Question about Dual Channel RAM.

Rayder · Jul 13, 2004, 09:35 AM

Does memory that professes to be "Dual Channel" HAVE to be run in dual channel mode to work?

Will memory that is NOT labled "Dual Channel" be able to go into dual channel mode. (assuming there is two identical sticks of it)

Here's the deal. My motherboard (listed in sig) needs to be upgraded to 1 gig of RAM, but it does NOT support dual channel mode. At NewEgg, I see 512meg dual packs of RAM to get 1gig, some say they are Dual Channel, others don't. Can I run memory listed as "Dual Channel" in it or should I just buy 2 normal 512 sticks to put in it?

Part two......My bro's PC (NF7-S rev2) currently has dual channel memory in it, but if he wants to change to a VIA chipset motherboard, will that dual channel RAM be useless in a board that doesn't support dual channel?

We just don't want to create a problem for ourselves by getting the wrong RAM for the wrong purposes, and also so we can plan our upgrade paths.

So.....how does that all work? Will DC-listed RAM work either way? What about non-DC-listed RAM?

I know, it sounds kinda

but I need to know this before upgrading my RAM and my bro needs to know this before the possible changing of motherboards.

We don't overclock, we just want the best stability.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Jul 13, 2004, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rayder
Does memory that professes to be "Dual Channel" HAVE to be run in dual channel mode to work?

No alot of duel channel kits clam to have otumized spd's but thier useally the same as the stand alone chips

Quote:

Will memory that is NOT labled "Dual Channel" be able to go into dual channel mode. (assuming there is two identical sticks of it)

yea don't even have to be identical chips... all duel chanel is it allows the two banks to be acesses seprately offering a small boost

Quote:

Here's the deal. My motherboard (listed in sig) needs to be upgraded to 1 gig of RAM, but it does NOT support dual channel mode. At NewEgg, I see 512meg dual packs of RAM to get 1gig, some say they are Dual Channel, others don't. Can I run memory listed as "Dual Channel" in it or should I just buy 2 normal 512 sticks to put in it?

Just worry about buying good ram

Quote:

Part two......My bro's PC (NF7-S rev2) currently has dual channel memory in it, but if he wants to change to a VIA chipset motherboard, will that dual channel RAM be useless in a board that doesn't support dual channel?

You don't understand the duel channel support is a motherboard feature has nothing to do wit the ram it self.

"Duel channel kit" is a marketing ploy name 99% of the time just means thier geing you two sticks insted of 1 large stick

Quote:

We just don't want to create a problem for ourselves by getting the wrong RAM for the wrong purposes, and also so we can plan our upgrade paths.

Should be fine with what you have doesn't matter too much...

Quote:

So.....how does that all work? Will DC-listed RAM work either way? What about non-DC-listed RAM?

It's the exact same ram

Quote:

I know, it sounds kinda

but I need to know this before upgrading my RAM and my bro needs to know this before the possible changing of motherboards.

We don't overclock, we just want the best stability.

If ok hopefull it's clear now

dipstick · Jul 13, 2004, 10:19 AM

heh, I think Neon covered that nicely

Rayder · Jul 13, 2004, 10:20 AM

I kinda thought so, but my bro thought different, which gave me doubts. Thanks for clearing it up for us.

No_Style · Jul 13, 2004, 10:56 AM

Dual Channel Kits are some what marketing.. They are some times cheaper than buying 2 seperate sticks of the same kind. Shop around.

Even though you don't OC...

Some dual channel kits have sticks that are paired so they OC to relatively the same level and not having one OC several mHz more but is then held back because the other cannot reach it.

Vampyromaniac · Jul 13, 2004, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rayder
Does memory that professes to be "Dual Channel" HAVE to be run in dual channel mode to work?

Will memory that is NOT labled "Dual Channel" be able to go into dual channel mode. (assuming there is two identical sticks of it)

No.

Yes.

Jul 13, 2004, 09:35 AM	#1
Rayder Mostly lurking lately.... Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 2,037 Rep Power: 51	Question about Dual Channel RAM. Does memory that professes to be "Dual Channel" HAVE to be run in dual channel mode to work? Will memory that is NOT labled "Dual Channel" be able to go into dual channel mode. (assuming there is two identical sticks of it) Here's the deal. My motherboard (listed in sig) needs to be upgraded to 1 gig of RAM, but it does NOT support dual channel mode. At NewEgg, I see 512meg dual packs of RAM to get 1gig, some say they are Dual Channel, others don't. Can I run memory listed as "Dual Channel" in it or should I just buy 2 normal 512 sticks to put in it? Part two......My bro's PC (NF7-S rev2) currently has dual channel memory in it, but if he wants to change to a VIA chipset motherboard, will that dual channel RAM be useless in a board that doesn't support dual channel? We just don't want to create a problem for ourselves by getting the wrong RAM for the wrong purposes, and also so we can plan our upgrade paths. So.....how does that all work? Will DC-listed RAM work either way? What about non-DC-listed RAM? I know, it sounds kinda but I need to know this before upgrading my RAM and my bro needs to know this before the possible changing of motherboards. We don't overclock, we just want the best stability. __________________

Jul 13, 2004, 10:20 AM	#4
Rayder Mostly lurking lately.... Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 2,037 Rep Power: 51	I kinda thought so, but my bro thought different, which gave me doubts. Thanks for clearing it up for us. __________________

Jul 13, 2004, 10:56 AM	#5
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,049 Rep Power: 0	Although.. Dual Channel Kits are some what marketing.. They are some times cheaper than buying 2 seperate sticks of the same kind. Shop around. Even though you don't OC... Some dual channel kits have sticks that are paired so they OC to relatively the same level and not having one OC several mHz more but is then held back because the other cannot reach it. __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Jul 13, 2004, 10:19 AM	#3
dipstick DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,562 Rep Power: 53 System Specs	heh, I think Neon covered that nicely