Dual channel question

[dabuddha]

My motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-7N400SL

I currently have 2 sticks of 512MB memory running in dual channel. I wanted to add another 1 gig stick because whenever I play WoW, I can tell that windows is using my swap file.

This motherboard has only 3 dimm slots and it says if you're gonna use 2 sticks in Dual Channel, put the sticks in slot A/C or B/C.

It says you can also add 3 sticks in Dual channel but they recommend you add the same size sticks. So it'd be 3x512MB sticks.

Does that sound right (about the same size memory sticks). I'd really like to add a 1 gig stick if possible.

Also, lets say I do add a 1 gig stick and it runs in single channel, will I notice a degredation in performance?

TIA!

 

[agathodaimon]

well, you could sell the two 512mb sticks and get two 1gb sticks for DC.

I did a benchmark a few days ago with 3dmark05.
First, it was single channel memory with a single 1gb stick.
Second, I did the test in dual channel with TWO 1gb sticks.
Dual channel netted me about 150 points in 3dmark...
So the difference in performance with dual channel vs. single channel wasn't that noticeable.

At least now I don't have to use the page file all the time. hehe

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: agathodaimon
well, you could sell the two 512mb sticks and get two 1gb sticks for DC.

I did a benchmark a few days ago with 3dmark05.
First, it was single channel memory with a single 1gb stick.
Second, I did the test in dual channel with TWO 1gb sticks.
Dual channel netted me about 150 points in 3dmark...
So the difference in performance with dual channel vs. single channel wasn't that noticeable.

At least now I don't have to use the page file all the time. hehe

lol duh! I never even thought about just selling my 2 512 meg sticks

Any idea if Mushkin's lifetime warranty is only for the original buyer or anyone that owns it?

thanks!

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: agathodaimon
well, you could sell the two 512mb sticks and get two 1gb sticks for DC.

I did a benchmark a few days ago with 3dmark05.
First, it was single channel memory with a single 1gb stick.
Second, I did the test in dual channel with TWO 1gb sticks.
Dual channel netted me about 150 points in 3dmark...
So the difference in performance with dual channel vs. single channel wasn't that noticeable.

At least now I don't have to use the page file all the time. hehe

lol duh! I never even thought about just selling my 2 512 meg sticks

Any idea if Mushkin's lifetime warranty is only for the original buyer or anyone that owns it?

thanks!

Anyone that owns it.

 

[sillious]

If you install 2x1GB in A/C or B/C, it will run at Dual channel, if you put 1 or 3, it won't. Consult your mobo manual.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: sillious
If you install 2x1GB in A/C or B/C, it will run at Dual channel, if you put 1 or 3, it won't. Consult your mobo manual.

According to my motherboard manual, it says it'll run in dual channel with 3 sticks which didn't make sense to me.

 

[WobbleWobble]

It should work in dual channel. It uses slots 1&2 for 1GB and slot 3 for the other GB and does dual channel that way.

On nForce2 boards, dual channel benefits were minimal and often not even a percent.

Mushkin's warranty is only for the original owner in the original machine. Technically if it worked in the original system and doesn't work in your new system, the warranty doesn't cover it. Many companies are like that, most just don't bother checking for the original onwer or are nice enough to just warranty the product regardless if it's the original owner.