This is what I am getting,
MSI 770-C45 motherboard,
2x2GB DDR3-1600 ram,
Phenom II CPU,
It's been awhile since I built a PC (almost 4 years) so I have a few
questions I'm hoping someone can help me with, I downloaded the mobo
manual but it doesn't tell you much.
1a) The mobo manual says...In Dual-Channel mode, make sure that you
install memory modules of the same type and density in different channel
DIMM slots.
So with 2-sticks do I install one stick in Dimm slot 1 and the other
stick in Dimm slot 3? (dimm slots 1&2 are black, dimm slots 2&3 are
blue).
1b) What if I get 2 more sticks later on but a different type, does one
pair go into the black slots and the other pair goes into the blue
slots?
2) What is the default speed ram runs on the AMD AM3 cpu/boards? I'm
installing a Phenom II X2 550 BE with two DDR-1600 sticks for now.
3) I currently have two Asus boards and they have an option in the BIOS
to boot-up from a keyboard key or mouse, does the MSI 770-C45 have any
option like that?
Ed wrote:
> Hi,
>
> This is what I am getting,
> MSI 770-C45 motherboard,
> 2x2GB DDR3-1600 ram,
> Phenom II CPU,
>
> It's been awhile since I built a PC (almost 4 years) so I have a few
> questions I'm hoping someone can help me with, I downloaded the mobo
> manual but it doesn't tell you much.
>
> 1a) The mobo manual says...In Dual-Channel mode, make sure that you
> install memory modules of the same type and density in different channel
> DIMM slots.
> So with 2-sticks do I install one stick in Dimm slot 1 and the other
> stick in Dimm slot 3? (dimm slots 1&2 are black, dimm slots 2&3 are
> blue).
>
> 1b) What if I get 2 more sticks later on but a different type, does one
> pair go into the black slots and the other pair goes into the blue
> slots?
>
>
> 2) What is the default speed ram runs on the AMD AM3 cpu/boards? I'm
> installing a Phenom II X2 550 BE with two DDR-1600 sticks for now.
>
>
> 3) I currently have two Asus boards and they have an option in the BIOS
> to boot-up from a keyboard key or mouse, does the MSI 770-C45 have any
> option like that?
>
>
> Thanks for any help you can provide!
> Cheers,
> Ed
The MSI manual seems to suggest DDR3-1333 is the highest nominal RAM speed
and anything higher is an overclock.
You get a bit more detail from the MSI test document for your motherboard.
They have run four sticks at DDR3-1333, but DDR3-1600 rates suggest
a two stick limit. To reach those speeds, many modern boards need
command rate 2T timing setting, to help reach that speed.
The MSI downloadable user manual is one of the poorer ones I've seen.
They prepared the document, using a document layout tool, rather than
a text editor. They "broke" the ability to use the text search function
in Acrobat Reader. I cannot find "DDR3" in the manual, because "DDR"
is separated from the number "3" in such a way as to defeat a text search.
Skimming through the manual, there is no mention of which slot is on
which channel. Going by color scheme alone, you place a pair of matched
sticks in same-colored slots, to get dual channel.
By using memtest86+ ( memtest.org ), you can compare slot configurations
for bandwidth.
I believe AMD processors have "linked" versus "unlinked" options, which
actually take the processor out of dual channel mode. On a quad core,
sometimes unlinked is better, because it gives two independent memory
banks for the four cores to play with. With a nominally two core processor,
you can play with that, and see which setting you like better. Since the
fine user manual provided by MSI, doesn't include pictures of all the
BIOS screens, I cannot tell you where to find that setting.
So you have two ways to influence how the memory works. By setting
the BIOS to "linked" mode, then the physical position of the memory
sticks in the slots, may affect the benchmark-able memory bandwidth.
You can use memtest86+ to display that information, even before you
install an OS. With "linked" selected, which is likely not the BIOS
default, you can try sticks in 1&2 versus 1&3. The like-colored slots
should be dual channel, but memtest86+ will tell you that for sure.
I haven't tried memtest86+ lately. I have an older copy.
There used to be three bandwidth indicators on the screen.
L1, L2, and DIMM speed. Now that there are more processors out
with L1, l2, L3, and DIMMs, there really need to be four bandwidth
indicators on the screen. The lowest bandwidth of those, should be
the one for the DIMMs. The DIMM indicator is the one you want to
benchmark with.
Don't install the OS, until you can do a couple full test passes
with memtest86+, error free.
