Dual channel motherboard on triple channel processor?

winstonator

winstonator

winstonator

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Im looking at memory for my gigabyte sniper v1 motherboard. I have the i7980 (not x) processor.

But before that.....raises my question.....how does triple channel processors work with dual channel motherboards?

Mucho advice much appreciated.
 
I assume this is the one with 6 RAM slots:



You could fill them as follows:

1 stick, single channel
2 sticks, dual channel
3 sticks, triple channel
4 sticks, dual channel
5 sticks, I don't really know what it would do
6 sticks, triple channel
 
That's the one.

So even though I bought a triple channel CPU it will still be compatible with dual channel motherboard? Will this incur any compromises with performance and should I have bought a triple channel motherboard instead?

I was looking at crucial 12gb (4gb x 3) of ddr3 1333...would this work well with my i7980 and sniper?

Thanks for your input!
 
winstonator said:
That's the one.

So even though I bought a triple channel CPU it will still be compatible with dual channel motherboard? Will this incur any compromises with performance and should I have bought a triple channel motherboard instead?

I was looking at crucial 12gb (4gb x 3) of ddr3 1333...would this work well with my i7980 and sniper?

Thanks for your input!
Click to expand...

I would have thought that would work, but isn't this board triple channel?
 
I could be playing the dumb card here...but the board specified 3/dual channel memory architecture. I assumed this was 3 slots of dual channel memory? Not triple channel memory?

As you might have guessed this is my first build. Ive only upgraded before so was stuck with what I had. This for me is quite new....
 
Simply put you can use RAM in single, dual or triple channel configurations but you'll get the best performance using a triple channel configuration.

I was looking at crucial 12gb (4gb x 3) of ddr3 1333...would this work well with my i7980 and sniper?
Click to expand...

That would work fine but you may find 1600MHz RAM for a similar price.
 
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Absolutelybloodyfantastic thanks for clarifying that...it's been driving me mental trying to work it out!

And your right....for £5more I can get 1600mhz!

I did post a q on the memory forum regarding my i7980...intel specify using ddr3 1066. Any idea why intel specify this and does this mean using anything above 1066 would be troublesome?
 
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winstonator said:
Absolutelybloodyfantastic thanks for clarifying that...it's been driving me mental trying to work it out!
Click to expand...

You're welcome.

When installing the RAM you put the sticks in the same coloured slots on the motherboard for triple channel operation.

If you have a budget for the RAM then we can see what's available at OcUK.

Without mentioning competitors how much is the RAM you've been looking at?
 
Budget....I was thinking about £50 for a 12gb set or so. But I hate compromising quality for budget...so something good for a little extra I will consider!

I was originally considering 16mb but now I think 12mb and if that's not enough to handle what I'm after then I could upgrade to 16 or 24? Oh and cost for 12mb is £51 or £56 odd...
 
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winstonator said:
I did post a q on the memory forum regarding my i7980...intel specify using ddr3 1066. Any idea why intel specify this and does this mean using anything above 1066 would be troublesome?
Click to expand...

That's the figure Intel set as supported by the memory controller.

But, for example, the figure for Sandy Bridge CPU's is 1333MHz and people use 1600MHz, 1866MHz and higher quite happily.
 
winstonator said:
Budget....I was thinking about £50 for a 12gb set or so. But I hate compromising quality for budget...so something good for a little extra I will consider!

I was originally considering 16GB but now I think 12GB and if that's not enough to handle what I'm after then I could upgrade to 16 or 24? Oh and cost for 12GB is £51 or £56 odd...
Click to expand...

Just to be clear, is the RAM you've seen about £51 or £56 including VAT because there's nothing that cheap I could recommend at OcUK?

If you fit 3x4GB then to preserve triple channel operation you'd have to add another 3x4GB if you wanted to upgrade.

FYI you need a 64 bit operating system for more than 4GB and you need the Professional or above version of Windows 7 to use more than 16GB.
 
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Well tbh ive been blinded by this "intel recommending 1066" issue so much so that Ive only gone so far as looking at the "vendors recommended" list for my motherboard and not ventured out to decide for myself.

I shall check it out now that I know what I can do with what I have!

This is very much appreciated!

Oh and it's including vat that I've seen.
 
winstonator said:
Well tbh ive been blinded by this "intel recommending 1066" issue so much so that Ive only gone so far as looking at the "vendors recommended" list for my motherboard and not ventured out to decide for myself.

I shall check it out now that I know what I can do with what I have!

This is very much appreciated!
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No problem, happy hunting.

For information the cheapest triple channel 12GB kit at OcUK is currently £59.99:

Crucial Ballistix Sport 12GB (3x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C10 1600MHz Triple Channel Kit
 
Looking at components for my new kit, I've found prices vary quite considerably. Ocuk have a component that is £100 cheaper than another retailer. But then another component on ocuk is £60 kore expensive.... So I tend to shop around!
 
winstonator said:
Looking at components for my new kit, I've found prices vary quite considerably. Ocuk have a component that is £100 cheaper than another retailer. But then another component on ocuk is £60 kore expensive.... So I tend to shop around!
Click to expand...

I don't blame you.

Just don't discuss competitors prices on the OcUK forum.


winstonator said:
Hey not bad thanks so much for that link....has really helped with my comparison. Must admit the crucial does appeal! Cheers!
Click to expand...

You're welcome.
 
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