Is same ram needed for Dual Channel?

[digitalduck]

Ok, I just got 2x 256 of Crucial 3200 DDR and now I kinda want to go up to a gig, so if I get on 512 stick, having three sticks in will it still be dual channel? The name says no, but I didnt know. Also, does it have to be the same ram? So I would have to get more crucial? Thanks

 

[mechBgon]

If you've got an nForce2 motherboard, go for it. It'll work fine. Doesn't have to be more Crucial, either.

If it's an Intel-based system, then get a second pair of modules that match eachother (they don't necessarily have to match the first pair). For an Intel board you would put pair #1 in DIMM slots 1 & 3, and pair #2 in DIMM slots 2 & 4 (typically, check in your manual to confirm).

 

[digitalduck]

Yeah, I have an NF7

 

[mechBgon]

Good deal, it's not going to be picky about the RAM being the same brand, size or so forth. pspada did some benchmarking with one 512MB stick plus two 256MB sticks in an nForce2 board, and it doesn't even seem to make much difference what arrangement you use. Have fun!

 

[SilentAssassin]

I was just about to post a question like this so I figured I might as well just ask it in this topic. I have an Asus A7N8X Deluxe - Nforce2 Mobo and I baught a set of 2 256MB sticks of Mushkin Level 2 PC 3500 Ram because 1gig was just too much cash for me at the time. I would like to have 1gig now though as some games give me a bit of stuttering but guess what? I can't find the Mushkin Level 2 anymore. Seems they only make level 1 but it's almost identical to the level 2 that I baught anyways just maybe 1 number difference on the timings but no big deal. So anyways if I baught the 512MB stick of the Mushkin Level 1 PC3500 would it work with the other 2 sticks of Mushkin Level 2?

 

[mechBgon]

Yeah, that should work. If the motherboard is handling the timings itself, it should simply use the timings of the slowest module. You aren't going to notice the difference between, say CAS2 and CAS2.5. You are going to notice the difference when the system no longer has to swap data to the hard drive! HTH.

 

[digitalduck]

Ok guys..buying new ram. Kingston or Crucial or what about Corsir ..I only ask because Kingtson is having a sale right now and you can get 512megs 3200 for $74..not bad compaed to $104 for Crucial at newegg...since apparently its been determined that I can mix my crucial and kingston and still have dual channel...right?

 

[SilentAssassin]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Yeah, that should work. If the motherboard is handling the timings itself, it should simply use the timings of the slowest module. You aren't going to notice the difference between, say CAS2 and CAS2.5. You are going to notice the difference when the system no longer has to swap data to the hard drive! HTH.

Yeah I always thuoght it was ram speeds that caused the little stutters in games but now I'm finding out it just I need lots of ram. And the Mushkin Level 1 is still CAS2 anyways Just 2-3-3 timings instead of 2-2-2 but who knows it might run stable at 2-2-2 still you never know. Thanks.