On Sun, 09 Aug 2009 01:49:25 -0400, Paul <nospam@needed.com> wrote:
>Ed wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> This is what I am getting,
>> MSI 770-C45 motherboard,
>> 2x2GB DDR3-1600 ram,
>> Phenom II CPU,
>>
>> It's been awhile since I built a PC (almost 4 years) so I have a few
>> questions I'm hoping someone can help me with, I downloaded the mobo
>> manual but it doesn't tell you much.
>>
>> 1a) The mobo manual says...In Dual-Channel mode, make sure that you
>> install memory modules of the same type and density in different channel
>> DIMM slots.
>> So with 2-sticks do I install one stick in Dimm slot 1 and the other
>> stick in Dimm slot 3? (dimm slots 1&2 are black, dimm slots 2&3 are
>> blue).
>>
>> 1b) What if I get 2 more sticks later on but a different type, does one
>> pair go into the black slots and the other pair goes into the blue
>> slots?
>>
>>
>> 2) What is the default speed ram runs on the AMD AM3 cpu/boards? I'm
>> installing a Phenom II X2 550 BE with two DDR-1600 sticks for now.
>>
>>
>> 3) I currently have two Asus boards and they have an option in the BIOS
>> to boot-up from a keyboard key or mouse, does the MSI 770-C45 have any
>> option like that?
>>
>>
>> Thanks for any help you can provide!
>> Cheers,
>> Ed
>
>The MSI manual seems to suggest DDR3-1333 is the highest nominal RAM speed
>and anything higher is an overclock.
>
>http://download2.msi.com/files/downl.../M7599v1.1.zip
>
>The AMD tested memory document seems unbelievably wimpy.
>
>http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/cont...M_02_09_09.pdf
>
>You get a bit more detail from the MSI test document for your motherboard.
>They have run four sticks at DDR3-1333, but DDR3-1600 rates suggest
>a two stick limit. To reach those speeds, many modern boards need
>command rate 2T timing setting, to help reach that speed.
>
>http://www.msi.com/uploads/test_report/TR10_1812.pdf
>
>The MSI downloadable user manual is one of the poorer ones I've seen.
>They prepared the document, using a document layout tool, rather than
>a text editor. They "broke" the ability to use the text search function
>in Acrobat Reader. I cannot find "DDR3" in the manual, because "DDR"
>is separated from the number "3" in such a way as to defeat a text search.
>
>Skimming through the manual, there is no mention of which slot is on
>which channel. Going by color scheme alone, you place a pair of matched
>sticks in same-colored slots, to get dual channel.
>
>By using memtest86+ ( memtest.org ), you can compare slot configurations
>for bandwidth.
>
>I believe AMD processors have "linked" versus "unlinked" options, which
>actually take the processor out of dual channel mode. On a quad core,
>sometimes unlinked is better, because it gives two independent memory
>banks for the four cores to play with. With a nominally two core processor,
>you can play with that, and see which setting you like better. Since the
>fine user manual provided by MSI, doesn't include pictures of all the
>BIOS screens, I cannot tell you where to find that setting.
>
>So you have two ways to influence how the memory works. By setting
>the BIOS to "linked" mode, then the physical position of the memory
>sticks in the slots, may affect the benchmark-able memory bandwidth.
>You can use memtest86+ to display that information, even before you
>install an OS. With "linked" selected, which is likely not the BIOS
>default, you can try sticks in 1&2 versus 1&3. The like-colored slots
>should be dual channel, but memtest86+ will tell you that for sure.
>
>I haven't tried memtest86+ lately. I have an older copy.
>There used to be three bandwidth indicators on the screen.
>L1, L2, and DIMM speed. Now that there are more processors out
>with L1, l2, L3, and DIMMs, there really need to be four bandwidth
>indicators on the screen. The lowest bandwidth of those, should be
>the one for the DIMMs. The DIMM indicator is the one you want to
>benchmark with.
>
>Don't install the OS, until you can do a couple full test passes
>with memtest86+, error free.
>
> Paul
Yes the MSI manual and test reports for this board are very whimpy, and
there is very little info on this board around the web, but with what
you said and a couple things I did find I'll try the 2 sticks in Dimm
1&2 first and run Memtest86+, I forgot that app tells you about the ram
setup.
I've not heard of "Linked"/"Unlinked" , but there is the
Ganged(1x128bit) and UnGanged(2x64bit) options for ram.
>
>
> Yes the MSI manual and test reports for this board are very whimpy, and
> there is very little info on this board around the web, but with what
> you said and a couple things I did find I'll try the 2 sticks in Dimm
> 1&2 first and run Memtest86+, I forgot that app tells you about the ram
> setup.
