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Thread ID: 40023 2003-11-25 20:02:00 Dual Channel RAM somebody (208) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
194604 2003-11-25 20:02:00 Is it possible for me to just use one RAM stick in a motherboard which supports Dual Channel RAM? somebody (208)
194605 2003-11-25 20:07:00 Also, in a Dual Channel RAM system, if I install 2x 512mb sticks, does it register as 1024mb of RAM, or 512mb? somebody (208)
194606 2003-11-25 20:29:00 You can use just one stick if you want.

If you then add another 512MB stick it will register as 1024MB and to get the Dual Channel mode make sure that you have the sticks of RAM in the correct slots on the mainboard. Usually they have different coloured slots and you put each stick into different coloured ones.
CYaBro (73)
194607 2003-11-25 20:40:00 Thanks CYaBro. somebody (208)
194608 2003-11-26 20:18:00 Ok... next question...

If I have a 2.4ghz P4 CPU (533mhz FSB), what would perform better:
2x 256mb PC2700 DDR in Dual Channel Mode (should register as 512mb total)
or
1x 512mb PC2700 DDR in single Channel Mode
somebody (208)
194609 2003-11-26 20:39:00 Also, if the 2x 256mb 333mhz Dual Channel RAM is running at a theoretical 666mhz, then that would exceed the 533mhz FSB on the CPU. Would that cause problems of any sort? somebody (208)
194610 2003-11-26 20:48:00 The Duall Channel Mode will (should) always be better than one module by itself.

Shouldn't be any problem with the RAM theoretically runnning faster than the CPU FSB. But to get the full benefits of Dual Channel Mode it would be better if you could get PC3200 (DDR400) modules and a 800MHz FSB CPU.
CYaBro (73)
194611 2003-11-26 20:51:00 Thanks CYaBro. I won't be running highly memory or CPU intensive programs, so it shouldn't matter too much if performance isn't at the maximum. somebody (208)
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