Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R

[thequiff]

Hello there everyone, new to the forum! Hope you can help!
 

Wondered if anyone could answer a few question for me and before I start, I'm not that knowledgeable about the workings of Computer, know the basics that's all!

Anyway seen a few people have success with installing 8GB (2x4GB) of DDR3 RAM in this motherboard and the EP35 board which is apparently identical but an energy saving board.
I'm wanting to do this to this board if possible, seeing as these have done it below should I be cautious myself in doing so or should it be fine?
Got the Intel Core 2 Quad Q660 @ 2.40v which I'm looking into overclocking have fitted a new Cooler.

Here are some links to some success stories:
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/285697-12-ep35-ds3r-accidentally-ordered-ddr3
http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php?topic=4964.0
http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php?topic=3983.0

I'm also wondering about the dual memory architecture too if I can get 8GB successfully installed on the DDR3 Ram slots would it be feesible to also have the machine recognise the DDR2 Memory installed as part of it's dual memory architecture.
Is it possible to recognise more than 8GB?

[oggmonster]

Well as other people have got it to work then you shouldn't have any problems.. however its not guarenteed and personally I would play it safe with ddr2.
I managed to get 3.2ghz prime95 stable on an P35 board with the q6600. But that was with 4gb (2x2gb) 800mhz ddr2.

From what I remember of P35 you need to throw voltage like a mad man at the northbridge to get good overclocks so watch temps!

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

If I understand you right you want to try and run DDR2 and DDR3 on the same board. This won't work as far as I am aware as they are totally different designs.

As for the 8 GB limit you might be lucky getting it to see more because sometimes the limits are based on what is available at the time. That is a chance you would have to take. Sometimes it pays off but not always. Unless you are doing a lot of video/photo/audio rendering etc there is not really much point in having more than 8 GB anyway.

[thequiff]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

If I understand you right you want to try and run DDR2 and DDR3 on the same board. This won't work as far as I am aware as they are totally different designs.

As for the 8 GB limit you might be lucky getting it to see more because sometimes the limits are based on what is available at the time. That is a chance you would have to take. Sometimes it pays off but not always. Unless you are doing a lot of video/photo/audio rendering etc there is not really much point in having more than 8 GB anyway.

Yeah do 3d work and Video work so could do with max possible. Really could do with getting new processor, motherboard and then ram but can't really afford it at present.

So for now possibly going to overclock proccessor, get some more RAM and also new Graphics Card.

Would like to risk it for the 8GB DDR3 as could then potentially take it to a new machine at a later date.
It's also more cost effective it seems

Also if can't run DDR2 and DDR3 on same board what does the dual memory architecture mean?
Or is it just that it can do both but not at same time?

[Dark Mantis]

Yes "Dual Memory Architecture" just means that it will work with either and you can choose which to use. It will not however work with both at the same time.

[thequiff]

Thanks for your help anyway!!!!

Looked after commented and figured out that's what it meant actually!

Really want to do the DDR3 with 8GB because it will mean easier transfer into newer machines at a later date.

Obviously if it doesn't work right could well have wasted money.
Otherwise it's a case of getting 3x2GB DDR2 cards which could cost more than buying two DD3 4GB!
But they will work, but then they are an older generation of RAM for new future machines! 

[Dark Mantis]

I think I would go for the DDR3 sticks. At the moment they are just coming to the sweet point at 4 GB and so financially make the most sense. Dont forget you will need to upgrade to a 64 bit Operating System though to make use of any more than about 3.5 GB.

[thequiff]

Thanks mate, yeah I've got a 64BIT OS already just installed.

Now recognises the 4GB instead of the 3.5GB it did before but this is hardly a jump for 3d apps.
Also think I've worked out new Graphics Card going to invest in too.

I'm going to send them an email, see what they think seeing as others have done so too, be good if could get better confirmation from them.

[Dark Mantis]

It would be nice if someone could categorically say that it will work but I suspect that no one will want to put their neck on the block!

[thequiff]

Sure would be nice if they did, reckon it will be we can't confirm but yes other have managed to do so successfully.
Seeing as one Gigabyte representative sent over a confirmation they got it working would be good if they could confirm!

Probably be yes it might work but,
"You do so at your own risk."

Would imagine worst comes to worst it shows 4GB of memory but if that is the case I'm no better off.
If I can procure 2x4GB DDR3 cards which can be returned within so many days then it could be fine either way!
 

[Dark Mantis]

Yes that would be ideal, maybe if you have a friendly local store but then you will be paying extra for the memory I expect. I have known people use more than the maximum amount of RAM in motherboards several times but that doesn't mean it will work every time.

[thequiff]

Got a reply from Gigabyte with two attached images showing 8GB of RAM showing up.

They say that this Motherboard will take 2x4GB of RAM. 

[Dark Mantis]

That should be fairly safe then. They must be sure of their standpoint or they wouldn't have agreed.

[KJILM123]

TO everyone,

I don't know why some people want to have 12, 24 Gb in their computer for, unless you are doing video editing, having a Server or CADCAM, etc. etc. Is there any use to stuff your computer full with RAM otherwise ?

I mean with 6 GB you perfectly can play all the games that are on the market and do emails, internet, writing letters, etc etc without any problem. So I don't know why some people who basically do the above things mentioned need all those slots full for ?

I mean I can put 100+ programs in Windows 7 64bit with the help of a swap file in Windows and put them on the desktop and scroll through them with 4-6 Gig of RAM. There is absolute no need to need anymore RAM memory for those things that I said. If you want to overload your computer with things that are not really necessary you are asking for trouble is it not ?

Just to put my 2 cents worth of thought,

KJ

[Dark Mantis]

So I don't know why some people who basically do the above things mentioned need all those slots full for ?

You missed the point. The most important thing for many people is the bragging rights!