memory speed drops from 400 (in 2 ch) to 333 (in 4 ch)

Posted this in the Dell forums - no response - so here's hoping for some advice here.

I just installed 2x512 (in DIMM 2 and 4) to supplement existing 2x512 (in DIMM 1 and 3) and my memory speed dropped from 400 to 333. Is this a known limitation? System spec as follows:

Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition OS Service Pack Service Pack 2

CPU Type Intel Pentium 4, 2800 MHz (14 x 200) Northwood HT
Motherboard Name Dell Dimension 8300
Motherboard Chipset Intel Canterwood i875P/E7210
System Memory 2048 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Phoenix (09/27/04) (AO7)

SPD Memory Modules:
DIMM1: Micron Tech. 16VDDT6464AG-40BC4 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-3-3-7 @ 166 MHz) (2.0-2-2-6 @ 133 MHz)

DIMM2: Corsair VS512MB400 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (2.5-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz)

DIMM3: Micron Tech. 16VDDT6464AG-40BC4 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-3-3-7 @ 166 MHz) (2.0-2-2-6 @ 133 MHz)

DIMM4: Corsair VS512MB400 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (2.5-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz)

If I wanted 2GB of RAM would I have been better off getting 2x1GB sticks? Am I better off with 2GB at 333 with CL of 2.5 or 1GB at 400 with CL of 3?

Thanks for any help.

 

The fact that the ram is steeping down from 400 to 333 when using 4 sticks of ram in dual channel configuration is fine. My Asus board would behave in exactly the same way if I were to populate all 4 ram slots. This is done from a stability point of view. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can provide the tech reason. On some boards also with all 4 ram slots populated you would also have to run at 2T Command also.

In respect of using 2x 1GB stick, then you would again be able to run at 400. Personally, I would always choose faster ram ie 400 CL3 instead of the 333 at CL2.5. I think that the faster timing would provide only a very modest tweak.

Hopefully others users will provide their viewpoint.

Good Luck

 

Go with the bigger amount of memory. As a general rule, more gigabytes always top more megahertz... you'll see faster/better performance from 2GB of slow memory than from 1GB of faster memory.

Since I am running out of ways to say the exact same thing, I'm stopping now. You get my point.

 

vikiing4570, sorry misread your post earlier

As Mimsy has stated more ram is better. I did not note that you changed the ram amount down to 1GB for the 400.

 

Since I can't see your board, I don't know if its one where the channels are odd and even 1/3 and 2/4 or slot 1&2 and slot 3&4. Usually the board manufacturer will color the slots differently to indicate which are for which pairs. So if you corsairs are in the same color slots and the micron too then your ok. What I do notice is that the microns will run at 2.5 if the fsb is 166 and the corsairs are 2.5 at 200mhz.

You can try to swap pairs, put the corsairs where the microns are and visa versa to see if putting the cart before the horse makes a differance.

 

Are the chips the same voltage and does your Dell support high or low voltage chips?
I found chips run from 1.8 to 3.3 V
I found my Compaq ONLY will accept 2.5 and Dell's were notorious for being fussy about the memory. This was a lock in bios to keep you from overclocking.....