Newbie Q: Dual Channel RAM

[KEV1N]

I have been out of the loop in regards to PC enthusiast technology. I am wanting to upgrade to an NForce2 mobo... but some n00b questions.

a.) Dual channel RAM. What are the prereqs? Can I run my 2x256 PC2100 RAM in dual channel mode, or do I need DDR 400?

b.) Is the performance gain significant?

 

[NicColt]

>Is the performance gain significant?

Not really, according to a recent anantech review they tested 2 x 512 on dual channel and 4 x 256 on single channel and the single channel was faster but this was on 865 and 875 chipsets. It also depends if you o/c or not. Overall I think the gains or losses are small.