Silly triple channel questions.

[hypochondriac]

1, If instead of buying 2 of the same sets of 3 sticks of ram, could I buy 3 sets of 2 sticks? Assuming the individual sticks from the sets of 2 are still superior to the individual sticks from the sets of 3.

2, If I had 2 (or perhaps 4 or 5) sticks and a triple channel mobo, would it still work with just 2 (or 4 or 5) sticks in? or would I need to acquire a third (or sixth) identical stick?

 

[RoEy]

1, If instead of buying 2 of the same sets of 3 sticks of ram, could I buy 3 sets of 2 sticks? Assuming the individual sticks from the sets of 2 are still superior to the individual sticks from the sets of 3.

Sounds like a riddle.

RoEy

 

[Admiral Huddy]

Hmm You can use any sticks in any combination. However, where they are not matched, the system will usually deafult all modules to the slowest module.

In order for your triple memory to work, they must appear as sets of 3 matching sticks in each bank(s)...

 

[Yellowbeard]

It "should" work but, keep in mind that on i7 CPUs, Intel recommends to not use more than 1.65v on the memory voltage. So, if you buy RAM rated at more than 1.65v, you may have to downclock some from the rated speeds. Therefore, no twin packs of RAM will be tested and guaranteed on tri channel i7s.

Most likely, you'll come out better overall buying 2 kits of 3 modules each. I'm assuming you want 12GB?

 

[Cob]

Yellowbeard have you yourselves come across any issues running DDR3 over 1.65v in an i7 system?

 

[Yellowbeard]

Yellowbeard have you yourselves come across any issues running DDR3 over 1.65v in an i7 system?

Not yet but, until it is more thoroughly tested, we are adhering to the Intel recommendation of 1.65v or less. We certainly cannot hand out the advice to run memory at more than 1.65v and risk our advice causing damage to end users.

Over at XS I am seeing quite a few users running more than 1.65v but, that is to be expected there of course.