Unganged memory ??

[glennc]

Hello to all,
Today I upgraded my system with a used Phenom-II and 4 GB of memory. The seller told me something about if the memory slots were different colors that I had to split the original 4 GB and place them in like colors, I forget the term he used, maybe dual channel. Something about the ability of the memory to be used more efficiently. On my Gigabyte board the memory slots were all the same color. So I just put the 2 new chips in the last two slots. The screen and bios says something about ganged and unganged memory. It appears to be running unganged, either correctly or not. How would I know for sure? This is well beyond my experience level and I wanted to get my machine to run optimum.
Also I noted when running CPU-Z, what seem to be strange readings for the memory.
Could someone be able to decipher the meaning and explain it to me. It doesn't look good to me.



Thanks for any and all assistance!
Glenn

 

[OldMX]

Ganged = 1x128 bit bandwidth
unganged = 2x64 bit bandwidth

Multiple core applications unganged is better
One Core applications ganged is better

Unganged or ganged you are still in duel channel though.

http://www.ilsistemista.net/index.p...ller-and-the-ganged-vs-unganged-question.html

 

[essenbe]

What you are showing is the memory in slot 1, there is the same info for each slot. The memory tab will tell you what speed your memory is running at and you want it to say Dual Chanel. If you have 2 different speeds of memory, the memory will run at the lowest speed installed. You are always better to have a matched set. But, it can be done with different sticks but is more likely to give problems.

 

[glennc]

What you are showing is the memory in slot 1, there is the same info for each slot. The memory tab will tell you what speed your memory is running at and you want it to say Dual Chanel. If you have 2 different speeds of memory, the memory will run at the lowest speed installed. You are always better to have a matched set. But, it can be done with different sticks but is more likely to give problems.

Hello again,
So you are saying that the four columns with the 4 different specs and speeds all relate only to the slot 1 memory stick. I should check each slot and compare. The thing that threw me was it saying 266Mhz and 400Mhz. What is the speed that slot one's memory is running? I will check the rest. I don't understand all the data being presented {:-(!
Thanks again!!
Glenn

 

[glennc]

Ganged = 1x128 bit bandwidth
unganged = 2x64 bit bandwidth

Multiple core applications unganged is better
One Core applications ganged is better

Unganged or ganged you are still in duel channel though.

http://www.ilsistemista.net/index.p...ller-and-the-ganged-vs-unganged-question.html

Hello OldMX,
Appreciate your knowledge and assistance. I do not understand what you wrote except that unganged is better with my Phenom-II X4. Thanks
Glenn

 

[bobkn]

This is the first suggestion I've seen that setting the system to use single-channel RAM mode (unganged) would give better performance than dual channel.

(I have been using Intel CPUs since Core2 was introduced. The Intel systems I've seen have no BIOS setting to set single channel operation, AFAIK.)

It's possible that the advantages of multiple channel RAM may not be seen outside of synthetic benchmarks. The memory bandwidth test in SiSoft SANDRA (SiSoftware Zone), for example, scales with multi-channel operation.

However, I suggest configuring your RAM to support dual channel operation. (P. 16 of your manual, available here: GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket AM2+ - GA-MA785GM-US2H (rev. 3.3)). Then you can choose which way to operate in the BIOS settings.

 

[glennc]

This is the first suggestion I've seen that setting the system to use single-channel RAM mode (unganged) would give better performance than dual channel.

(I have been using Intel CPUs since Core2 was introduced. The Intel systems I've seen have no BIOS setting to set single channel operation, AFAIK.)

It's possible that the advantages of multiple channel RAM may not be seen outside of synthetic benchmarks. The memory bandwidth test in SiSoft SANDRA (SiSoftware Zone), for example, scales with multi-channel operation.

However, I suggest configuring your RAM to support dual channel operation. (P. 16 of your manual, available here: GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket AM2+ - GA-MA785GM-US2H (rev. 3.3)). Then you can choose which way to operate in the BIOS settings.

Hello bobkn,
I had previously understood that dual channel was the better performance and my board supports it. So dual channel is ganged! Different opinions by different member is different!!!
Thanks for you information, I will check it out!
Glenn

 

[Dwarf]

When using dual-channel memory with an AMD processor, you have the option of running it in Ganged or UnGanged mode, dependant on the processor used. Basically, with AMD processors the memory controller is built-in to the CPU die. For older CPUs, there is only one controller, and you should therefore set the mode as Ganged (meaning that the memory operates as a single unit). Newer CPUs, such as the Phenom line, have two such controllers and you can set the mode as Ganged (where the memory operates as above - in this case, the controller associated with core#0 is responsible) or, for greater performance, as UnGanged (where each memory controller is responsible for a single channel). These options are available through the BIOS.

 

[glennc]

When using dual-channel memory with an AMD processor, you have the option of running it in Ganged or UnGanged mode, dependant on the processor used. Basically, with AMD processors the memory controller is built-in to the CPU die. For older CPUs, there is only one controller, and you should therefore set the mode as Ganged (meaning that the memory operates as a single unit). Newer CPUs, such as the Phenom line, have two such controllers and you can set the mode as Ganged (where the memory operates as above - in this case, the controller associated with core#0 is responsible) or, for greater performance, as UnGanged (where each memory controller is responsible for a single channel). These options are available through the BIOS.

