Dual Channel

[Pete84]

How many DIMMs can be used in dual channel? Can only two be used or can two sets of dual channel DIMMs? Havent' heard of anyone using the latter or discussing it at all, so I have no idea.

[poiuy223]

to enable dual channel...you have to use at least 2 dimms...

for nforce2 boards, there is a trick to use all 3 slots and still have dual channel...simply have 2 sticks of memory at first so that the system can recognize the dual channel...then power it off and install the last stick...then dual channel will still be there and you can have more memory

for intel systems...install 2 sticks of memory at a time...slots 1/3 or 2/4...to install more memory and still enable dual channel...install 2 more sticks of memory

hope u know that ur board doesnt have it

[golfer49]

On an nForce board, you install say, 2 sticks of 256 Mb, one in each channel, then if you want to add another stick, get a 512 Mb stick of the same memory, then put the two 256 Mb sticks in one channel, and the 512 Mb stick in the other channel, you will then run dual channel with 512 Mb in each.

[zeol]

just the topic i was looking for. What is dual channel and how does it work? do i need special dimms for dual channel?
I have a MOBO dual channel compatible, it´s DFI NFII Ultra-AL, and have one Corsair 256 PC3200 Value select. Can i use another identical dimm to make a dual channel? if i can, what will i get?

[CrucialLabs]

Dual Channel is a process of the motherboard and not the memory. When properly used, the term "dual channel" refers to a DDR motherboards chipset that's designed with two memory channels instead of one. The two channels handle memory-processing more efficiently by utilising the theoretical bandwidth of the two modules, thus reducing system latencies, the timing delays that inherently occur with one memory module. For example, one controller reads and writes data while the second controller prepares for the next access, hence, eliminating the reset and setup delays that occur before one memory module can begin the read/write process all over again. Taken from: http://www.pctechguide.com/03memory.htm.


No, you do not need special DIMMs for dual channel, they need to be the same in everyway though. Same chip count. megabyte, speed, all the attributes need to match.

If you already have a DIMM installed and you want to use it then you need to find a module that has all the same characteristics of the memory you have. Basically best to go back to the company you bought the module from to get another one to use.

[Pete84]

On an nForce board, you install say, 2 sticks of 256 Mb, one in each channel, then if you want to add another stick, get a 512 Mb stick of the same memory, then put the two 256 Mb sticks in one channel, and the 512 Mb stick in the other channel, you will then run dual channel with 512 Mb in each.

NICE!!!
How often does this work? I am most likely going to be buying a DFI NFII Ultra Infinity, and does that trick work on it?