One DIM per channel? + please check my specs

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by claptrap, Jul 27, 2009.

  1. claptrap

    claptrap Private First Class

    Hi! I'm going to build a budget pc with enough oomph for everyday tasks. I have a habit of having several office files/apps open at the same time but I'm more into retro and break time games than the latest and greatest. Hopefully this pc will allow some upgrade path too.

    I usually start my build by choosing motherboard and I found Asus M4A78 770 Socket AM2+ in Ebuyer: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/167128#

    There is a quote in discussion of the product: "Due to AMD CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is supported by AM2+/AM3 CPU for one DIMM per channel only. Refer to www.asus.com for the memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists)." I don't know that much about computers and I am not sure what this quote means, the one dimm per channelbit?

    Well, I went to the Asus site but couldn't find any reference to this board so I'm still in the dark about the QVL list, too.

    Basically, I was going to marry this board with Phenom X3 8650 2.3GHz processor and of cheap (but stable) RAM. I guess any labeled RAM would do, as long as it is the right speed. I haven't decided yet what OS I'm going to go for except it's going to be Linux, but I understand they are all 64bit and love plenty of memory? I was going to go for 2GB but should I get more? How much is plenty without going overboard?

    I think my friend mentioned of a spare Radeon 4800 series graphics card (4830 I think) I could have. As my old computer doesn't have a PCI Express connector, I'm also in the market for a new PSU, something like Pwercool's 550W offering, although it has only 1 PCI-E and 4 Sata connectors - less than the motherboard supports. Would this PSU be powerful enough?

    Luckily I am perfectly happy with my CD-writer and DVD player, old and grey as they may be. :) Case? Well, the current one was designed in the times when passive air intake in front and a PSU fan pushing out hot air was adequate... So now I'm dreaming of getting a new budget case too! I don't care about looks but something adequate cooling and maybe with spacious design... Any ideas?

    I'm trying to keep the whole build as close to £200 mark as possible without compromising too much of features (like eSata and Express Gate).
     
  2. claptrap

    claptrap Private First Class

    Thanks for the fast reply. :) My existing computer has 2*1GB in 1 & 3 dimm slots, which are different colour to the 2 & 4 ones - are these the primary dimms?

    As I understand it, with AMD processors I cannot take advantage of all of the four slots, so unless I can find 2 * 8 GB memory sticks I cannot take advantage of the maximum allowance? Then why do manufacturers crowd AMD motherboards with 4 dimms, or does this limitation only affect certain processors? Or are they hoping that maybe in future a firmware update will fix this?

    I'm just curious at the moment, even buying 4 GB is pushing my wallet to the limit - but it would be nice to understand this and to know what are my chances of adding extra dimms later. Hmm, 16GB :yum Of course, I have lived quite happily with 750 MB ram (512MB + 256MB) and onboard graphics, so I expect some improvement, even if I cannot replace the onboard sound with a dedicated card just yet. I (I do have a Soundblaster Live 5.1 card but I suspectit being a bit old now, it's no better than the mobo's offering.)

    Now I would just like to know if there are KMV cables with DVI switch, to make the most of the new technology, without losing my old computer?
     

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