Why is my Mobo running in single channel memory

[Shenlon]

I built this computer for my gf a couple years ago and shortly after she started complaining about it being slow. I figured it was just because of al the crap she had on there and never really investigated too far. Now I am looking at it more closely and I have run all the spyware/malware removal tools and the computer is still incredibly slow when trying to do pretty much anything. I ran a diagnostic and found out that the motherboard is only using the memory in single channel mode instead of dual channel mode, is this the source of the slowdown? If so, how do I get it to run in dual channel?

The memory is PC3200 OCZ 2x256MB Dual Channel memory.

The motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-81865 GVMK motherboard.

 

[blurredvision]

Motherboard Mainpage

Are your RAM sticks placed in the same color slots? Check to see that both sticks are placed in the orange slots, not right next to each other in differing colors.

 

[pkme2]

:thumbsup:
Darn, beat me to it.

 

[Shenlon]

I've tried it all, in two orange slots, in two purple slots, in ones next to each other...nothin.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Shenlon
I've tried it all, in two orange slots, in two purple slots, in ones next to each other...nothin.

Have you checked for any BIOS settings that will allow you to specify which to run in?

EDIT: Just glanced over the motherboard pdf manual, and didn't see any settings to change this. This would end my troubleshooting knowledge. Good luck!!

 

[dev0lution]

Is the second module showing up? It might feel like it's seated in the slot, but if it's slightly loose it might be only seeing one module ~ hence the single channel mode. Sorry to state the obvious...

 

[I4AT]

Honestly, the fact that the ram isn't running in dual channel isn't going to be the source of a slowdown. What are the rest of the system specs? How many programs are run at startup, and how much free ram is typically available?

 

[DLM]

Honestly, the fact that the ram isn't running in dual channel isn't going to be the source of a slowdown. What are the rest of the system specs? How many programs are run at startup, and how much free ram is typically available?

I agree with I4AT. Running your ram in the dual channel mode was never rated as a big performance increase, hence you shouldn't see much of a performance lose if it isn't working. I'd look into the amount of progs running at start-up and in the backgraund as possible causes for the slow performace.

 

[Seekermeister]

Whether the dual channel is the cause of the slowdown problem or not, it certainly isn't helping. The only time that i have had a problem such as that, is when I had mismatched sticks of ram installed. I installed new ram and it has been dual channel ever since.

 

[Blain]

LoL

 

[pkrush]

Check that the hard drives aren't running in PIO mode, Windows often drops the transfer speed for no apparent reason.