PCTech Forums

Ok, here's the deal. I've got an older board I'm messing with and this is what it says for RAM spechs:

Three 168-pin unbuffered DIMM using six memory banks.
Maximum memory size of 1.5GB (32M x 8).
Supports 3.3v SDRAM DIMM.

Like I said older board but my question is by reading this does it mean I can install a maximum of up to 1.5GB of RAM or a maximum of 768MB? I only ask because of this part: (32M x 8). Thanks guys n' gals.

That's 3 slots DDR?
I understand your concern but I'd assume 3 sticks of 512 would be it's max rather than 256.
Any chance you could tell us what the board is so we could look it up?

Let me save a lot of time:

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/deta ... turbo2.htm

I want to put 3 512's in. Whadya think?

I think the 32M x 8 is related to a design and not an actual value.
For example on this website you can see that in the SDRAM list there are 64Mx64 and 64Mx72 even though both are 512MB.

So, I'd say that if you can find a 512MB stick that uses the 32Mx8 design then you should be able to use all 1.5GB.
Look out for sticks that have 16 memory chips on them.

Oh ok so 16 chips is no good huh? How come? Oh and thank you for being a great help I really do appreciate it!

Maybe I should rephrase that. Look for 16 chips on the stick of RAM

The way I understand it, your mobo wants this 32Mx8 design, but we know that only comes to 256MB. I think there are sticks that have 32Mx8 but twice, so 16 chips. Those are the 512MB you should probably look for.

Ya 8 on each side is 16 per chip. I have found said RAM but from a retailer is still a bit pricey for me for an older board. Guess I'll try ebay.

out of date ram will be expensive im afriad. I was trying to help out a friend with an old computer recently and i advised against waisting the money on ram, save for a new pc

I heard it was better to fill your RAM slots than to put one large stick in one slot. Is this true?

Depends on the mother board. If it supports dual channel, or even tri channel on the new intel i7s, then you'll get better results with multiple sticks. Since yours is so old I wouldn't expect too much.

With that style board, each slot has its own limit. Your safest bet is to use 3 512's to guarantee you get all 1.5gb. A common problem with those boards were if you threw a 1 gb stick in it would only see 512 of it. As already mentioned, the newer ones dont work that way but your working on something far from new.

Ok all good replies and greatly appreciated...thank you all. Now one last thing before I put this topic to bed. If the specs say it takes 32mx8 RAM can I install 64x64? I've been having a bit of a problem finding a definitive answer for this one. Again here's a link to the mobo specs: http://www.msicomputer.com/product/deta ... turbo2.htm

Just to be clear, was that a typo of 64Mx4?
obviously enough that comes to 256MB just like 32Mx8 does.

I would expect that the mother board can only handle 32M chips on the RAM.

Although it would spoil this whole thread, I think you could save a some effort and money if you bin this stuff and buy some modern components in a discount/budget bin :P

Dude where did you see 64mx4? I posted 64x64. Doing a quick search on Crucial I found the following which is why I asked the question:
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts. ... 29&cat=RAM

So the question still stands but let me be as specific as possible, "If the specs page says 32mx8 RAM is what it the motherboard takes and Crucial says 64x64 is compatible if I get the 64x64 will there be a problem?" What do the 32x8 or 64x64 numbers mean anyway? Again thanks.

I need an answer soon. I'm watching a bid on ebay that ends tomorrow on 2 Kingston sticks and I'm not sure if it's a good buy or not. Please help me with the 64x64 question above. Thank you all.