Another quick RAM question

[blueonblack]

If my board supports dual-channel memory and has four RAM slots, if I install four pieces of identical DDR2 ram they should all run dual-channel, correct? I thought they would as long as they were installed in pairs.

[Zephik]

As long as your board supports dual channel ram and your ram is dual channel, they'll run dual channel.

[blueonblack]

As I suspected. I may have a setting issue then. I just built this machine yesterday, and my shiny new G-Skill ram is running in single channel for some reason. Maybe something in the BIOS, I'll have to look it over when I get home. Thanks!

[nevermind1534]

As I suspected. I may have a setting issue then. I just built this machine yesterday, and my shiny new G-Skill ram is running in single channel for some reason. Maybe something in the BIOS, I'll have to look it over when I get home. Thanks!

It should be a setting in the BIOS.

[SXRguyinMA]

make sure its dual-channel RAM as well, if its single channel that'll be your problem :up:

[blueonblack]

Ok, it's dual-channel ram, DDR2 1066 from G-Skill. From what I've found, however, there is a limitation with the AM2 memory controller that will only let me use 1066 in one channel. My poking and prodding backs that up. If I reboot and set it manually to 1066 in BIOS CPU-Z and AMD Overdrive both show it in single channel, but if I do the same thing and set it manually to 800 it comes up in dual channel.

So I guess my question now is, which is better? 8 gigs at 1066 in single channel or 8 gigs at 800 in dual channel? Or will I even see a difference in real-world applications?

[Zephik]

Ok, it's dual-channel ram, DDR2 1066 from G-Skill. From what I've found, however, there is a limitation with the AM2 memory controller that will only let me use 1066 in one channel. My poking and prodding backs that up. If I reboot and set it manually to 1066 in BIOS CPU-Z and AMD Overdrive both show it in single channel, but if I do the same thing and set it manually to 800 it comes up in dual channel.

So I guess my question now is, which is better? 8 gigs at 1066 in single channel or 8 gigs at 800 in dual channel? Or will I even see a difference in real-world applications?


Dual-channel architecture describes a technology that theoretically doubles data throughput from the memory to the memory controller. Dual-channel-enabled memory controllers utilize two 64-bit data channels, resulting in a 128-bit data path. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel_architecture)

I would say dual channel 800 would be better than single channel 1066. But thats just basing my opinion from the wikipedia quote. It probably doesn't have any real world difference. It would probably only be useful to use one or the other if you were an overclocker who wants to push his system to the bleeding edge of its capabilities, either for personal satisfaction or to set a record or something.

So thats what I think anyways, take it with a grain of salt since I could be totally wrong and maybe you will see a difference with using one over the other.

[crenn]

I can tell you now that Dual Channel 800 will run around Single Channel 1066 in terms of raw bandwidth ;)

[blueonblack]

I can tell you now that Dual Channel 800 will run around Single Channel 1066 in terms of raw bandwidth ;)

Well, all righty then. There it will stay.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

make sure its dual-channel RAM as well, if its single channel that'll be your problem :up:

As long as they're rated for the same timings and of the same capacity it shouldn't matter. I ran my old nF2 box on 2x256 of Micron 5BG and 1x512 of Samsung TCB3 in dual-channel, 200@2.5-3-3-9 for ages.

Might be different somehow with DDR2, but I wouldn't think so.

[blueonblack]

Ok, I'm going to tack on yet ANOTHER ram question here. This particular G-Skill ram is listed on Newegg as "Intel Chipsets only". WTF? I thought ram was ram was ram, as far as chipset compatibility went?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231226

[Zephik]

Probably just an error either on the manufactures part or newegg's. I wouldn't pay any attention to it.

Its probably on the lines of basically saying that this kind of ram won't work with, say, an Arduino system OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. Like custom builds or something, where special types of memory are required. Thats my guess anyways.

[mtekk]

That's very odd, usually they will specify if it will work on built by intel motherboards, as they for the most part will not support voltages out of the JDEC specifications (1.8v for DDR2).

[The Black Pumpkin]

and your ram is dual channel

Just to clarify, there isn't actually such a thing as "dual channel" memory. There are just dual channel kits that have been tested to run together in dual channel. ;)

As far the for Intel chipsets only? Doesn't mean anything for real life. It may be marketing, it may be like zephik says, but it won't matter, ram is ram. That's not to say that all ram will work good with every computer it can fit in, there are all sorts of size and density requirements and certain brands just don't seem to work well with certain chipsets and such, but that is all mostly in the past.