Dual Channel RAM: Same Color or slots 1/3 and 2/4?

[raygundan]

I got a cheapo combo deal from Fry's a few days ago-- a fairly generic ECS NFORCE6M-A motherboard with an Athlon 64 X2 6000+. I've got two 1GB DDR2-667 sticks to install. The documentation is lousy, though, and doesn't mention how the memory slots are wired. They're in two sets of two, and the sets are the same color. Normally, one would use slots one and three, and slots two and four for dual channel RAM configuration, right? Generally, the slots are also colored so that 1/3 and 2/4 are the same color.

However, I'm stuck with slots 1/2 and 3/4 being the same color and no documentation to clarify. Where should I put the two modules?

Alternatively, what's the easiest way to tell if I'm configured correctly? Is there a quick memory bench I can run to see if I'm in dual channel mode?

 

[JustaGeek]

Put it in same colored slots (1/2 as I understand) and verify with CPU-Z if you are running in Dual Channel.

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

If not, try slots 1 and 3.

 

[Zap]

The majority of board manufacturers use same color slots. One exception is MSI. :|

It really won't hurt anything if it isn't running dual channel, so just put them in same color slots and boot it up. Hit the PAUSE key on the POST screen and most boards will say what mode the RAM is running in. If not, then use CPU-Z as JustaGeek mentioned.