Stupid question: quick answer pleasse

[2heaven]

I'm running AMD XP 2200+ on an Abit NF7-s right now. The mb is dual-channel compatible, but I don't think the cpu is. So my 2 sticks of 256mb RAM is NOT running in dual channel correct?

In other words, I can get a stick of 512mb RAM without affecting performance?

 

[imported_Kensai]

Actually, your CPU doesn't affect if it supports dual-channel or not. It's the memory controller. With the Socket A's, the memory controller is on the northbridge. Thus, it does support dual-channel. And dual-channel is essentially twice as fast as single channel of the same speed.

 

[Matthias99]

The CPU has nothing to do with whether or not your motherboard runs in dual-channel mode. Except on platforms where the memory controller is built into the CPU (as with the Athlon64). You're running in dual-channel mode now with that setup.

That said, the performance difference is very small in most situations between single and dual-channel on an AXP. And the NF7-S should be able to run in unbalanced dual-channel anyway, so you won't lose much (if any) performance.

 

[2heaven]

so I am running dual channel, which means that by getting a stick of 512mb ram, I'd be slowing down the speed but increasing the capacity..... hmmm

suggestions?

 

[2heaven]

oh and btw, the current memory and new memory will be of different brand/type

 

[2heaven]

can anyone help? or as Matthias99 said, I should just get it and run the memory in unbalanced dual-channel?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: 2heaven
can anyone help? or as Matthias99 said, I should just get it and run the memory in unbalanced dual-channel?

First off, give people some time to respond to your posts. Bumping it three times in an hour is not helpful, and keeping that up will probably get you a warning from the mods.

If your memory usage is high enough that you're exhausting your physical RAM and hitting the swapfile, 1GB of single-channel (or unbalanced dual channel) will be MUCH faster than 512MB of dual-channel RAM. If you're not hitting your swapfile, then you might lose a little performance compared to your current setup. But then I would have to wonder why you're upgrading at all.

 

[LED]

You'll only see minimal performance increase with DC unless you have an on board graphics card with the NF2 chipset...The Mobo will LYK if you are runninng DC and the RAM has to be put in the proper slots to do so.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: LED
You'll only see minimal performance increase with DC unless you have an on board graphics card with the NF2 chipset...The Mobo will LYK if you are runninng DC and the RAM has to be put in the proper slots to do so.

I have an NF7-S2 which isn't your exact MB but it's closely related. If you have the memory in slots 1 and 2 you are probably NOT running in dual channel. Mine has 3 slots, 2 brown (1 and 2) and one blue (slot 3). One stick has to be in the blue slot to operate in DC. So I guess I could probably run DC with the memory in slots 1 and 3 or 2 and 3 , but I havent tried anything but 1 and 3.

Edited: Cuz I felt like it.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

I think you would need 2 of the same size/performance sticks in slots 1 and 3, or 2 and 3 to use dual channel mode. 3 sticks is not gonna work. You might see an improvement from bringing the total up to 1 GB with 2x256, 1x512, anyway.

With mix and match memory, you will be limited by the worst performing piece out of the whole bunch.
i.e. you can't run different timings, or voltages, on different sticks.