Triple Channel Question

ooaldridge · 8 Feb 2009 at 12:55

Hi, i have a quick question regarding memory. Ive read that you can put dual channel dimms into a triple channel motherboard and it will run.

Say your triple channel mobo had 6 slots, could you put in 3 sets of same dual channel memory in? Would it they work as 2 sets of tripple channel?

lankymorley · 8 Feb 2009 at 15:25

I think in theory it would work, but Tri-channel sets require much less voltage and comply with Intel's recommended max DIMM voltages. Dual channel sets require more voltage and would not meet Intel's voltage recommendations, so the lifetime of your CPU may decrease with 3 dual channel sets.

reflux · 8 Feb 2009 at 15:29

Yes, it would work, but as lanky says the vDimm is the concern. If you want to do it, make sure you're using the lowest power DDR3 you can.

ooaldridge · 8 Feb 2009 at 16:57

hi, im a bit confused (havnt had a decent upgrade for a while and not up to date on recent mobo's), i thought vcore powered the cpu and vdimm the memory so why would one effect the other?

lankymorley · 8 Feb 2009 at 19:11

Well it's just Intel's guidelines, I'm not entirely sure how it affects the CPU. Maybe it's something to do with the memory controller on the i7 platform being in the CPU itself?

ashagplz · 9 Feb 2009 at 18:43

its to do with he difference between the the voltages....if you use more than 1.65 for memory you need to up vcore...

JonJ678 · 9 Feb 2009 at 21:40

There's a (sticky?) post on OCZ forums about the 'ultimate compromise'... basically running older high voltage ddr3 at intels recommended voltage for i7, coping with the significant drop in speed but tightening the timings loads. Looks to be very successful, ill see if I can find it for you

here ya go http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47516&highlight=ultimate+compromise

reflux · 9 Feb 2009 at 21:47

It's because the memory controller in the i7 CPUs is integrated into the CPU itself, instead of being in the northbridge, like with AMD's AMD64 chips.