Can I mix brands, types, and speeds of memory?

-When you mix memory types, brands or speeds on any high performance board, timing problems may significantly affect the stability, reliability and performance of the entire system. This is why we recommend using a single type of brand, speed, and type. Adding different banks of memory of different sizes is fine. It is recommended that all Tyan products be equipped with a minimum speed rating of 60ns on all memory.

What is SPD?

-SPD (Serial Presence Detect) is a new feature available on a number of SDRAM DIMM modules that solves industry-wide compatibility problems by making it easier for the BIOS to properly configure the system to fit SDRAM performance profiles.

The SPD device is an 8-pin serial EEPROM chip that stores information about the DIMM module's size, speed, voltage, drive strength, and number of row and column addresses. When the BIOS reads these parameters during POST, it automatically adjusts values in the CMOS Chipset Features screen for maximum reliability and performance.

Without SPD, the BIOS (or user) must make assumptions about the DIMM's parameters. While this does not usually cause problems when EDO DIMMs are used, many users have found that their system will not boot if they are using non-SPD SDRAM DIMMs. As SDRAM is capable of running at twice the speed of EDO RAM, there is less room for error. An incorrect BIOS assumption about an SDRAM DIMM's parameters can have dramatic consequences (e.g. failure to boot or fatal exception errors).

What voltage is my memory?

-Consult your memory vendor or manufacturer for more information. In general, most memory is rated at 5 volts unless otherwise specified. If you are in doubt, try running your memory at 3v. Most 5v memory will run at a lower voltage without a problem.

If my board uses DIMMs, what kind should I get?

-All our motherboards require Unbuffered DIMM modules. Unbuffered and Buffered DIMMs are different form factors following two different standards. Only Unbuffered memory will corretly seat into the sockets provided.