DDR3 question

Morrile · 26 Feb 2011 at 10:06

Hello,

I am in urgent need of knowledge to a question which is really bugging me and I can't seem to find the answer anywhere :confused:

DDR3 comes in twin and triple packs - depending on the motherboard, however my question is: preciely what is the difference between twin and triple packs :confused:

I can't see anything when physically compairing them.

Why can't I use 3 twin packs rather than 2 triple packs :confused:

Many thanks in advance,

Morrile

Ginger-Menace · 26 Feb 2011 at 10:17

its to do with how the lanes match up

Avathar77 · 26 Feb 2011 at 10:19

if you are comparing the same brand and rating, twin packs have 2 triple packs have 3

jus kidding! some times you can get better deals on triple packs
2 x triple can be cheaper that 3 x twin

Sayso · 26 Feb 2011 at 11:30

it just means they are a matched set either dual or triple, the main difference is in how the mobo/cpu combo uses the RAM.

As for "its to do with how the lanes match up" what are you going on about?

Blue160 · 26 Feb 2011 at 12:15

If you want six identical sticks it doesn't matter whether you buy two triples or three double packs.

Fourstar · 26 Feb 2011 at 12:26

Sayso said:
the main difference is in how the mobo/cpu combo uses the RAM.

What are you going on about?

6 sticks of ram are 6 sticks of ram how can they be used differently?

With the packs as Sayso says they are "matched" sets. This just means they should share similar electrical characteristics to ensure the best possible compatibility and performance.

In practical terms it doesn't mean a lot, all packs of the same product bought at the same time will share similar electrical characteristics. Populating all 6 slots means mixing packs anyway.

Buying 2x3 or 3x2 of the product won't make any difference to performance or compatibility

Morrile · 26 Feb 2011 at 17:16

Hmmm slightly different views, but agree the 2x3 or 3x2 is much the same; as I thought. I know there are offers on tripe packs but as I have 6 pieces of identical Ram, I see no reason why I cannot use them, even if they did arrive in twin packs.

So thanks chaps

andy_mk3 · 26 Feb 2011 at 17:33

Triple packs are used for triple channel mobo/cpu's

DennisMenace · 2 Mar 2011 at 17:48

Morrile said:
I know there are offers on tripe packs

1) DO NOT use any kind of offal in place of memory sticks. It's just a false economy.

2) Ideally, don't buy any computer components from a butcher.

:rolleyes:

Blue160 · 3 Mar 2011 at 08:28

andy_mk3 said:
Triple packs are used for triple channel mobo/cpu's

Yes they are, but the point here is if you want six identical sticks for a triple channel system, you can get two triple or three double packs and it will make no difference.

PhillyDee · 3 Mar 2011 at 08:31

Blue160 said:
Yes they are, but the point here is if you want six identical sticks for a triple channel system, you can get two triple or three double packs and it will make no difference.

Dual channel packs have been tested together and serialised accordingly, usually consecutive assemblies on the line.
Tri channel the same.
They are guaranteed to work flawlessly together.

Using dual channel sets in a 6 slot board may or may not work correctly. It probably will, but it is not guaranteed.

Using 2 lots of tri channel ram is fine, because it runs in 2x3channel, there isn't a hex channel, so them matching perfectly makes no difference.

jakejacob0 · 3 Mar 2011 at 08:33

make sure your boards supports tripple channel before ordering