My present computer is a an Intel MOBO with a quad core processor, and two 2 GB sticks of DDR2-800 RAM.
It started experiencing random BSOD lockups, with the trouble pointing to memory issues.
At first, I thought that I had a bad stick of RAM, but it appears that both slots of memory channel 2 are bad.
I ran a memory checker and noted the failed address locations. Then I swapped the sticks around and noticed that the failed address locations seemed to stay with the slot, instead of following the DIMM to channel 1.
So... instead of having Slot 0 of channel 1 and slot 0 of channel 2 populated, I now have slot 0 and slot 1 of Channel 1 populated. (I should add that slot 1 of channel 2 also caused problems.)
All the hardware, and XP, seem to recognize the RAM, but it's obvious that I'll be running single channel instead of dual channel. (It even says so in the mobo manual. )

The question is, how much of a real world performance hit can I expect by running in this configuration?
(I could probably still RMA the motherboard, but it's a huge PITA, and I don't want to be without, for the interim.)

Also... is it possible that a bad CPU or socket that would cause issues that look like a bad memory channel?
It does seem to be heat related, but the system nor the CPU is running excessively hot.

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 09-09-2009).]

Just a thought, but if you can afford it, in the past I've just ordered a new one then sent the other back after the new one was up and running, then just asked for credit on the failed board and used that for something else.

I agree, to RMA it and be down for a few days is a PITA.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by Raydar: My present computer is a an Intel MOBO with a quad core processor, and two 2 GB sticks of DDR2-800 RAM. It started experiencing random BSOD lockups, with the trouble pointing to memory issues. At first, I thought that I had a bad stick of RAM, but it appears that both slots of memory channel 2 are bad. I ran a memory checker and noted the failed address locations. Then I swapped the sticks around and noticed that the failed address locations seemed to stay with the slot, instead of following the DIMM to channel 1. So... instead of having Slot 0 of channel 1 and slot 0 of channel 2 populated, I now have slot 0 and slot 1 of Channel 1 populated. (I should add that slot 1 of channel 2 also caused problems.) All the hardware, and XP, seem to recognize the RAM, but it's obvious that I'll be running single channel instead of dual channel. (It even says so in the mobo manual. ) The question is, how much of a real world performance hit can I expect by running in this configuration? (I could probably still RMA the motherboard, but it's a huge PITA, and I don't want to be without, for the interim.) Also... is it possible that a bad CPU or socket that would cause issues that look like a bad memory channel? It does seem to be heat related, but the system nor the CPU is running excessively hot. Thanks!

which quad-core are you using? I don't remember if Core2 had the mem controller onboard or not. In any case, the performance hit depends on the app, but probably a 10-15% penalty overall.

It's a Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
http://www.newegg.com:80/Pr...Item=N82E16819115017

The mobo is an Intel D975XBX2KR
http://www.newegg.com:80/Pr...Item=N82E16813121060

Of course, both the CPU and the mobo are "deactivated" in Newegg-speak

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 09-09-2009).]

quote Originally posted by Raydar: ... how much of a real world performance hit can I expect by running in [single channel memory mode]?

Based on my limited but multi-year, real-world experience on Intel D875PBZ and S875WP1-E motherboards (DDR2-800 ECC memory), the answer is "about 5%." You will probably not even notice.

That said, go ahead and RMA the motherboard. In the long run, you'll be glad you did.

[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 09-10-2009).]