This intel link shows support for 6 banks...

[TQ]

This link apparently shows support for six rows.

http://developer.intel.com/design/ch...mainstream.htm

Sorry, meant to say "rows" in the subject line.

[Mushkin Rules]

Oh yeah? Indeed Intel 815 support 6 rows or banks of SDRAM, but operating at what MHz? So, to make this clear once for all, I quoted this from Intel document named 29068801.pdf regarding the Intel 815 Chipset Family: 82815 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) Datasheet - June 2000. I hope there is no question again about this, as you will have better understanding regarding this issue, after reading this official document from Intel. Download or read the document here: ftp://download.intel.com/design/chip...s/29068801.pdf

Or, another useful info: http://radified.com/CUSL2/cusl2_mushkin.htm

After you get the document, see page 17, as can be read here:

1.5. System Memory Interface
------------------------------------------
The GMCH integrates a system memory controller that supports a 64-bit 100/133 MHz SDRAM array.
The only DRAM type supported is industry standard Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM). The SDRAM
controller interface is fully configurable through a set of control registers.
The GMCH supports industry standard 64-bit wide DIMMs with SDRAM devices. The thirteen
multiplexed address lines (SMAA[12:0]) along with the two bank select lines (SBS[1:0]) allow the
GMCH to support 2M, 4M, 8M, 16M, and 32M x64 DIMMs. Only asymmetric addressing is supported.
The GMCH has 6 SCS# lines (2 copies of each for electrical loading), enabling the support of up to six
64-bit rows of SDRAM. The GMCH targets SDRAM with CL2 and CL3, and supports both single and
double-sided DIMMs. Additionally, the GMCH also provides a 1024 deep refresh queue. The GMCH
can be configured to keep up to 4 pages open within the memory array. Pages can be kept open in any
one bank of memory.
The Intel 815 chipset family supports up to 3 DIMM connectors in a system. A maximum of 2 doublesided
or 3 single-sided DIMMs may be populated when the SDRAM interface is operating at 133 MHz.
Upon detection that additional rows are populated beyond these configurations, the BIOS must downshift
the SDRAM clocks to 100 MHz through a two-wire interface of the system clock generator.

SCKE[5:0] is used in configurations requiring powerdown mode for the SDRAM.


SO IT IS CLEAR THAT OFFCOURSE THIS MOBO CAN SUPPORT 6 ROWS BUT AT 100 MHZ ONLY. 1 SDRAM THAT USES 2 SIDES (DOUBLESIDED) = 2 BANKS OR ROWS OF MEMORY. SO IF YOU USE 3 X DOUBLESIDED SDRAM, IT WILL COUNT AS 6 BANKS OR ROWS --> OPERATES AT ONLY 100 MHZ

[TQ]

I guess this means I shouldn't get another 128...

Too bad 256 MB sticks of the Rev3 weren't available when I was buying a couple of weekends ago.
As far as I can tell, they still aren't, since I didn't see any 256'ers of the Rev3 listed on Mushkin's site as of yesterday.

OK, back to optimizing Win2kPro to squeeze every last bit (or byte) of memory I can get.

Thanks for the detailed response, MR.

[TQ]

Woah...wait a second. Read this, which came from radified.com:

"So supposedly you can only use two 128MB REV 2 modules at a time without the motherboard automatically reverting to 100MHz. However in my experience, motherboard manufacturers aren't following that rule of reverting to 100MHz, and you can install 3 double sided DIMMs. But don't take my word for it, I would suggest following Intels suggestion even though some people may notice no ill affects. So I would suggest avoiding three 128MB REV 2 modules and would instead suggest getting 128MB REV 3 modules since they are single sided and allow you to install 3 modules while still following what Intel officially supports. Or you could get two 256MB REV 2 modules which are double sided. The 256MB REV 2 modules will allow you to achieve the maximum amount of memory that the i815 chipset supports, 512MB. As opposed to the REV 3 128MB modules, where you'd be limited to 384MB."

So, the Rev3's are single sided, eh? If I understand this correctly, it means I could actually populate all three and still run at 133Mhz.
If this is true, I wonder if I could continue to overclock AND have the benefit of another 128?

Mushkin Rules, please weigh in.

[Mushkin Rules]

Yes TQ, good news is the Rev 3 is Single Sided. It is just actually the same as 1 Stick 256 MB Rev 2 (Double Sided) like mine, but only that Mushkin took the other side off. So Rev 3, which is 128 MB in 1 stick is coming from 1 stick 256 MB Rev 2 with 1 side taken off. Everything, the chips, the pcb are all alike.

Although Anandtech reported that CUSL2 is the only Intel 815 mobo that can run all 3 DIMM at 133 stable, I would suggest follow the Intel guidelines, especially when overclocking. Read quoted from Anandtech: Potentially more important than any tweaking options was the stability of the CUSL2 in our tests - not only was it rock solid, but it remained so with the memory timings at their fastest settings with 3 DIMM's running at 133 MHz - a feat no other motherboard in this roundup could accomplish

Link: http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1291&p=7

So, to run CUSL2 at 133 stable You can have 2 stick Mushkin 128MB Rev 3 (single sided each) + 1 stick Mushkin 256Mb Rev 2. In total you will have 512 MB and 4 Banks of SDRAM. Or 3 sticks Rev3 with total of 384MB and 3 banks

[TQ]

Thanks for the response.

I e-mailed Mushkin tech support to get their insight as well.
If they also confirm that I can use three Rev 3 sticks and still overclock to the speeds it's advertised to do, I'll have to pick up another stick.

Win2KPro is a wonderful OS, but it does love to eat RAM.

[Edited by TQ on 05-20-2001 at 03:14 PM]

[Mushkin Rules]

Yes TQ, I am pretty sure CUSL2 can go with 3 sticks of Mushkin Rev 3 under heavy overclocking up to fsb 150 cas 2 guaranteed (provided you have better cooling & cpu). If you are lucky, then you might go up to 160 or 166 cas 2. My 1 stick 256MB rev 2 can go at fsb 160 cas 2 vcore 1.75 and fsb 166 cas 3-3-2 vcore 1.8. Also read this: Modding the Mushkin, the birth of Rev.3 at: http://www.lostcircuits.com/memory/rev3/

[TQ]

Excellent reading. If I had known this, I would have purchased two 256 sticks of the Rev 2.
Oh well...at least I can get a bit more oomph with another 128.

[TQ]

Mike at Mushkin confirms I can run with three singles at 133 and above, so I ordered another 128 stick.
It should be here by Friday. I'll then total out at 384 MB.
Win2kPro should be happy, I'd think.

[Mushkin Rules]

Great TQ

[TQ]

It's in, it works, it's sweet.
Three sticks, total of 384 MB of the Mushkin Rev 3 running at 2-2-2-5/7+139Mhz FSB.
Ran Sandra=416/480...