12gb RAM still possible on i7 dual channel models?

[TailsNZ]

Seeing that the i7 motherboards had 6 slots for RAM, but now the new i7 range are dropping down to just a dual channel memory controller, I was wondering if that means they are limited to just using 4 of the RAM slots?

Sorry if this is a silly question, I couldn't find an answer with Google so I thought I'd ask here. Thanks!

 

[betaflame]

According to anandtech's latest article, yes

 

[taltamir]

4 ram slots... but you can currently buy up to 32GB in a SINGLE dimm (yes, they make 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32GB sticks)... 4x32 = 128GB of ram... I highly doubt your average mobo will support that much though.
But you should have no problem using 2x4GB + 2x2GB for 12GB total. but due to price most people will get 4x2GB for 8GB total.

 

[TailsNZ]

Thanks guys!

Hmm ok, I'll have to think about this. I might be better going for a more expensive motherboard and the i7 920 so I can get 12gb of RAM. I do lots of photoshop with 21 megapixel images and also editing 1080p video. Both of which are very RAM hungry.

 

[taltamir]

then go right ahead and get an X58 + i7, the cost savings from 2GB ram modules instead of 4GB will be much greater than the cost savings of getting a P55...

 

[Emulex]

just run 6 x 4gb (dual socket) and you can use cheap unbuffered sticks. won't ever be able to upgrade past 6x4gb though

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: TailsNZ
Thanks guys!

Hmm ok, I'll have to think about this. I might be better going for a more expensive motherboard and the i7 920 so I can get 12gb of RAM. I do lots of photoshop with 21 megapixel images and also editing 1080p video. Both of which are very RAM hungry.

I've got 12GB of RAM. Price wise the 6GB kits just made more sense at the time. I consistently use around 4-5GB of RAM at any given time and when I fire up WinXP Pro in a VMWare box, I'm in the 6-7GB range of usage. I think the highest usage I've seen so far is around 8GB utilized.

I say all that because if you're a power user, the requirements for RAM aren't going to go down. Also, having 6 slots makes the overall upgrade cheaper because you can use lower capacity sticks to achieve the same amount of RAM. To illustrate a 2x4GB DDR3 kit will run you $339 at Crucial.com, and that's about average. I paid less than $200 for 12GB using all 2GB sticks and my FSB and timing ratings are better as well. Trying to pack 12GB in four slots will set you back around $400-$450 currently.

 

[Idontcare]

Bloomfield and i7's are actually capable of supporting 9 dimm slots in triple-channel config (3 dimms per channel, 3 channels), the IMC already has the capability. For practical reasons the consumer grade i7 x58 based mobos only have 6 dimms physically.

So while the P55 i5's and i3's are slated to only support dual-channel mode it should still support 3 dimms per channel for a total of 6 physical dimm slots. The question will be whether or not mobo P55 makers physically place 6 dimms on these low(er)-cost motherboards.

 

[yh125d]

The new i7's with dual channel mem controllers are the i7's for the 1156 socket, no? i7 for 1366 will stay trip channel right?

 

[faxon]

Originally posted by: Idontcare
Bloomfield and i7's are actually capable of supporting 9 dimm slots in triple-channel config (3 dimms per channel, 3 channels), the IMC already has the capability. For practical reasons the consumer grade i7 x58 based mobos only have 6 dimms physically.

So while the P55 i5's and i3's are slated to only support dual-channel mode it should still support 3 dimms per channel for a total of 6 physical dimm slots. The question will be whether or not mobo P55 makers physically place 6 dimms on these low(er)-cost motherboards.

look at the motherboard previews, there is already one out there that has this configuration

 

[Idontcare]

Originally posted by: faxon

Originally posted by: Idontcare
Bloomfield and i7's are actually capable of supporting 9 dimm slots in triple-channel config (3 dimms per channel, 3 channels), the IMC already has the capability. For practical reasons the consumer grade i7 x58 based mobos only have 6 dimms physically.

So while the P55 i5's and i3's are slated to only support dual-channel mode it should still support 3 dimms per channel for a total of 6 physical dimm slots. The question will be whether or not mobo P55 makers physically place 6 dimms on these low(er)-cost motherboards.

look at the motherboard previews, there is already one out there that has this configuration

Good god man, I can't be bothered with data and actual reviews of products on the market :shocked: Let me live in my world of hypothetical products based plausibly built with spec sheets :laugh:

Thanks for letting me though :beer: I had not realized the P55 previews were out an about, been kind of ignoring it to be honest while I wait for a bona fide review to come out.