dual channel?

[Jono8]

hi
I have two 512mb dimms of pc3200 running in ddr. I want to get another gigabyte but still run in dual channle, should i get a 2x512mb kit or a single 1gb dimm?

 

[Jaffa_Cake]

Ignore

 

[james.miller]

nope.

in the context of memory dual = two memory controllers. it's perfectly possibly to run dual channel with 3 sticks. 512mb on one controller, 2x256mb on the other. or 1gb/2x512mb

It is also perfectly fine to run 4 sticks of the same size in dual channel, 2 sticks on each.

 

[Jono8]

nope.

in the context of memory dual = two memory controllers. it's perfectly possibly to run dual channel with 3 sticks. 512mb on one controller, 2x256mb on the other. or 1gb/2x512mb

It is also perfectly fine to run 4 sticks of the same size in dual channel, 2 sticks on each.

ok so 4x512mb sticks will definately run in dual channel mode then? or do i have to change something in the bios?

 

[GibGaming]

ok so 4x512mb sticks will definately run in dual channel mode then? or do i have to change something in the bios?

Its called Interleaved when 4 sticks are used.

when 2 sticks are in the correct slots then its Dual Channel

 

[james.miller]

'interleaved' has nothing in common with 'dual channel'! 'interleaved' concerns keeping more than one page of ram open at a time in an over-simplified sort of way.
http://www.georgebreese.com/net/software/readmes/venabler_v015_readme.htm
http://www.realworldtech.com/page.cfm?ArticleID=RWT110401204523&p=3


there's still a lot of misinformation spread concerning memory.

and Jono yep, it'll run. just try to keep the sticks identical if you can, to minimize any possible problems.

 

[GibGaming]

'interleaved' has nothing in common with 'dual channel'! 'interleaved' concerns keeping more than one page of ram open at a time in an over-simplified sort of way.
http://www.georgebreese.com/net/software/readmes/venabler_v015_readme.htm
http://www.realworldtech.com/page.cfm?ArticleID=RWT110401204523&p=3


there's still a lot of misinformation spread concerning memory.

and Jono yep, it'll run. just try to keep the sticks identical if you can, to minimize any possible problems.

I never said that Interleaved had anything to do with dual channel!

 

[james.miller]

Its called Interleaved when 4 sticks are used.

when 2 sticks are in the correct slots then its Dual Channel

what does that mean then? its dual Channel regardless of how many sticks are used. if both memory controllers have ram attached, thats dual channel

 

[Jaffa_Cake]

I beleive if you get another 2x512mb then it should run in dual channel. Never tried it in person. Google response

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=2052191

http://tinyurl.com/2g8nc5

 

[Snapshot]

It certainly should stay in dual channel mode if you use another pair of 512MB DIMMs. Whether it will if you use one 1GB DIMM is down to the memory controller and there's no need to risk it. I have two PCs each with four DDR2 DIMMs and they're both in dual channel mode. I can't tell whether they're interleaved as well but I hope so....

 

[GibGaming]

what does that mean then? its dual Channel regardless of how many sticks are used. if both memory controllers have ram attached, thats dual channel

Are you a dumbass ? 2 STICKS is dual channel when in the correct slots.

 

[sidefxv1]

Are you a dumbass ? 2 STICKS is dual channel when in the correct slots.

Lol, interesting post considering Jaffa_Cake's links just 2 posts before yours explained that four sticks will still work in dual channel mode. Still, if you need more to read:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_channel

http://www.kingston.com/newtech/MKF_520DDRwhitepaper.pdf

 

[james.miller]

Are you a dumbass ? 2 STICKS is dual channel when in the correct slots.

4 sticks is dual channel as well. 3 sticks = dual channel if the configuration is right. dont try to be a smart arse, fool. it doesnt suit you you know damn well i was refering to your comment about 4 sticks = interleaving.