Re: [PLUG] Determining Memory Chip Speed
Dale Snell wrote: On Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:41:23 -0700 Richard C. Steffensrst...@comcast.net wrote: I used sudo dmidecode --type memory to try to learn the speed of my currently installed memory. (I'm thinking of adding some.) I find that I have two 512 MB modules installed out of a possible 3 modules. dmidecode says Current Speed: Unknown for both of those. Is there some other way -- short of taking the cover off the box -- to find out what speed the chips are? Your BIOS ought to be able to give you that information. At least, the ones I've used have. (I admit that my sample size isn't very big. One Tyan board and several ASUS boxen.) Another possibility is the lshw program. At least with lshw you won't need to reboot. :-) Second question: Can I add a 1 GB module to the third socket or do I need to replace the two 512 MB modules with 1 GB modules to get to 2 GB? There you'll have to check your motherboard's documentation. --Dale -- A fuse is a physical embodiment of Zen: In order for it to succeed, it must fail. ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug Use the dmidecode command to display your hardware. Look for Memory Module Information.It will display the supported speeds. Ken of CAD 2 CAM -- Ken Stephens SV Aventura Portland, OR ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Determining Memory Chip Speed
On 09/14/2011 08:52 PM, Ken Stephens wrote: Use the dmidecode command to display your hardware. Look for Memory Module Information. It will display the supported speeds. Thanks, Ken. It shows the supported speeds, but not the installed speeds. I'll open the box in the morning and have a look. I'll take that info with me when I go buy the new memory. The memory part of dmidecode: Handle 0x0007, DMI type 5, 22 bytes Memory Controller Information Error Detecting Method: 32-bit ECC Error Correcting Capabilities: Single-bit Error Correcting Supported Interleave: One-way Interleave Current Interleave: One-way Interleave Maximum Memory Module Size: 1024 MB Maximum Total Memory Size: 3072 MB Supported Speeds: 70 ns 60 ns Supported Memory Types: Standard FPM EDO Parity ECC SIMM Memory Module Voltage: 3.3 V Associated Memory Slots: 3 0x0008 0x0009 0x000A Enabled Error Correcting Capabilities: Single-bit Error Correcting Handle 0x0008, DMI type 6, 12 bytes Memory Module Information Socket Designation: DIMM1 Bank Connections: 1 0 Current Speed: Unknown Type: DIMM SDRAM Installed Size: 512 MB (Double-bank Connection) Enabled Size: 512 MB (Double-bank Connection) Error Status: OK Handle 0x0009, DMI type 6, 12 bytes Memory Module Information Socket Designation: DIMM2 Bank Connections: 3 2 Current Speed: Unknown Type: DIMM SDRAM Installed Size: 512 MB (Double-bank Connection) Enabled Size: 512 MB (Double-bank Connection) Error Status: OK Handle 0x000A, DMI type 6, 12 bytes Memory Module Information Socket Designation: DIMM3 Bank Connections: 5 4 Current Speed: Unknown Type: Unknown Installed Size: Not Installed Enabled Size: Not Installed Error Status: OK -- Regards, Dick Steffens ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Determining Memory Chip Speed
On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 11:41 AM, Richard C. Steffens rst...@comcast.netwrote: I used sudo dmidecode --type memory to try to learn the speed of my currently installed memory. (I'm thinking of adding some.) I find that I have two 512 MB modules installed out of a possible 3 modules. dmidecode says Current Speed: Unknown for both of those. Is there some other way -- short of taking the cover off the box -- to find out what speed the chips are? Second question: Can I add a 1 GB module to the third socket or do I need to replace the two 512 MB modules with 1 GB modules to get to 2 GB? Thanks. -- Regards, Dick Steffens HI I am thinking finding out the Mother Board type is important to answer these questions. Marvin ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Determining Memory Chip Speed
On Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:41:23 -0700 Richard C. Steffens rst...@comcast.net wrote: I used sudo dmidecode --type memory to try to learn the speed of my currently installed memory. (I'm thinking of adding some.) I find that I have two 512 MB modules installed out of a possible 3 modules. dmidecode says Current Speed: Unknown for both of those. Is there some other way -- short of taking the cover off the box -- to find out what speed the chips are? Your BIOS ought to be able to give you that information. At least, the ones I've used have. (I admit that my sample size isn't very big. One Tyan board and several ASUS boxen.) Another possibility is the lshw program. At least with lshw you won't need to reboot. :-) Second question: Can I add a 1 GB module to the third socket or do I need to replace the two 512 MB modules with 1 GB modules to get to 2 GB? There you'll have to check your motherboard's documentation. --Dale -- A fuse is a physical embodiment of Zen: In order for it to succeed, it must fail. ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Determining Memory Chip Speed
On Sep 13, 2011, at 11:41 AM, Richard C. Steffens wrote: Is there some other way -- short of taking the cover off the box -- to find out what speed the chips are? How about getting the model number, if available, and checking with the manufacture. Russell Johnson r...@dimstar.net ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Determining Memory Chip Speed
On 09/13/2011 11:41 AM, Richard C. Steffens wrote: dmidecode says Current Speed: Unknown for both of those. When I run dmidecode I get speeds for my modules, showing as DMI type 17 (also as type 6, showing current speed in ns). Just a guess, perhaps the sticks or the MB don't support speed reports. Is there some other way -- short of taking the cover off the box -- to find out what speed the chips are? Well, leading to the second question, if you're gonna crack the case and add RAM, may as well do it now to see what they are. If they're OE installed then they probably are the same speed as the MB can handle; check online for system specs (You'd want to meet those specs anyway when buying RAM). Second question: Can I add a 1 GB module to the third socket or do I need to replace the two 512 MB modules with 1 GB modules to get to 2 GB? My HP came with 2x512 @ 533MHz. I added 2x1024 @ 533 (at the time I couldn't afford 4 sticks). If you can afford it, make all the sticks identical in size and speed. I seem to recall something about a performance hit using different sized modules, but I can't back that up. Different speeds means the slowest will set the standard. Larry ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Determining Memory Chip Speed
