Is dual-channel possible with 3 sticks?

Beagle · 18 Jan 2010 at 15:10

Probably a daft question, (and I suspect I know the answer), but up 'till now, I've had 2GB RAM (2x 1Gb) running as dual channel. I've just got an additional 2Gb stick bringing the total up to 4Gb (well, 3.25GB in XP :rolleyes:

)

Is it possible to run these as 'dual channel'? Or do 3 sticks always revert to single channel?

And as far as performance increase is concerned, just how good is dual channel? I'd assume more RAM would always be better?

It's running on a IP35 pro motherboard.

capriboy1978 · 18 Jan 2010 at 15:14

as for 3 sticks you've answered your own question

Not really sure on duak channel against increased capacity, sorry. Tbh, outside of benches you'd likely not notice the speed drop. Try it and see.

paradisiac · 18 Jan 2010 at 15:18

some motherboards i believe do allow you to run dual channel mode with 3 sticks, so dont think its as silly as you think.

capriboy1978 · 18 Jan 2010 at 19:47

which? and does it work as it should?

paradisiac · 18 Jan 2010 at 19:56

capriboy1978 said:
which? and does it work as it should?

not sure but a quick google search brings up some info

MadMatty · 18 Jan 2010 at 23:49

I ran my old nForce2 mobo this way (Abit NF7). 2x256 in one channel and 1x512 in the other.

ck88 · 19 Jan 2010 at 01:20

I'm running 3x1gb sticks and theyre run in dual-channel asymmetric mode as to symmetric mode. Not sure on the difference but yeah.. board is a P5Q PRO Turbo.

capriboy1978 · 19 Jan 2010 at 09:23

ooggd to know, presume asymmetric mode means in one direction ie read or write. Interesting to know how if pans out in real world useage.

paradisiac · 19 Jan 2010 at 09:25

its also possilbe to run 4 sticks in tri channel mode on x58 setups

not sure how it works performance wise, but im sure it wont be long before some benchmarks will be done.

Chaosboss · 19 Jan 2010 at 09:33

Where's that facepalm bear...

paradisiac · 19 Jan 2010 at 10:29

Chaosboss said:
Where's that facepalm bear...

huh