Can you run 2 pairs of RAM in Dual Channel mode?

[LowTeck]

Hey guys, I've looked for the answer but can't seem to one...so..I'll ask you.

Are there motherboards capable of running 2 pairs of RAM in Dual Channel mode? I have 2x512 ram and 2x256 ram. If the mobo has 4 slots, can I pair them up so that both pairs run in dual channel? Or does it not work like that?

 

[Peter]

For AMD64 platform, and the usual P4 chipsets, that's a yes. You need to have identical pairs, not an all-identical set of four.

 

[LowTeck]

That is what I needed to know, perfect.

thanks Peter.

 

[Killrose]

Originally posted by: Peter
For AMD64 platform, and the usual P4 chipsets, that's a yes. You need to have identical pairs, not an all-identical set of four.

I'm confused by your answer to the question. Are you saying he needs to pair 1x256 and 1x512=768mb for each channel? 😱

 

[Peter]

With channels A and B, put 512 MB into DIMM A1 and B1, and 256 each into A2 and B2. This way, overall population of the channels stays symmetrical - and that's the important thing. Yes that'll be 768 MB per channel, why not?

 

[trork]

hey
i have 2 x 2gb kits (2 x 1gb sticks) crucial ddr 400 3200 and a ecs nforce4-a939 with an amd 64 3500+. Can i run all 4 gigs dual channel at t1?

please help

 

[cpacini]

You can run 4x1GB, but you will have to use 2t.

 

[Hikari]

Originally posted by: cpacini
You can run 4x1GB, but you will have to use 2t.

I thought that was just on older A64s and that newer steppings had an improved on-die memory controller that fixed this?

 

[Muggy]

Originally posted by: Hikari
I thought that was just on older A64s and that newer steppings had an improved on-die memory controller that fixed this?

Nah. If I remember right, only the DFI RDX 200 and the Expert series boards handle 4 sticks of RAM at 1T.

 

[trork]

so is ti better to have 2 gigs in t1 or 4 gigs in t2 for gaming. Which will be most stable?
And do i have to "relaxe the setting?
I have a venice core 3500+ by the way.
Oh and for just a single dual channel of ram (2 x 1gb sticks) do i use opposite colours or same colours on the ecs nforce-a939, the instructions are dire in the booklet.
By running the 64-bit version of xp will it work better than the 32bit version with 4 gigs?

Sorry its a new build and alot of stuff has changed since i built my last pc.

 

[Peter]

Originally posted by: Hikari

Originally posted by: cpacini
You can run 4x1GB, but you will have to use 2t.

I thought that was just on older A64s and that newer steppings had an improved on-die memory controller that fixed this?

This is not something to be "fixed", it's the physical reality of running many RAM chips on a common 200 MHz bus. (The DDR standard even demands 166 MHz operation for this setup, so if you achieve 200 MHz at 2T command, it's BETTER than what's to be expected.)