Dual Channel RAM on My System

[hampuras]

Hi,

I own a setup consisting of amd 64 3500+ with a pair of Kingston value ram ddr400 512mb, running on asus a8n sli mobo. My questions are:

1. What is dual-channel ram?
2. Is my pair of RAM dual channel?
3. Can I run my system only with one stick of ram?
4. If my ram is not dual channel, can i use one on my mobo?
5. What is the diffference/benefit of dual-channel vs single-channel?

Appreciate your feedback. TQ

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: hampuras
Hi,

I own a setup consisting of amd 64 3500+ with a pair of Kingston value ram ddr400 512mb, running on asus a8n sli mobo. My questions are:

1. What is dual-channel ram? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel_architecture
2. Is my pair of RAM dual channel? http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
3. Can I run my system only with one stick of ram? YES
4. If my ram is not dual channel, can i use one on my mobo? clarify the question, pls
5. What is the diffference/benefit of dual-channel vs single-channel? ~50% greater memory bandwidth.
Appreciate your feedback. TQ

 

[hampuras]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek

Originally posted by: hampuras
Hi,

I own a setup consisting of amd 64 3500+ with a pair of Kingston value ram ddr400 512mb, running on asus a8n sli mobo. My questions are:

1. What is dual-channel ram? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel_architecture
2. Is my pair of RAM dual channel? http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
3. Can I run my system only with one stick of ram? YES
4. If my ram is not dual channel, can i use one on my mobo? clarify the question, pls
5. What is the diffference/benefit of dual-channel vs single-channel? ~50% greater memory bandwidth.
Appreciate your feedback. TQ

4. If my ram is not dual channel, can i use one on my mobo? clarify the question, pls

Can I use dual channel ram on my mobo? Or is it only certain mobo that support this?

Thanks

 

[hampuras]

Also, it automatically done or do I need to configure something on the bios?

 

[JustaGeek]

It happens automatically - the motherboard either supports it and runs it, or not.

Download the CPU-Z, unzip it, double click on the cpuz.exe, say YES to run it, and click the "Memory" tab.

It will say "Channel" - Dual or Single.

 

[hampuras]

Thanks. One more question please.

I have been offered a Mushkin Redline XP4000 2 x 1gb ram. I looked at its spec and its say ddr500 while my mobo list to support max ddr400. Can i still use this ram on my mobo?

I have never seen a ddr500 ram before.

 

[JustaGeek]

I don't know your motherboard.

But I would just stick to the rated frequencies for you MB - it might not work without serious tweaking, and your MB might not allow for that.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
5. What is the diffference/benefit of dual-channel vs single-channel? ~50% greater memory bandwidth.

No, single channel is 64 bit and dual-channel is 128 bit. That's 100% greater memory bandwidth, or twice the bandwidth, for simplicities' sake.

Originally posted by: hampuras
I have been offered a Mushkin Redline XP4000 2 x 1gb ram. I looked at its spec and its say ddr500 while my mobo list to support max ddr400. Can i still use this ram on my mobo?

Yes, you can definitely use it. But, unless your BIOS has a setting for running the RAM @ 250 Mhz/ 500 DDR, it will only run @ PC3200 speeds. <--- That only applies if you don't overclock, though. If you're an overclocker, then you'll be able to take advantage of it's higher overclocking capabilities, whether or not your BIOS supports running the RAM faster than the HTT bus. Of course, if you aren't an overclocker, you don't need PC4000; Athlon 64's are not at all memory bandwidth-starved.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
5. What is the diffference/benefit of dual-channel vs single-channel? ~50% greater memory bandwidth.

No, single channel is 64 bit and dual-channel is 128 bit. That's 100% greater memory bandwidth, or twice the bandwidth, for simplicities' sake.

Check it yourself with SANDRA or Everest.

There are losses due to the fact of data being transferred via FSB to (minimum) 2 seperate modules of RAM.

Theoretically - yes, 100%.

Real life - approximately 50%.