HELP: Dual Channel DDR

[tamman]

Can someone please explain to me what the benefits of Dual Channel DDR are? What exactly it is, and whether it's better than DDR that isn't??? Or does this just mean two DDR sticks as opposed to one?


Thanks!

 

[WobbleWobble]

2 DDR sticks opposed to 1.

As for the benefits, it helps a lot for Pentium 4 based systems and AMD nForce2 based systems with integrated graphics. It almost nothing for AMD based system without integrated graphics.

 

[tamman]

Does that mean... if I have a Dell 8300 (P4 3.0Ghz HT) which has/supports dual channel DDR, I *have to* use two DDR sticks? Or can I use one stick with lower performance?


Thanks.

 

[JBT]

you can use 1 stick but yeah the perfromance will be a bit lower. I would reccommend getting a 2nd stick ASAP.

 

[cockeyed]

Get the 2nd stick of memory to enable running in Dual channel mode. This will enable your P4-3ghz to run at peak performance. One stick will work but at lower performance. Just be sure to get the identical memory to match the 1st stick. If you don't already have the memory, buy the dual channel 2 packs sold by the major mfgrs., to avoid problems. Also, you must install the memory in the correct slots to get it to work in Dual Channel mode; see the computer manual.

 

[blazerazor]

It almost nothing for AMD based system without integrated graphics

I dont understand this. Did you run a bunch of benches on a identical systems, with different boards and come up with this. My DFI Lanparty says it has Dual channel DDR on the box. I understand that intel has Dual - dual channel ddr. As in 2 sets of twin sticks.

About a 10-15% increase in performance comes to mind with ddr. T/F?

So am I stupid to pay the $$ for good perforance ram if i use AMD???

 

[WobbleWobble]

I dont understand this. Did you run a bunch of benches on a identical systems, with different boards and come up with this.

There are plenty of benchmarks on the Internet that support what I say. If you have an nForce2-based board and have it running in dual channel, change the slots of the RAM and make it run single channel. You won't notice a difference.

My DFI Lanparty says it has Dual channel DDR on the box. I understand that intel has Dual - dual channel ddr. As in 2 sets of twin sticks.

Intel boards will run faster with 2 sets of dual channel sticks of RAM. But only minimally. In my opinion, it's not worth the tradeoff limiting yourself to the number of free RAM slots you can use.

About a 10-15% increase in performance comes to mind with ddr. T/F?

If AMD? False more like 0-3%, usually closer to the 0 mark.

So am I stupid to pay the $$ for good perforance ram if i use AMD???

Not necessarily, if you really want to push the FSB or run tight timings, then no. Is it worth the premium? My personal opinion is spend the extra money on other parts of the PC instead of buying premium RAM.

 

[tamman]

Even if the configuation is two banks of two for the dual-channel DDR, can I just put one stick in? Or am I forced into using two sticks at a time?

 

[WobbleWobble]

You can run with 1 stick

 

[Sheriff]

Go with the 1 512MB (esp on a NForce non G) it'll work, and add another matching stick later cause you may need it

 

[Boogak]

Originally posted by: blazerazor

It almost nothing for AMD based system without integrated graphics

I dont understand this. Did you run a bunch of benches on a identical systems, with different boards and come up with this. My DFI Lanparty says it has Dual channel DDR on the box. I understand that intel has Dual - dual channel ddr. As in 2 sets of twin sticks.

About a 10-15% increase in performance comes to mind with ddr. T/F?

So am I stupid to pay the $$ for good perforance ram if i use AMD???

Anandtech link to DDR vs Dual DDR

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