Dual Channel Question...

[Waco]

I just helped a friend build a new computer, and he is thinking about going to 1 gig of ram. He has 2x256 sticks (one Corsair valueRAM and some mitsubishi ram out of his old Dell) running in dual channel right now...the mitsubishi crap is actually faster than the corsair (cl2.5 vs 3 for the corsair) but they both run 333 ddr dual channel just fine. Question is, can he run 2x256 sticks in the first channel (ddr 1 and 2) and a 512 stick in the second channel (ddr 3) and keep the memory running in dual channel?

 

I have never done it before, but I think it should work as long as the memory in both channels is the same size/speed, right?

[Whitelightning]

The only way you will get the dual channel is to use the 2 dual channel banks, if you add a 3rd stick of ram you will loose the dual channel feature. You would probably be better off using a matched set of the same ram and not mixing them up.

[O(V)eGA_l2el)]

Preferrably same manufacturer and speed.

[Duke Atreides]

And a packaged matched pair if possible.

[MindDrive]

 

yeah - the only way to fully truely benefit the dual channel memory function is by using ram that is the exact same speed, manufacturer, and has been selected BY THE MANUFACTURER to be pretty much identical sets of ram -

 

when they select ram for "matched dual channel" what they do is run the ram through a series of tests and benchmarks and through various ram settings and find ram that is closes to being exactly the same and group them together as a kit

 

i would suggest if you are going with matched ram, corsair, hyperX, geil, or if you are trying to save money- ultra

 

here are some selections for ya to choose from :

 

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Ca....asp?CatId=1075

[ciddono]

can he run 2x256 sticks in the first channel (ddr 1 and 2) and a 512 stick in the second channel (ddr 3) and keep the memory running in dual channel?

 

I have never done it before, but I think it should work as long as the memory in both channels is the same size/speed, right? 

This was debated last year. According to mobo's documentation, your statement would be correct, that should run dual channel. But the speeds would be set by the slowest module. If he's not looking for "exceptional" or "extreme" performance, just add a 512 stick to have a gig, dual channel or not.

[Waco]

According to mobo's documentation, your statement would be correct, that should run dual channel. But the speeds would be set by the slowest module. If he's not looking for "exceptional" or "extreme" performance, just add a 512 stick to have a gig, dual channel or not.

He just wants to have a gig of memory...but right now the only thing holding his computer back is the memory speed.

 

So far this is what he has:

 

Mobile 2600+ @ 2.5 ghz w/ Silent Boost

512 mb of pc2700 in dual channel 3-3-3-11

9800pro @ 444/367

dual 80 gig sata drives in a RAID 0 solution

DFI Ultra Infinity

 

 

I may be able to convince him to do a matched pair of Geil Ultra Platinum pc3500 512 mb kit, as I have had great success with mine (specs in sig @ 436 mhz, 2.9 vdimm).

 

But I understand that having equal amounts of memory in each bank WILL run dual channel? The slowest module is going to be the corsair valueram he just bought, which runs ddr333 @ 3-3-3-11. He would probably go with a 512 mb stick of corsair valueram if he got more.

 

That will work, correct?

[MindDrive]

whoa 3-3-3-11 o_0 !!!??????!!!!! the max my mobo will go upto is 4-4-8-6 wow

[BabyBalrog]

I believe the newest intel boards that will eb comeing out soon are using somethign called "flex" RAM somebody correct me on that name, and its designed to do exactly this, run 2x256 and 1 512 as a dual channel bus. Current systems arn't advertised as opperatign that way, but then again we went through this last year/

[XvMMMvX]

Just an FYI, the "matched pair packages" are a rip off, all it means is that they were put in a mobo and posted together.