Compatibility with DDR2
Compatibility with DDR2
I received four 2GB DDR2 modules, delivered yesterday. I had several older desktops but lacked sufficient memory, so I added more RAM. There were no compatibility issues with the specified amount and speed. I installed all four modules on an Athlon X2 system that previously ran Windows 7 with an SSD. It started up but developed screen glitches after a short period of use. If left unaddressed, the system would freeze or trigger a BSOD. After rebooting, it recovered but returned to the same state. I didn’t notice this before when using slower RAM. I moved all four modules to a Pentium D system previously set up with an SSD and Windows 7. I reached the Windows startup screen, then it froze. Finally, I tried a Phenom CPU on a server motherboard unsupported by the BIOS (only officially for Opterons). It booted normally to desktop. Currently, I’m running Aida64 on it for memory testing and haven’t seen any errors after 18 minutes. The RAM appears to be Xum-branded, though the chips and SPD indicate Kingston support. So far, everything seems functional in this last configuration. All three systems show RAM near 800 MHz (the X2 was likely around 760 due to missing multiplier). In the Pentium D setup, the BIOS listed it as dual-rank. I’m questioning whether loading all these modules at once is too much, even though 800 MHz is supported. The X2 was an Acer OEM unit with no BIOS tweaks possible. The Pentium D was a Dell model, so I couldn’t adjust settings. I’ll need to reconsider those two systems using the 1GB 533 modules I previously used.
Same guideline applies now. Additional sticks make it tougher to run XMP. Each board shouldn't be set to 800mhz; you should have cleared the CMOS after installing these sticks. I think the typical default frequency for most DDR2 boards is 667mhz or 333mhz effective (as reported by the CPU).
The 800 speed remained within the SPD category. Was XMP used at that time? I don’t recall it. This might be a relevant factor. It’s also worth noting the modules are dual-rank compatible. The to-do is to test just one pair per system. Four GB should suffice considering the CPU performance.
The RAM was only rated at x speed. 800MHz wasn't usually the factory setting for motherboards, while 667MHz was the standard. I remember hearing about 2 and 4GB combinations that could be overclocked. I don't think I've ever pushed anything beyond that for gaming personally.
I have a s775 overclocking motherboard that some components might eventually replace. I’m aiming for a 3DMark Steam CPU overclock achievement. The DDR2 era feels like a distant memory. I’m confident my last setup ran 8GB on Core 2 systems—whether 4x2 or 2x4GB, and at what speed. I remember using gaming brands such as OCZ and Corsair. I really wish I still had those parts, not selling them cheap years ago. The three systems mentioned aren’t overclocking setups (no RAM settings), but if I plan to use them, I’d prefer the highest practical RAM performance possible.
8GB on DDr2 would have been excessive. I believe 8GB on DDR3 might have become the standard eventually. I was focused on gaming and overclocking, so someone using 8GB could have been plausible. You should still reset the CMOS during installation. Legacy BIOS will retain settings even after hardware swapping. This might have been your concern initially—just what I was saying. I used Mushkin BlackLine sticks, Corsair dominators, and I still have a great Geil collection.
I discovered a Core 2 system still participating in a BOINC project. It last connected back in 2015 and was reported with 6GB of RAM. Perhaps my recall is off—maybe I thought it had 8GB, or I adjusted the configuration by then. The X2 model is an Acer machine, while the Pentium D runs on a Dell platform. In both instances, expect a standard build rather than a high-end configuration. The mysterious Athlon in the Tyan server board has been the only one functioning without issues so far.