I've just installed some new RAM in preparation for upgrading my CPU next month. My "old" set-up was as follows:

Gigabyte: GA-P35-DS3R rev2.0 motherboard
Intel E2160 (1.8GHz & 800MHz FSB) dual core CPU
Corsair XMS2 PC 6400 DDR2 800 RAM (2 x 1GB)
XFX GeForce 7300GS ver2.2 videocard (I'm not a gamer)

The CPU has been overclocked to 3.06GHz, and the System Memory Multiplier is set to 2.5, thereby forcing the RAM frequency to run @ 850MHz. The auto setting would not boot because the RAM frequency would try to match the FSB speed otherwise, which is now 1360MHz with the overclock. The computer has been running this way for over 2 months with no stability problems. CPU-Z, Look In My PC, and Belarc all recognized/reported the "old" RAM correctly as 1024MB in slots A0 & A2, for a total of 2048MB.

New RAM:
Corsair XMS2 PC 8500 DDR2 1066 (2 x 1GB)

The system wouldn't boot with System Memory Multiplier set to auto, so I set it to 3.2 (???) so the RAM frequency runs @ 1088MHz, and it booted with no problem.

Here's the rub. Belarc and Look In My PC now report only 512MB RAM in each slot, but Belarc reports a Total installed as: 2048MB, and Look In My PC reports the Total installed as: 1024MB with 1610MB free. CPU-Z is a little different. Under the 'SPD' tab it recognizes the new RAM as PC 6400 (400MHz) and the Timings table shows 533MHz. 'Memory' tab reports 2048MB installed. 'CPU' tab shows Core speed: 3060MHz, Bus speed: 340MHz, and Rated FSB: 1360MHz.

Why isn't the new memory showing up correctly in some areas of the various analyzing/reporting programs?? The numbers just don't add up even within some programs. For what it's worth, I plan to upgrade to an Intel e6750 CPU next month.

Well when you get your new processor, you should be able to set it to normal timings. with a FSB of 1333, you should set the FSB/memory divider to 3.20 (im familiar with the settings as i have that motherboard =D ) This will run the FSB at 1333 and the memory at 1066. Then set the memory timings (by hitting Ctrl+F1), and set them to 5-5-5-15, and leave the rest on AUTO. you should be set for then.

Now, I am not sure what the problem is with your current setup. do the same thing, set your memory divider to 3.20, and set the timings to the same thing, and you should have no problems, performance wise. As long as your system reports 2 gB inSystem information, you should be ok.

I failed to mention the computer is running perfectly and the timings (using auto mode in BIOS) are 5-5-5-18. Windows reports 2GB of memory and the divider is set to 3.2. I added "or so" to my original post because I wasn't positive that's where it is set, but I did remember the RAM frequency because the computer has major boot problems (as in WON'T) when the RAM is set above 1100MHz.

My only real problem is just why the RAM values were being reported all *&^%$#@! up. I'm a hair splitter and the wrong numbers are bugging me.

This question is posted on a couple of different forums and the ONLY other response suggested a chipset limitation, but I blew that off due to the person being unfamiliar with this motherboard.

Thanks for the input..................

Is that particular memory in the Motherboards 1066 supported list?

I emailed Gigabyte and told them what I had and how I was running my set-up. I also told them about plans to install Corsair 1066 RAM before upgrading to an Intel e6750 processor. Gigabyte said I would have no problems because everything was compatible, and supported by the board.

If memory serves me, the particular RAM I've installed isn't "on the list", which is why I emailed the manufacturer. I've found that sometimes updates to these lists are slow in coming, so I got it straight from the horses mouth.

sounds like they might have corrupted SPD chips. that happens occasionally. I understand your feelings, i am the same way, but there really isnt a way to fix this, to my knowledge. i would recommend a BIOS update, but thats really all i can do.