Asus Z97-P User Guide - Page 18

1.4 System memory 1.4.1 Overview This motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) sockets. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR3 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_A2 DIMM_B1 DIMM_B2 Channel Sockets Channel A DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2 Z97-P Channel B DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2 Z97-P 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets 1.4.2 Memory configurations You may install 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB 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. • According to Intel CPU spec, DIMM voltage below 1.65V is recommended to protect the CPU. • Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimal compatibility, we recommend that you install memory modules of the same version or date code (D/C) from the same vendor. Check with the retailer to get the correct memory modules. • 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 any 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 if you want to install 4GB or more on the motherboard. - For more details, refer to the Microsoft® support site at http://support.microsoft. com/kb/929605/en-us. • This motherboard does not support DIMMs made up of 512 megabits (Mb) chips or less. • The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its Serial Presence Detect (SPD), which is the standard way of accessing information from a memory module. Under the default state, some memory modules for overclocking may operate at a lower frequency than the vendor-marked value. To operate at the vendor-marked or at a higher frequency, refer to section 2.5 Ai Tweaker menu for manual memory frequency adjustment. • For system stability, use a more efficient memory cooling system to support a full memory load (4 DIMMs) or overclocking condition. • Visit the ASUS website at: www.asus.com for the latest QVL. 1-8 Chapter 1: Product introduction