CPU/Mobo How to Utilize 4 GB RAM

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Well, I have 4 GB RAM in the form of 4 sticks of 1 GB each.

Product Link : Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4

Now my motherboard is Abit IP35e with 4 slots, made for dual channel RAM utilization.

I have these matching sticks placed in all 4 slots.

My question is : Whether I will be better of with 2 sticks of 2 GB each in dual channel , if yes then how much performance boost am I looking at ?

Because some googling revealed that IP35e motherboard has some issues when all 4 slots are full. As when the memtest runs at the boot up , it almost always fails when all the 4 slots are full but passes when i test the sticks individually or even 3 at a time.

IF that is the case, I can probably exchange these sticks ( on TE) with a pair or 2 GB instead, if that is worth it ?
 
I doubt you would get a performance change -- or noticeable performance gain. You are not able to reach the desktop with four DIMMs plugged in.

What happens when you alternate. Color wise.
 
baccilus said:
But what is the explanation for his sticks to fail the mem test?
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Something wrong with the board itself? I think he already mentioned that.

Because some googling revealed that IP35e motherboard has some issues when all 4 slots are full. As when the memtest runs at the boot up , it almost always fails when all the 4 slots are full but passes when i test the sticks individually or even 3 at a time.
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baccilus said:
But what is the explanation for his sticks to fail the mem test?
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Either board or DIMMs. During the LGA775 days -- some boards had issues with all slots populated. Same reason I never went for 4 sticks, was thinking once to put in 8 GB.
 
^^ Hehe.

I am on Windows 7 32 BIT ( dont want to go in for 64 bit for compatibility issues ). I have no problems in booting to desktop even with all sticks plugged in; it's just the fact that the memtest fails in this situation ( although all slots individually work fine ) that worries me if there is some problem in the bridge between the slots when all are populated. . so was asking our advice.

@Ultima : Would there be people willing to trade it ? I dont want to get into the mode of selling and rebuying. . too much of a hassle for me rite now :(
 
^^

Why you memtesting it, if the system is stable..? Also is there some specific software which restrains you to migrate to 64BIT..?
 
my advice...if it ain't broke don't fix it.
You're not facing any issues except in memtest.
You're using a 32 bit OS which can't use 4 GB of RAM.

DDR2 RAM is outdated and relatively expensive. Investing in a new pair of sticks just so you can run memtest without errors seems pointless, unless you really love running memtest.
 
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asingh said:
^^

Why you memtesting it, if the system is stable..? Also is there some specific software which restrains you to migrate to 64BIT..?
Click to expand...
Nothing in particular. . but it is my general inhibition against it. . I fear I may face some issues with it and then curse my self. .

As one of the members said. . if it aint broke. .dont fix it ?

Majority of you seem to believe that it wont bring any major changes. . so I'll drop the idea for now. Until i screw something up real bad and have to go in for a DDR 3 setup anyways :P
 
1. With 4 sticks it may be much more difficult to OC.

2. Some boards might not support dual channel with 4 sticks, though I am not 100% certain on this.

3. AFAIK some boards might face trouble with running the RAM at their max speed with four sticks.

4. Some boards may have compatibility issues as well, eg: Asus A8N E or Asus P5N E etc.

I always prefer 2 sticks rather than 4 for this reason.
 
Are you on the latest bios, because the abit boards had lots of bios issues mainly bugs.
Try updating to the latest one.

And yes if you get 2x2gb instead of 4x1gb, the performance gain might be 2-3% or less, though you will save some power.
 
Dear OP, 64Bit is becoming the new standard. In case you haven't noticed, RAM prices are really down and most people are buying new computers with 4Gigs of RAM. 64 Bit is, as of today, relatively issue-free.
 
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