Confused over single and double channel ram applications

[GeezerMan]

I got a brain ache over reading about this stuff. If you have a AMD socket 754 motherbaord that can operate only single channel PC3200 ram, then using double channel ram has no advantage. Right?
I'll be building 2 systems now, one a socket 754 and one a socket AM2 with a dual core 3800
I'm looking at some PQI ram. Supposedly for gamers. I see single channel PC3200, so using that in a socket 754 is fine. But I also see some single channel DDR2 PC2-6400 ram. Is there a reason why someone would want single channel DDR2 ram?
I assume since the AMD AM2 boards are dual channel, that's what I should get.
Thanks

 

[cubby1223]

People might want single channel ddr2 ram because it might be cheaper, and their use of the computer does not see any benifits from dual channel.

 

[GeezerMan]

OK, thanks. Since one of my projects is a dual core 3800 on a AM2 board, then I should for sure go with dual channel ram, right?

 

[PurdueRy]

Let me add more ache to your brain

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS DUAL CHANNEL RAM

 

[Bobthelost]

There is no such thing as dual channel or single channel only RAM. It's just a way of using it.

For various reasons you might buy single sticks instead of matched pairs that will work in dual channel. Two seperatly bought single sticks may well work in dual channel mode together, they don't have to be identical, merely similar.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: GeezerMan
OK, thanks. Since one of my projects is a dual core 3800 on a AM2 board, then I should for sure go with dual channel ram, right?

You should get DDR2 RAM.

 

[GeezerMan]

OK, you can't run a single stick of ram in dual channel, cuz you are using only one channel. I read the sticker on the 1GB stick of ram, and it said single channel. Why do they bother to put that wording on there then? Is it because they don't want people buying sticks one at a time, and assume that they will run dual channel well together?

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: GeezerMan
OK, you can't run a single stick of ram in dual channel, cuz you are using only one channel. I read the sticker on the 1GB stick of ram, and it said single channel. Why do they bother to put that wording on there then? Is it because they don't want people buying sticks one at a time, and assume that they will run dual channel well together?

1) They can charge more for Dual channel kits (note the kits bit)

2) That way you know for sure that it'll work in dual channel.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Let me add more ache to your brain

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS DUAL CHANNEL RAM

We all know what we're all talking about. So if you're going to enlighten everyone with your clever observation, why be the jerk and type an insulting sentence, when another sentence of lesser length could have instead explained the terms?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Let me add more ache to your brain

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS DUAL CHANNEL RAM

We all know what we're all talking about. So if you're going to enlighten everyone with your clever observation, why be the jerk and type an insulting sentence, when another sentence of lesser length could have instead explained the terms?

perhaps a was needed to convey the tone of my comment?

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Let me add more ache to your brain

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS DUAL CHANNEL RAM

We all know what we're all talking about. So if you're going to enlighten everyone with your clever observation, why be the jerk and type an insulting sentence, when another sentence of lesser length could have instead explained the terms?

we have no idea of the ops level of knowledge of computers and the marketing companies have spent tons of $$$ with phrases that don't mean anything. unless you are into computers pretty heavily, and this site has a lot that are, but also is a reference for those that are not, one might be misled by the companies marketing departments and not really understand how the whole dual channel/single channel memory controller works.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: GeezerMan
Why do they bother to put that wording on there then? Is it because they don't want people buying sticks one at a time, and assume that they will run dual channel well together?

imho - confusion and to make people think the "dual channel" kit is better regardless and you are getting an inferior product since it is "single channel". there is no reason for that wording to be on there.

to answer your other questions - also don't buy into the "gamer ram" marketing either as with what you are building it will not matter. "gamer ram" is just ram that has lower latencies and does things a tiny bit faster (but remember we are talking in the the nano-seconds, like a difference of at most 10 comparing "gamer/premium" ram to value, it may matter to a person who needs the extra 2fps when running is $3-5K machine but for the rest of us you will never see the difference) and usually allows more overclocking headroom.

if the "gamer" ram is near the same price as the value then get that, but if there is a decent difference price then value ram will do you nicely.

 

[GeezerMan]

Thank you guys for taking the time to respond.