Talk:Intel 440BX

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I am well aware that bits are not the same as bytes. My earlier comments (re "Limitations") arose from the need to determine the maximum memory and size of DIMM module for a BX motherboard, and I assumed that this is what the author was referring to. Modules made from 256 Mbit SDRAM chips were not an option which I was considering. It's hardly surprising that the 440BX chipset did not support such chips which do not appear to have been commonly available (if at all) when it was designed. It could be made clearer in the article that what is being referred to is the individual RAM chips. I hope that my previous submission is of practical value to some. Merrison (talk) 00:00, 30 December 2015 (UTC)[reply]

--- 256Mbit is not same as 256Mbyte. 440BX doesn't support DIMMs built using 256Mbit RAM chips regardless how many megabytes that particular DIMM is. --- — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2001:14BA:8F1:6100:A014:6124:49BA:4CA5 (talk) 22:07, 23 December 2015 (UTC) 18:53, 19 November 2015 (UTC)Merrison (talk)87.81.199.92 (talk) 18:47, 19 November 2015 (UTC) 256MB SDRAM. Under Limitations, "This chipset lacked support for 256Mbit SDRAM" Whilst I am not totally disputing this, some amplification would be useful. (ok, the author is referring to 256Mbit RAM chips, not DIMM modules - Merrison (talk) 10:43, 30 December 2015 (UTC)). My motherboard (MS-6119 with 82443BX AGP chipset) supports 768MB maximum RAM (registered). I have installed a 256MB (unregistered, unbuffered) module in one of the three slots. The system is running Debian Linux and appears stable. Boots OK and recognizes all the memory. This is the output from dmidecode:[reply]

Handle 0x0006, DMI type 6, 12 bytes Memory Module Information

       Socket Designation: A0
       Bank Connections: 0 1
       Current Speed: 7 ns
       Type: DIMM SDRAM
       Installed Size: 128 MB (Single-bank Connection)
       Enabled Size: 128 MB (Single-bank Connection)
       Error Status: OK

Handle 0x0007, DMI type 6, 12 bytes Memory Module Information

       Socket Designation: A1
       Bank Connections: 2 3
       Current Speed: 5 ns
       Type: DIMM SDRAM
       Installed Size: 32 MB (Single-bank Connection)
       Enabled Size: 32 MB (Single-bank Connection)
       Error Status: OK

Handle 0x0008, DMI type 6, 12 bytes Memory Module Information

       Socket Designation: A2
       Bank Connections: 4 5
       Current Speed: 8 ns
       Type: DIMM SDRAM
       Installed Size: 256 MB (Single-bank Connection)
       Enabled Size: 256 MB (Single-bank Connection)
       Error Status: OK

The motherboard manual states a maximum of 768MB registered RAM (ie 3x256MB maximum) or 384MB unregistered RAM. In reference 1, the Intel spec states 1GB maximum memory size. Registered RAM places less electrical load on the memory controller according to the relevant Wikipedia page. I appear to have got away with it, and if its purely down to electrical load then 416MB should not present any problems vs 384MB (ie 3x128MB). A 256MB module appears to be clearly possible in terms of physical addressing alone. I propose: "256MB memory modules may be recognized, but electrical load considerations may limit the maximum possible installed memory. Registered (ECC) memory modules are a solution, up to a maximum of 1GB (but not comprising 256 Mbit chips - Merrison (talk) 10:43, 30 December 2015 (UTC))." See reference 1 and external links to Intel datasheets. Regards. Merrison (talk) 17:51, 23 November 2015 (UTC)[reply]