RAM

[ziplocpicker]

Why does my dual channel ram show up as single channel under CPU-Z? Is there any way to make it run as dual channel?

Also, my mobile processor doesn't have the 'mobile' designation under CPU-Z either.


Thanks.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

BIOS should report "Dual Channel Mode" when it POSTs and checks the size of the RAM. If you see that in the POST screen I think you can be confident you're running dual channel. CPU-Z may just not properly work with your mobo. I've seen this before.

In order for dual channel to work you need two MATCHED sticks of memory, and they must be in the proper sockets (check your manual).

 

[ziplocpicker]

I don't see "Dual Channel Mode" in the POST, and I bought 2x 512 Corsair ValueRAM, so it shoould be matched. There are only 3 ram slots on my mobo, and i have to use DIMM 1. I've tried putting the ram in DIMMs 1 and 2 and DIMMS 1 and 3, and both show up as single channel. I'm kinda running out of options.

How much more performance does dual channel ram give me, anyway?

 

[Stern]

what mobo do you have?

 

[ziplocpicker]

Asus K8N with the latest BIOS.

 

[BadThad]

Maybe CPU-Z is wrong? Are you using the latest version? CPU-Z is NOT fool-proof, I've seen it wrong about things before.

 

[ziplocpicker]

Maybe. Is there any way to freeze the POST so i can actually read it?

 

[daveybrat]

There's a GOOD reason CPU-Z is reporting your ram as single-channel:

ASUS K8N is a socket 754 Athlon64 and ONLY supports Single-channel ram, NOT dual-channel.

A dual-channel board has to be socket939 and it will usually have 4 dimm slots, not 3.

The only way you'll get dual-channel is to buy a new motherboard and cpu......not worth it.

You'll only get about a 5% increase in speed with dual-channel anyways.

 

[daveybrat]

Crappy PSU that I refuse to upgrade until I get stability issues

On another quick note, that quote in your system specs is the WRONG method of thinking.

Yes, your system may run fine for now with a crap power supply, but just don't cry when it pops someday and blows out the motherboard and your hard drive which i've seen many times from cheap power supplies.

People usually think that they'll get along on it until it dies nicely.....but what if it dies horribly and takes out half your system? Then you'll wish you had forked out a little extra for that heavy-duty model.

Just my opinion

 

[BadThad]

Originally posted by: ziplocpicker
Maybe. Is there any way to freeze the POST so i can actually read it?

Press the PAUSE key during post at anytime to freeze the screen, press ENTER to resume.

 

[BadThad]

Originally posted by: daveybrat

Crappy PSU that I refuse to upgrade until I get stability issues

On another quick note, that quote in your system specs is the WRONG method of thinking.

Yes, your system may run fine for now with a crap power supply, but just don't cry when it pops someday and blows out the motherboard and your hard drive which i've seen many times from cheap power supplies.

People usually think that they'll get along on it until it dies nicely.....but what if it dies horribly and takes out half your system? Then you'll wish you had forked out a little extra for that heavy-duty model.

Just my opinion

Indeed!

 

[ziplocpicker]

Ah. Well then, thanks for the advice. (both mobo and psu)