dual channel + extra stick?

Terrier_Jimlad · 29 Jul 2008 at 10:27

Hi guys,

I have a 2GB 800mhz dual channel kit in my machine, and I was just wondering if I purchase another 1GB stick to boost me to 3Gb, will I notice a difference, or will it hinder the dual channel kit at all?

Thanks in advance ...

RichDuffy · 29 Jul 2008 at 11:24

AFAIK if you don't match all your RAM in pairs, you'll only get single channel usage out of it.

Snapshot · 29 Jul 2008 at 12:26

Depending on the mobo chipset you'll probably do better buying 2 x 512MB. The current Intel chipsets go into 'flex mode' but stay dual channel. OTOH just go for another 2 x 1GB as it's so cheap at the moment. You might get as much as another 1.5GB out of it so not much wasted.

PhoenixUK · 30 Jul 2008 at 00:54

Get 2gb, why getting 1 if 2 is almost same price

. Also it's better to run it in dual than single channel.

Terrier_Jimlad · 30 Jul 2008 at 20:23

so if i get another 2gb (2 x 1gb) dual channel kit, and have 4 x 1gb in the box, it'll still run in dual channel or not?

Neal · 30 Jul 2008 at 21:31

Mate I asked this a while back and went with the 3 x 1gb sticks as I couldnt get a definative answer.

With 3 sticks in "non" dual mode it lost something like 0.1 n/s in most tests.

It is not noticable in the slightest using the 3 x 1gb sticks... however they need to be 3 identical chipsets and latency settings to get max performance - a lot of mobo's are fussy about mixing.

Ch3m1c4L · 31 Jul 2008 at 16:03

Neal said:
Mate I asked this a while back and went with the 3 x 1gb sticks as I couldnt get a definative answer.

With 3 sticks in "non" dual mode it lost something like 0.1 n/s in most tests.

It is not noticable in the slightest using the 3 x 1gb sticks... however they need to be 3 identical chipsets and latency settings to get max performance - a lot of mobo's are fussy about mixing.

dual channel mode gives 5-10% performance boost over single channel. It is not only latency that it affects as its memory bandwidth mainly.

Terrier_Jimlad · 31 Jul 2008 at 23:06

So i guess my final question is ... Does 4gb (4 x 1gb) in 2 dual kits, still run in like two sets of dual channel, or do they all downgrade to 4 single channels once you put more than 2 in?

ta

Amnesia · 1 Aug 2008 at 00:27

why dont u run your 2 sticks in single channel mode...play a few games that u normally play and check out the fps.
then get your 2 sticks and put them in dual channel mode and again ..play the same games and see exactly how much performance increase there is.

if your not on a 64bit OS there is really little point in ordering an extra 2gb when you already have 3gb.

from my experience...memory just doesnt make that much difference but i get a lot of ppl calling bs on what i claim so its best to test it yourself since u have all whats needed there infront of u.