHz. Now with the introduction of the 1GB, its running at 200/160MHz. What has caused this loss in frequency?

With this board, you have to install similar modules on either slots 1 and 3, or 2 and 4. But, when I removed the 1GB and leave the 2 512 sticks on slots 1 and 3, and restart, it still says its running at 200/160MHz at the POST.

According to the manual, there is no need to do anything in the BIOS to the RAM (modules).

Where am I going wrong?

Seanie.

Dempsey

your running a memory divider.The FSB is 200 (4 x 200MHz = 800MHz) and the memory is running at 160 (4 x 160 = 640MHz), 5:4. Are you using PC2700? Then the memory is going to be running at that speed to make it run with the CPU. P4's need PC3200+

You should have bought the RAM in pairs to have the performance mode enabled.

Seanie M

Hhhmmm... you'll have to enlightne me a bit more Dempsey. You see, the RAM is PC2700. But, when the 2 512's were in, at the start-up it said the RAM frequency WAS 333MHz. Now, its down to 200/160 with the introduction of the 1GB. And, when I remove the 1GB, and have the 512's back on their own, its STILL at 200/160MHz...

Seanie.

BloodBath

What speed is the 1 gb stick? It's simply a case of changing the divider back on your mobo to match the speed of your ram but all the ram will have to run at the speed of the lowest speed ram.

1:1 for pc3200
5:4 for pc2700
3:2 for pc2100


BloodBath

Col_Loki

Just sounds like the board is reporting the base figure for what the Ram is running at. Ie 160mhz (320mhz DDR) where it was 166mhz (333mhz DDR) before..........

The memory speed is almost the exact same the board is just posting a different variation of the speed.

Since you have 2x512mb and 1x1gb , are you still running Dual-DDR? Ie 1gb in each channel........

Seanie M

BloodBath wrote:

What speed is the 1 gb stick? It's simply a case of changing the divider back on your mobo to match the speed of your ram but all the ram will have to run at the speed of the lowest speed ram.

1:1 for pc3200
5:4 for pc2700
3:2 for pc2100


BloodBath

The 1GB stick is a 333MHz stick, its got all the same numbers as the other two 512's.

Seanie M

Col_Loki wrote:

Just sounds like the board is reporting the base figure for what the Ram is running at. Ie 160mhz (320mhz DDR) where it was 166mhz (333mhz DDR) before..........

Since you have 2x512mb and 1x1gb , are you still running Dual-DDR? Ie 1gb in each channel........

I have 4 DIMM slots - does that also mean 4 channells or 8 channels?

I know what you're saying Loki, its that all the RAM should be running at 333MHz. I just don't get why if I remove the 1GB and leave the 2 512's as they were, it still shows RAM Frequency at 200/160MHz?


Thanks for the input too guys!

BloodBath

I I have 4 DIMM slots - does that also mean 4 channells or 8 channels?

I know what you're saying Loki, its that all the RAM should be running at 333MHz. I just don't get why if I remove the 1GB and leave the 2 512's as they were, it still shows RAM Frequency at 200/160MHz?


Thanks for the input too guys!?

200:160 is the same as 5:4 which is what I said earlier. 5:4 for pc2700 ram which is ddr333 mhz so it is running at the right speed.


BloodBath

Seanie M

BloodBath wrote:

200:160 is the same as 5:4 which is what I said earlier. 5:4 for pc2700 ram which is ddr333 mhz so it is running at the right speed.


BloodBath

Which sounds logical...

...then why did it 'drop' on the screen at startup?

Col_Loki

The Ram most lightly changed from "Auto"or"by SPD" where it reports as DDR333 (166mhz) to using the clearer divider 5:4 or DDR 320 (160mhz).... most lightly because of different SPD's (holds the Ram info) on the memory.

Seanie M

Again, sounds logical Loki...


thanks for the insight guys. At least it all works with this Microsoft crap on it!