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So I was playing HL2 with only 512mb DDR and it was crawling. Peak mem usage after playing according to Task manager performance tab was around 750mb. I say to myself, OK just buy some new ram. I bought a nice new generic 1gb PC2100 module. I checked my motherboard manual and it says it will take 1gb sticks of DDR. Trouble is it only recognizes 512mb of the module. I am running a Shuttle AK32A with the latest firmware. Is there a setting somewhere in the BIOS that might fix this?

Also I bought a new XP2800+ to replace my old 2000+ and its only recognized as a 2600+. Its a 266FSB chip, which is what the board supports. Looking at shuttle's site, the highest processor that is listed is 2600+ @ 16x multiplyer. Any chance of getting this thing recognized correctly? If not its OK cuz 2600+ isnt that bad.



Thanks guys!

For the processor, you may need a BIOS update for the mobo to allow it to recognice the 2800+. If you can't, honestly you'll really never notice the difference.

First of all, it was a mistake to buy a single 1Gb stick. You lose the benefit of dual channel memory mode which is a substantial performance difference. I'd exchange that 1Gb stick for two matched 512Mb sticks if you can.

Secondly, modern mobos are VERY fussy about memory. Don't just buy any memory that's a good deal. You need to match the memory to your mobo. Use the online configuration database on the manufacturer's website (both Crucial and Corsair have one, probably others do too) to match the memory to your specific mobo.

Did you try and mix the new memory with the existing memory? Modern mobos are fussy about that. If they're not the same timing you could have issues, and if they're different sizes then sometimes i won't work onless you put each stick in a different bank.

Check the manual. There's usually a certain configuration for two matched sticks and another for unmatched sticks.

If you keep the 1Gb stick you're probably better off installing it by itself - I bet it's recognized as the proper size that way.

Hope this helps...

yeah i tried installing it by itself same thing. This is also an older board and i dont think it is dual channel (not 100% sure how it works?). I just chalk it up to crappy mem. Oh well. Thanks FP.

might also be too high density for the mb chipset to recognize, similar to the problem with hi density sdram and the older bx chipset


should try to get rid of it and replace with two 512s and update the mb bios to properly display cpu but as above, the cpu will run at its rated speed anyway

Well update for ya. I found a cheap board on newegg and bought it. Works perfect with the ram and the proc. Now I've got a nice 1.25gb of ram and a 2800+. Also decided to buy a new ATI X800 256mb. Runs world of warcraft great now! HL2 I've enver seen so smooth.

I did a quick check and your mobo doesn't support Dual channel. You just need to find memory that works on that mobo.