SyncMAX Technical Notification

March 16, 2001

Subject
SyncMAX 256 MB modules built with 32Mx4 SDRAM chips.
Reference Module Part Numbers: S256M16034 and S256M16044 There are three primary reasons for incompatibility between motherboards and 256MB memory modules made with 32Mx4 chips: 1. Chipset doesnt support 32Mx4 SDRAM: Chipsets direct information between the processor (CPU) and the memory as well as peripherals. Only certain (newer design) chipsets such as the Via Apollo Pro 133A or KX-133 support 32Mx4 SDRAM chips. The popular Intel BX, LX and ZX chipsets do not support 32Mx4 chips. 2. Some motherboards with excessive noise or old BIOS settings not work well with do 32Mx4 SDRAM chips, even with Apollo Pro 133A chipsets. 3. High Regulated Voltage : Certain motherboards, like ASUS, regulate voltage to 3.5 v. or above, which is far greater than the 3.3 v. industry standard. This can cause instability with memory modules or peripherals. This issue seems geographic dependent as it is observed more in Europe, somewhat in the United States, but less in Canada. If these motherboards are used, we recommend extensive testing with each module/motherboard. SyncMAX memory is tested at the component (chip) and module levels to assure proper operation. Speed tests are also done at both levels. We check all modules on AOPEN AX64 Pro, AOPEN AK72 or ABIT VH6 motherboards before shipping as a final check. SyncMAX memory is guaranteed to function in PC 100 applications. PC 133 modules should in general be operated with the BIOS setting for CAS Latency at 3.
Why are these modules incompatible with some motherboards?

Our Testing

PC 133

Best Choice Motherboard

Winstone Business 99 performance greater than 30 was observed with the following motherboards. Additionally, they were very stable during graphics and stress test operations.
(click here for complete list and BIOS #)

Manufacturer

Abit Abit AOpen AOpen AOpen

Model #

VH6 VT6X4 A X34 Pro AX64 Pro/R.1.04 AK72/R.1.05

30.4 30.4 30.0 30.2 32.1

Compatible motherboards
A table of the motherboards that have passed tests specifically run for you to assess compatibility with these 256MB modules is updated on this Web site (click here). Warning: Please check your specific motherboards before ordering in quantity.
Remember that our tests were only on motherboards we received. Manufacturing or design variances by motherboard manufacturers (i.e. BIOS, noise, voltage) are not taken into account in our testing.
Document Name: TN031601_256_32Mx4_compatible.pdf
Motherboard Testing for 256MB Modules (w/32Mx4 SDRAM)
Last Update 03/16/2001 Motherboard Brand Model/Rev. # Abit Abit Abit Aopen Aopen Aopen ASUS ASUS ASUS BCM Chaintech Chaintech DFI Epox EPOX FIC FIC Gigabyte Gigabyte MSI
VH6 VT6X4 KT7-RAID AX34 Pro AX64 Pro/R.1.04 AK72/R.1.05 A7V A7V133 P3V4X/1005 QS750 CT-6ATA4 CT-7ATA CA64-SC EP-3VCA2 EP-8KTA REV 1.1

Chipset

Via Apollo Pro 133A Via Apollo Pro 133A Via Apollo KT 133 Via Apollo Pro 133A Via Apollo Pro 133A Via Apollo KX 133 Via Apollo KT 133 Via Apollo KT 133A Via Apollo Pro 133A AMD750 Via Apollo Pro 133A Via Apollo KX133 Via Apollo Pro 133A Via Apollo Pro 133A VIA APOLLO KT-133 VIA APOLLO KT-133

BIOS #

06/09/2000-694X-686A-6A6LJA1DC-SJ
Pent III 600B S370 Pent III 600B Slot 1 AMD DURON 700 Socket A Pent III 733B S370 Pent III 600B Slot 1
TEST STATUS (Pass or Fail) Graphics Winst Test 3D RST RST RST one Winbench 1pc 2pc 3pcs 99 Ziff-Davis P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P F P F P P P P P P P F P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P
Winstone 99 Business Score (higher # is better)

Comments

30.4 30.4 30.4 30.5 30.2 32.1 33.1 33.1 28.8 24.7 30.4 31.4 21.8 32.1 30.8 29.7 28.8 27.1 27.7 26.5 Does not support 3pcs Does not support 3pcs Does not support 3pcs
Please refer to Abit Web site for latest BIOS.
03/02/2000-694X-686A-6A6LJA19C-QW
02/12/2000-8363-686A-6A6LMA19C-WT 07/10/2000-694X-686A-2A6LJAB9C-00 04/07/2000-694X-686A-2A6LJAB9C-00
05/25/2000-8371-686A-6A6LKAB9C-00
Athlon 700 Slot A AMD DURON 700 Socket A AMD DURON 700 Socket A Pent III 600B Slot 1 Athlon 600 Slot A Pent III 600B Slot 1 Athlon 600 Slot A Pent III 733B Slot 1 Pent III 733B 370 AMD T.B. 700 SOCKET A AMD T.B. 700 SOCKET A

VIA-KT-133-A7V

VIA-KT-133A-A7V VT694X-P3V4X-00 12/07/99-AMD-75X-W977-6A6S200BC-00 02/25/2000-694X-686A-TA6JC4DC-00 8371-686A-7A6LKC0CC-00 694X-686A-6A6LJD4DC-00 06/09/2000-694X-686A-6A6LJPAAC-00
08/14/2000-8363-686A-6A6LMPA9C-00 06/26/2000-VT8363-VT686A6A6LMF09C-00
62-0720-000000-00101111-071595-A751V6861EVT300-F 62-1001-001199-00101111-071595-V694V6861AACU001-F 62-1005-001199-00101111-071595-IRONGATE1AAEECU003-H 62-0627-000000-00101111-071595-V694V6861V133001-F
AZ11 SD11 6VX7-4X GA-7IXE MS6309
AMD 750 Via Apollo Pro 133A AMD 750 Via Apollo Pro 133A
Athlon 600 Slot A Pent III 733B 370 Athlon 600 Slot A Pent III 733B 370
Motherboard Brand Model/Rev. # MSI PC Partner Sceptre Shuttle Shuttle Tyan
MS6167 APAAS13-C950 SC394XA AI61
AMD 750 Via Apollo Pro 133A Via Apollo Pro 133A AMD 750 Via Apollo Pro 133A Via Apollo Pro 133A
X12/29/1999-AMD-75X-W977-6A6S2M49C-00 12/07/99-694X-686A-6A6LJV39C-00 07/10/2000-694X-686A-6A6LKFBC-00 03/27/2000-AMD-75X-W977-6A6S2H29C-00
Athlon 600 Slot A Pent III 600B Slot 1 & 370 Celeron 500 Socket 370 Athlon 600 Slot A Pent III 600B Slot 1 Pent III 733B 370

RST 1pc

RST 2pc

RST 3pcs

Graphics Winst Test 3D one Winbench 99 Ziff-Davis P P P P P P P P P P P P

Does not support 3pcs

P P P P P P

F P P P P P

34.9 30.8 23.8 27.8 26.2 30.8
AV64 S1854 Trinity 400/R1.07
03/01/2000-694X-596B-977-6A6LJH29C-00 04/17/2000-694X-596B-977-TYAN1854C-00