>
> I've not heard of "Linked"/"Unlinked" , but there is the
> Ganged(1x128bit) and UnGanged(2x64bit) options for ram.
>
> Thanks,
> Ed
Yeah, that could be it. I suppose I could have looked it up
in another motherboard manual, to get the terminology right.
I didn't think about it at the time.
On Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:10:18 -0400, Paul <nospam@needed.com> wrote:
>Yeah, that could be it. I suppose I could have looked it up
>in another motherboard manual, to get the terminology right.
>I didn't think about it at the time.
>
> Paul
Well got it together, both sticks in first two dimm slots, everything
checks out ok!
I must say this post is the best example of someone trying to be smart
to the extent of completely failing to address the OP's question, I have
seen in a while.
First of all, cut the crap.
Second of all, to actually answer the OP's question: In MSI boards the
logic of channel coloring is reverse of what you'd see in ASUS boards.
The logic is that each channel is a different color slot, so if you want
dual channel, you have to put in the chips in different color slots. On
Asus, this is the other way around (there to use dual channel, you have
to put both chips in the same color slots) leading to a lot of confusion
and incorrectly assembled computers in computer stores. As far as I
remember though, the motherboard comes with a booklet that has pictures
of all dual channel configurations.
Third fo all, memory bandwidth and motherboards on AMD platforms have
nothing to do with eachother. The motherboard specifies the top speed as
the top speed available on the market at the time of printing the
manual, but the motherboard itself has no influence over the memory
speeds supported. The memory controller is in the CPU, and the CPU
determines what types of memory are supported.
Fourth, 2T memory timings are default and AFAIK the default settings
(aka "auto") always properly detect and utilize RAM. To answer the OP's
question on speeds: There is no default speed for a specific CPU or
godforbid a motherboard, stuff runs at the speeds of the RAM you brought.
Fifth, memtest is explicitly stated not to be a benchmarking tool. The
numbers you find in there are memtest binary load times and are highly
innacurate, although they can give you a general idea of bandwidth.
LP,
Jure
Paul pravi:
> Ed wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> This is what I am getting,
>> MSI 770-C45 motherboard,
>> 2x2GB DDR3-1600 ram,
>> Phenom II CPU,
>>
>> It's been awhile since I built a PC (almost 4 years) so I have a few
>> questions I'm hoping someone can help me with, I downloaded the mobo
>> manual but it doesn't tell you much.
>>
>> 1a) The mobo manual says...In Dual-Channel mode, make sure that you
>> install memory modules of the same type and density in different channel
>> DIMM slots.
>> So with 2-sticks do I install one stick in Dimm slot 1 and the other
>> stick in Dimm slot 3? (dimm slots 1&2 are black, dimm slots 2&3 are
>> blue).
>>
>> 1b) What if I get 2 more sticks later on but a different type, does one
>> pair go into the black slots and the other pair goes into the blue
>> slots?
>>
>> 2) What is the default speed ram runs on the AMD AM3 cpu/boards? I'm
>> installing a Phenom II X2 550 BE with two DDR-1600 sticks for now.
>>
>>
>> 3) I currently have two Asus boards and they have an option in the BIOS
>> to boot-up from a keyboard key or mouse, does the MSI 770-C45 have any
>> option like that?
>>
>>
>> Thanks for any help you can provide!
>> Cheers,
>> Ed
>
> The MSI manual seems to suggest DDR3-1333 is the highest nominal RAM speed
> and anything higher is an overclock.
>
> http://download2.msi.com/files/downl.../M7599v1.1.zip
>
> The AMD tested memory document seems unbelievably wimpy.
>
> http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/cont...M_02_09_09.pdf
>
>
> You get a bit more detail from the MSI test document for your motherboard.
> They have run four sticks at DDR3-1333, but DDR3-1600 rates suggest
> a two stick limit. To reach those speeds, many modern boards need
> command rate 2T timing setting, to help reach that speed.
>
> http://www.msi.com/uploads/test_report/TR10_1812.pdf
>
> The MSI downloadable user manual is one of the poorer ones I've seen.
> They prepared the document, using a document layout tool, rather than
> a text editor. They "broke" the ability to use the text search function
> in Acrobat Reader. I cannot find "DDR3" in the manual, because "DDR"
> is separated from the number "3" in such a way as to defeat a text search.
