dual channel question

[slightlyhuman]

can i only run dual channel with 2x256 and 2x512?

i have 2x256 now, if i stuck another stick of the same kind of ram in there making it 3x256(have 4 slots) would it still run dual channel?

confused about this and need it cleared it.

LMK something

 

[globalcitizen]

You need a dual memory chip to get dual channel to work i.e. 2*something. Odd pieces of memory will reduce it to single channel

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: globalcitizen
You need a dual memory chip to get dual channel to work i.e. 2*something. Odd pieces of memory will reduce it to single channel

<BZZZZT>

Wrong (although technically correct for Intel). Certain chipsets (like the NForce2 Ultra, and I'm pretty sure the memory controllers in the A64 work like this) can run 'unbalanced' dual-channel with three RAM sticks. They just have more RAM on one channel, so you don't get quite as much of a performance benefit (not that it's very big for the Athlon processors). Intel processors only work in dual-channel with 2 or 4 DIMMs.

 

[globalcitizen]

lol thanks for correcting me matthias.

 

[slightlyhuman]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: globalcitizen
You need a dual memory chip to get dual channel to work i.e. 2*something. Odd pieces of memory will reduce it to single channel

<BZZZZT>

Wrong (although technically correct for Intel). Certain chipsets (like the NForce2 Ultra, and I'm pretty sure the memory controllers in the A64 work like this) can run 'unbalanced' dual-channel with three RAM sticks. They just have more RAM on one channel, so you don't get quite as much of a performance benefit (not that it's very big for the Athlon processors). Intel processors only work in dual-channel with 2 or 4 DIMMs.

i have p4 albatron PX865PE PRO, so if i ran a 256 in each of the 4 slots (4x256) it would run dual channel?

 

[stevty2889]

With your motherboard, you need pairs to run in dual channel, so two sticks, or 4 sticks will run in dual channel, 3 sticks won't. 4x256mb sticks would work, it also helps if they are the same brand, and have the same timings.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: globalcitizen
You need a dual memory chip to get dual channel to work i.e. 2*something. Odd pieces of memory will reduce it to single channel

<BZZZZT>

Wrong (although technically correct for Intel). Certain chipsets (like the NForce2 Ultra, and I'm pretty sure the memory controllers in the A64 work like this) can run 'unbalanced' dual-channel with three RAM sticks. They just have more RAM on one channel, so you don't get quite as much of a performance benefit (not that it's very big for the Athlon processors). Intel processors only work in dual-channel with 2 or 4 DIMMs.

I have heard many people cannot get uneven amounts in each channel to run right. But if you match the amounts you shouldn't have much trouble. (i.e. 2x256 in channel 1 and 1x512 in channel 2) Although I believe its suppose to work your way. 😀