Asus P5G41T-M LX2 User Manual - Page 13

1.4 System memory 1.4.1 Overview This motherboard comes with two Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. A DDR3 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR2 DIMM but is notched differently to prevent installation on a DDR2 DIMM socket. DDR3 modules are developed for better performance with less power consumption. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR3 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 Channel Channel A Channel B Sockets DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 P5G41T-M LX2/GB/LPT P5G41T-M LX2/GB/LPT 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets 1.4.2 Memory configurations You may install 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB unbuffered non‑ECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. • You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel configuration. Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel operation. • Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum compatibility, it is recommended that you obtain memory modules from the same vendor. • Due to the memory address limitation on 32-bit Windows® OS, when you install 4GB or more memory on the motherboard, the actual usable memory for the OS can be about 3GB or less. For effective use of memory, we recommend that you do either of the following: - Use a maximum of 3GB system memory if you are using a 32-bit Windows® OS. - Install a 64-bit Windows® OS when you want to install 4GB or more memory on the motherboard. • This motherboard does not support DIMMs made up of 256 megabits (Mb) chips or less. Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-4