On 09/13/2011 11:58 AM, Marvin Kosmal wrote: On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 11:41 AM, Richard C. Steffensrst...@comcast.netwrote: I am thinking finding out the Mother Board type is important to answer these questions. I ran lshw yesterday while looking for what kind of memory I have, so I already have the motherboard info: MSI MS-6380E Details in a review at: http://reviews.cnet.com/motherboards/msi-ms-6380e-motherboard/1707-3049_7-30644067.html On 09/13/2011 12:04 PM, Larry Williams wrote: ... Just a guess, perhaps the sticks or the MB don't support speed reports. Could be. Well, leading to the second question, if you're gonna crack the case and add RAM, may as well do it now to see what they are. If they're OE installed then they probably are the same speed as the MB can handle; check online for system specs (You'd want to meet those specs anyway when buying RAM). I remember putting one of them in myself several years ago when upgrading to a whole gig was a big deal. According to the CNET review, the motherboard supports 333 MHz, 200 MHz, and 266 MHz. I figure that once I know what the installed ones are I'll get another that is the same speed. If you can afford it, make all the sticks identical in size and speed. Economy is required. Hence, I'm trying to keep what I have and just add another gig. I seem to recall something about a performance hit using different sized modules, but I can't back that up. That would be useful to know since performance is something I'm trying to improve. Different speeds means the slowest will set the standard. I assumed there would be some gotcha if they were mixed. I thought they might not work together at all. On 09/13/2011 12:25 PM, Dale Snell wrote: Your BIOS ought to be able to give you that information. At least, the ones I've used have. (I admit that my sample size isn't very big. One Tyan board and several ASUS boxen.) If I don't come up with another solution I'll try that before pulling the cover off the case. Another possibility is the lshw program. At least with lshw you won't need to reboot. As mentioned above, I've tried that. Second question: Can I add a 1 GB module to the third socket or do I need to replace the two 512 MB modules with 1 GB modules to get to 2 GB? There you'll have to check your motherboard's documentation. Now that you mention it, I think I still have the motherboard box, and the docs. I'll have to dig those out. On 09/13/2011 12:33 PM, Russell Johnson wrote: How about getting the model number, if available, and checking with the manufacture. See above. Thanks for all the ideas. I'll do some more digging and see what I find. -- Regards, Dick Steffens ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Determining Memory Chip Speed
On Sep 13, 2011, at 1:30 PM, Richard C. Steffens wrote: MSI MS-6380E According to crucial.com your motherboard supports: Memory Type: DDR PC3200, DDR PC2700, DDR (ECC) Maximum Memory: 3GB Slots: 3 Each memory slot can hold DDR PC3200, DDR PC2700 with a maximum of 1GB per slot. As far as price, it doesn't matter wether you buy PC3200 or PC2700 non-ECC memory. It's the same price. Russell Johnson r...@dimstar.net ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Determining Memory Chip Speed
On 09/13/2011 02:17 PM, Russell Johnson wrote: On Sep 13, 2011, at 1:30 PM, Richard C. Steffens wrote: MSI MS-6380E According to crucial.com your motherboard supports: Memory Type: DDR PC3200, DDR PC2700, DDR (ECC) Maximum Memory: 3GB Slots: 3 Each memory slot can hold DDR PC3200, DDR PC2700 with a maximum of 1GB per slot. Thanks. As far as price, it doesn't matter wether you buy PC3200 or PC2700 non-ECC memory. It's the same price. I've noticed that in the price shopping I've been doing. I'll try rebooting and dropping into the bios to see if there's anything to see there. Otherwise, I'll shut down and open up the case. -- Regards, Dick Steffens ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Determining Memory Chip Speed
As far as price, it doesn't matter wether you buy PC3200 or PC2700 non-ECC memory. It's the same price. Be aware that the PC2700 can be faster than the PC3200. If you're running at PC2700 speed and the PC2700 is CL2.5 while the PC3200 is CL3, there will be a performance hit with the PC3200. Also, the speed of the other modules will effect maximum memory speed. I haven't played around with three module configurations but making sure the two 512MB modules are interleaved may help a bit, depending on the sophistication of the chipset, the BIOS, phase of the moon, etc. Burn a boot disk with Memtest86+ and play musical DIMMs to see what works best. http://www.memtest.org/ or many Linux install disks offer it as a boot option. NealS ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
Re: [PLUG] Determining Memory Chip Speed
On Tue, Sep 13, 2011 at 7:51 PM, Neal nsed...@gmail.com wrote: As far as price, it doesn't matter wether you buy PC3200 or PC2700 non-ECC memory. It's the same price. Be aware that the PC2700 can be faster than the PC3200. If you're running at PC2700 speed and the PC2700 is CL2.5 while the PC3200 is CL3, there will be a performance hit with the PC3200. Also, the speed of the other modules will effect maximum memory speed. I haven't played around with three module configurations but making sure the two 512MB modules are interleaved may help a bit, depending on the sophistication of the chipset, the BIOS, phase of the moon, etc. Burn a boot disk with Memtest86+ and play musical DIMMs to see what works best. http://www.memtest.org/ or many Linux install disks offer it as a boot option. NealS I am thinking with a system this mature. RAM speed is not going to do much either way. Did you mention CPU speed? Marvin ___ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
