Single Channel vs Dual Channel and Single Sided vs Double Sided?

[Wicked2010]

I have a vague understanding of two concepts:

1) Single Channel vs Dual Channel

How many sticks are optimal for both? And I know dual channel is supposedly better... how much better is it? Can any RAM run in dual channel... you just have to make sure it is in the correct slot in the motherboard?

2) Single Sided RAM vs Double Sided RAM

How can you tell if it is single or double sided when purchasing? Any impacts on dual channel?

Any answers to these questions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ribbon13]

Single Channel == 1 stick
Dual channel == >1 sticks
Running more than 2 sticks == lowered to 2T command rate == very bad

Umm double sided has chips on both sides of the DIMM??
Single sided is preferred because its less for the memory controller to deal with. The signal integrity is better with fewer chips because every piece of silicon and every length of PCB trace introduces parasitic capacitance onto the common bus, which washes out the signal transitions from sharp edges to slower slopes, thus limiting the maximum operating frequency of that bus.

 

[quakefiend420]

1 or more sticks for single channel, 2 or 4 for dual...when i say 1 or more, the reason i say it is becuase you can run two sticks in cingle channel instead of dual, depending on which slots you put the ram in

EDIT: forgot to answer the second question but ribbon beat me to it anyway

 

[Wicked2010]

Why did ribbon say 1 stick for dual channel?

Isn't this incorrect?

Also, my question was "How can you tell if it is single or double sided when purchasing?"

Where in the description on newegg or ZZF will it say if it is single or double sided? Are double sided memory modules only 1 GIG or higher?

 

[ribbon13]

Quote me on it so I can point out the greater than sign....

look here
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-6

notice where it sayss 32Mx8. Usually single sided is 8 and double is 16

 

[Wicked2010]

Oh yes... good catch... my bad.

Still unsure how much better dual channel is over single channel?

Is it worth the investment?

And can any RAM be run in dual channel?

 

[ribbon13]

What are you system specs? or are you planning a build? if so; budget?

Any ram that supports the same latency, speed and is the same size can run in dual channel, but YMMV. It's best to buy identical sticks, or at least sticks with chips from the same manufactuer.

 

[Wicked2010]

Planning a build. Fairly high end.

I'm just curious how much faster say as a percentage that dual chanel will be over single channel.

I see some conversations mentioning that dual channel is only about 3% faster than single channel... but I'm not sure what to believe.

Thanks for all the great answers, very much appreciated. May your day be bright.

 

[maluckey]

Sage advice indeed.

It's easier said than done however. The reason is that manufacturers are under no obligation to ship all RAM rated at a certain speed and timing, with the same chips. They often use whatever works at that frequency and setting.

This means tht you could have CH-5 chips and BH-5 chips rated as the same and used. They do not work together for any amount of money though. That's the reason behind Kingstons "dual channell". They make sure that the RAM in question has the same chips.

If you can get "eyes-on" the RAM that you want to buy, you can get the same chips and avoid the pitfalls. Another option is to contact the vendor and ask for them to verify them for you. In this manner, you can buy multiple matching RAM.

 

[Wicked2010]

Anyone have any answers as to how much better dual channel is vs single channel???

 

[ribbon13]

Really depends on the platform. A64s can live without out it for the most part. P4s are gimp without it.

Seriously.. what's your budget? If your a gamer, you'll want it, if your not, why upgrade?

 

[Wicked2010]

Looking at building an AMD system.

Why are P4 systems so reliant on dual channel? Is that because AMD builds the memory controller right onto the CPU itself?

My budget is fairly high... can't really put a dollar value on it... but let's just say fairly high end.

 

[ribbon13]

You have a 'high-end' budget and are worried about an extra $60??? ^^ Priorities man!

 

[Wicked2010]

hehe, no problem I'll go dual channel for sure.

Just was curious how much better dual channel can be compared to
single channel theoretically and in the real world.

 

[Ike0069]

That's exactly why. The on-die memory controller negates some of the gains of dual channel.
Just realize S939 supports dual channel and S754 does not. That's why a S754 3000+ is 2.0 GHz and the S939 3000+ is 1.8 GHz. AMD is saying the dual channel makes up for the added clock speed. But tests show that it really doesn't.

 

[Bar81]

For the P4 Dual Channel is significantly better. For the A64, it is only about 3%, basically if you get a single channel S754 Clawhammer you have a 939 Newcastle. For more specific numbers check out Anand's review on the first S939 A64

 

[Wicked2010]

Thanks everyone!!

Much appreciated!!!

 

[earthsfatez]

What kind of performance would i get with dual channel on a 3000+ barton?