Dual Channel memory

[PeteRoy]

I currently have 2 sticks of VDATA 256MB CL3 total 512MB working in Dual channel mode in my 865PERL motherboard.

Now I want to buy a x2 512MB sticks so I can get 1.5GB of total memory.

What I want to know is this, do the 2 channels on the motherboard have to be identical to get dual channel working? I mean, right now channel B is empty and channel A is my x2 256MB sticks.

If I put another 2 sticks of 512MB on channel B, will it screw the dual channel? Or will it work in dual channel?

I hope someone can help me understand this because I am very low on money and I can't afford making a mistake I'll regret and I am confusing myself.

Thank you.

 

[Icopoli]

For dual channel to work properly, you can only have 2 sticks loaded, and they have to have the same memory size modules (last I heard anyway).

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I'm not sure if for Dual Channel with 4 sticks all 4 have to be the same or if just two pairs...

Is there a reason you want 1.5 gigs instead of 1 gig?

 

[PeteRoy]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I'm not sure if for Dual Channel with 4 sticks all 4 have to be the same or if just two pairs...

Is there a reason you want 1.5 gigs instead of 1 gig?

No, but I already have 512MB in dual channel and I could afford buying 1GB and I need to know if the rules of dual channel apply to all 4 channels or only 2 channels need to be identical.

 

[stevty2889]

It will work fine, as long as the DIMMS that are on the same channel are matched, it will work fine. Leave your 256mb sticks where they are, and add your new sticks to the 2 empty slots. If it doesn't boot up properly, you may need to manualy adjust the timings, to those of the slowest sticks, but I have had 3 differant brands mixed on one board and all working in dual channel mode(Gigabyte 8IK1100 has 6 rams slots)..