Hello and thanks Dwarf,
Sorry for being dense, I have found out with bobkn's advice, how to change the memory modules on my specific board for dual channel mode. It is not set up correctly now. Just so I am sure, with the Phemon-II X4 965 chip, I WILL get better performance if I change it to the dual channel/ganged configuration. Thanks
Glenn

 

[alphanumeric]

What you are showing is the memory in slot 1, there is the same info for each slot. The memory tab will tell you what speed your memory is running at and you want it to say Dual Chanel. If you have 2 different speeds of memory, the memory will run at the lowest speed installed. You are always better to have a matched set. But, it can be done with different sticks but is more likely to give problems.

Hello again,
So you are saying that the four columns with the 4 different specs and speeds all relate only to the slot 1 memory stick. I should check each slot and compare. The thing that threw me was it saying 266Mhz and 400Mhz. What is the speed that slot one's memory is running? I will check the rest. I don't understand all the data being presented {:-(!
Thanks again!!
Glenn

The 4 different columns show the timings that would be used if you ran that module at that speed/frequency. High end RAM run in an economy or low end motherboard could result in it being run at a lower frequency than its rated for. Mismatched RAM modules can cause it also. The SPD just tells the motherboard what timings to use at the lower frequency.

 

[alphanumeric]

I have two identical Kingston 4 gig DDR3 PC 10700 (667 MHz) modules in this PC. My BIOS is set to unganged, which is its default setting. I don't think thats whats causing your long boot. Is it a long POST or a long boot to windows? Are your RAM modules matched? I'd compare the timings for each module at what ever frequency they are running at. If they are not close that could be your problem. Easy way to tell is to remove one module and see if you boot up faster.

 

[glennc]

What you are showing is the memory in slot 1, there is the same info for each slot. The memory tab will tell you what speed your memory is running at and you want it to say Dual Chanel. If you have 2 different speeds of memory, the memory will run at the lowest speed installed. You are always better to have a matched set. But, it can be done with different sticks but is more likely to give problems.

Hello again,
So you are saying that the four columns with the 4 different specs and speeds all relate only to the slot 1 memory stick. I should check each slot and compare. The thing that threw me was it saying 266Mhz and 400Mhz. What is the speed that slot one's memory is running? I will check the rest. I don't understand all the data being presented {:-(!
Thanks again!!
Glenn

The 4 different columns show the timings that would be used if you ran that module at that speed/frequency. High end RAM run in an economy or low end motherboard could result in it being run at a lower frequency than its rated for. Mismatched RAM modules can cause it also. The SPD just tells the motherboard what timings to use at the lower frequency.

Thanks Sir,
I have been sidetracked into getting my added memory set up. But I will take time to read your explanations and hopefully absorb knowledge! Greatly appreciated!
Glenn

 

[glennc]

I have two identical Kingston 4 gig DDR3 PC 10700 (667 MHz) modules in this PC. My BIOS is set to unganged, which is its default setting. I don't think thats whats causing your long boot. Is it a long POST or a long boot to windows? Are your RAM modules matched? I'd compare the timings for each module at what ever frequency they are running at. If they are not close that could be your problem. Easy way to tell is to remove one module and see if you boot up faster.

Hey,
I have to go back into the box as I set the memory in the slots incorrectly. I will do that and see if that helps. Do you suggest ganged or unganged????? Will let you know when and if I get back online.......................
Glenn

 

[alphanumeric]

Going by what dwarf posted " for greater performance, as UnGanged (where each memory controller is responsible for a single channel ", I'd go with unganged.

 

[glennc]

Going by what dwarf posted " for greater performance, as UnGanged (where each memory controller is responsible for a single channel ", I'd go with unganged.

Hello,
Well I sure wish I understood more, but I got lucky. I changed the chips to the proper order, rebooted and let it load optimized default, which was unganged BTW.
Not sure but the boot time might have quickened. But I did a system reassessement test and the processor went from pre-change 6.7 to post change 7.4. Memory went from 7.2 to 7.4, my onboard video score went from 3.6 to 4.1. All in all that seems like it did good. Still open for opinions and knowledgeable advice, but I am a happier camper!! Thanks to all that assisted! I checked the SPD and it showed 338.7 Mhz for ram speed, I guess that is what it is currently running.
Glenn

 

[essenbe]

In CPUz click on the memory tab. That will tell you what it is actually running.

 

[glennc]

In CPUz click on the memory tab. That will tell you what it is actually running.

Thank essenbe,
That page shows the speed at 334.9 MHz. Is that good??????
Glenn

 

[alphanumeric]

334.9 doesn't sound right? Shouldn't it be something like 667 MHz?

 

[glennc]

334.9 doesn't sound right? Shouldn't it be something like 667 MHz?

I haven't a clue, I know the memory speeds say 400 MHz. So I am just guessing.....
Glenn

 

[Dwarf]

What does the SPD tab report as to the memory capabilities? It sounds as though the effective memory frequency is 667MHz (remember that DDR memory transfers data on both leading and falling clock edges, resulting in an effective doubling of the actual clock rate), which would tie in quite nicely with the speed you report of 334.9MHz.