manowar
In Runtime
- Messages
- 191
Hi all,
I've done a lot of research regarding Dual Channel RAM. However, there is a few "grey areas" which I'm a little unsure about.
1. Does RAM have to be Dual Channel certified in order to run in Dual Channel mode? For instance, If I picked up two sticks of PC3200, the same model and speed, but not sold has a matched kit, would there still be a possibility that it would run in dual channel mode?
2. Secondly, my motherboard has four DIMM slots, 2 blue and 2 black (channels A and B). What would happen if I placed two matching kits, but one kit was PC3200 and one kit was PC2700 into the DIMMs? Would I still achieve Dual Channel mode, since the kits are installed on two seperate channels (A and B) or does both channels have to be running exactly the same speeds i.e four sticks of say PC3200?
3. Thirdly, I know the overall goal regarding Dual Channel is to achieve an 128-bit data path from the Memory controller to the RAM - however, if my motherboard has four slots, and I only fill two of them with a matched kit of RAM - am I still achieving 128-bits, or 64-bits? Or would all four DIMMs have to be populated (both channels)? If all four DIMMs are populated (Channels A and B) - then how does that work? Do the two channels run on two seperate 128-bit data paths or is it divided between the two 64x2=128?
Cheers all.
I've done a lot of research regarding Dual Channel RAM. However, there is a few "grey areas" which I'm a little unsure about.
1. Does RAM have to be Dual Channel certified in order to run in Dual Channel mode? For instance, If I picked up two sticks of PC3200, the same model and speed, but not sold has a matched kit, would there still be a possibility that it would run in dual channel mode?
2. Secondly, my motherboard has four DIMM slots, 2 blue and 2 black (channels A and B). What would happen if I placed two matching kits, but one kit was PC3200 and one kit was PC2700 into the DIMMs? Would I still achieve Dual Channel mode, since the kits are installed on two seperate channels (A and B) or does both channels have to be running exactly the same speeds i.e four sticks of say PC3200?
3. Thirdly, I know the overall goal regarding Dual Channel is to achieve an 128-bit data path from the Memory controller to the RAM - however, if my motherboard has four slots, and I only fill two of them with a matched kit of RAM - am I still achieving 128-bits, or 64-bits? Or would all four DIMMs have to be populated (both channels)? If all four DIMMs are populated (Channels A and B) - then how does that work? Do the two channels run on two seperate 128-bit data paths or is it divided between the two 64x2=128?
Cheers all.