>
> Skimming through the manual, there is no mention of which slot is on
> which channel. Going by color scheme alone, you place a pair of matched
> sticks in same-colored slots, to get dual channel.
>
> By using memtest86+ ( memtest.org ), you can compare slot configurations
> for bandwidth.
>
> I believe AMD processors have "linked" versus "unlinked" options, which
> actually take the processor out of dual channel mode. On a quad core,
> sometimes unlinked is better, because it gives two independent memory
> banks for the four cores to play with. With a nominally two core processor,
> you can play with that, and see which setting you like better. Since the
> fine user manual provided by MSI, doesn't include pictures of all the
> BIOS screens, I cannot tell you where to find that setting.
>
> So you have two ways to influence how the memory works. By setting
> the BIOS to "linked" mode, then the physical position of the memory
> sticks in the slots, may affect the benchmark-able memory bandwidth.
> You can use memtest86+ to display that information, even before you
> install an OS. With "linked" selected, which is likely not the BIOS
> default, you can try sticks in 1&2 versus 1&3. The like-colored slots
> should be dual channel, but memtest86+ will tell you that for sure.
>
> I haven't tried memtest86+ lately. I have an older copy.
> There used to be three bandwidth indicators on the screen.
> L1, L2, and DIMM speed. Now that there are more processors out
> with L1, l2, L3, and DIMMs, there really need to be four bandwidth
> indicators on the screen. The lowest bandwidth of those, should be
> the one for the DIMMs. The DIMM indicator is the one you want to
> benchmark with.
>
> Don't install the OS, until you can do a couple full test passes
> with memtest86+, error free.
>
> Paul
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org
As already mentioned the MSI manual on the 770-C45 sucks, the only thing
it says about installing ram is to put 1 sick in Dimm slot 1, it says
nothing about installing 2, 3 or 4 sticks, size limit etc, it's probably
the worst motherboard manual I've seen in my 13 years of building PCs.
I've built PCs for friends using MSI before and the manuals were never
this lame, MSI should be ashamed!
I'm using 2 sticks of Gskill DDR3-1600 on the 770-C45 in dimm slots 1&2
(black slots) with a Phenom ii x2-550 (2 reviews I've seen also
installed the ram this way), everything in the bios is set to auto. All
testing shows the ram is running Dual CH and Unganged at DDR3-1333 and
Command Rate is @ 1T, all other timings are set as advertised by Gskill.
I've run many benchmarks and torture tests over the past week and its
been 100% stable. Although the 770-C45 is a budget board it lacks one
thing I really thought it would have and that is being able to cold-boot
from the keyboard or mouse, even my 6 year old Asus board has that
feature! Plus the board only has 2 fan headers besides the CPU, it
should have at least 3 IMO.
btw, I only use memtesx86t as a quick ram test just to see if there is
a bad stick of ram, its's useless for any stability testing.
Cheers,
Ed
On Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:29:25 +0200, Jure Sah <dustwolfy@gmail.com>
wrote:
>-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>Hash: SHA1
>
>I must say this post is the best example of someone trying to be smart
>to the extent of completely failing to address the OP's question, I have
>seen in a while.
>
>First of all, cut the crap.
>
>Second of all, to actually answer the OP's question: In MSI boards the
>logic of channel coloring is reverse of what you'd see in ASUS boards.
>The logic is that each channel is a different color slot, so if you want
>dual channel, you have to put in the chips in different color slots. On
>Asus, this is the other way around (there to use dual channel, you have
>to put both chips in the same color slots) leading to a lot of confusion
>and incorrectly assembled computers in computer stores. As far as I
>remember though, the motherboard comes with a booklet that has pictures
>of all dual channel configurations.
>
>Third fo all, memory bandwidth and motherboards on AMD platforms have
>nothing to do with eachother. The motherboard specifies the top speed as
>the top speed available on the market at the time of printing the
>manual, but the motherboard itself has no influence over the memory
>speeds supported. The memory controller is in the CPU, and the CPU
>determines what types of memory are supported.
>
>Fourth, 2T memory timings are default and AFAIK the default settings
>(aka "auto") always properly detect and utilize RAM. To answer the OP's
>question on speeds: There is no default speed for a specific CPU or
>godforbid a motherboard, stuff runs at the speeds of the RAM you brought.
>
>Fifth, memtest is explicitly stated not to be a benchmarking tool. The
>numbers you find in there are memtest binary load times and are highly
>innacurate, although they can give you a general idea of bandwidth.
>
>LP,
>Jure
MSI 770-C45 
Linear Mode
