Dual Channel Memory Qusestion

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Middleman

Hi, I have an Asus A7N8X Deluxe MB with 3 DIMM slots.

The manual says I scan use all three slots in dual channel mode. Huh?

What confuses me is the term "dual channel." With three DIMMs??? Logically
one would think this would be called tri-channel.

Forgive my lack of knowledge on this subject. But I want to upgrade the
memory for this motherboard, and I need to know how many DIMMs to buy for
"dual channel" operation. Seeing as they are sold in pairs, and even called
"dual channel" DDR and the manual says I can use three DIMMs for dual
channel operation, I'm getting really confused.

So, should I buy 2 or 3 Dual Channel DIMMs?

Thanks,

J. Middleman




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Middleman said:
So, should I buy 2 or 3 Dual Channel DIMMs?
Click to expand...

You only need 2 DIMMs for dual channel operation. One in the slot that is
seperated from the others and one in either of the other two.

You CAN run three DIMMs and still get dual channel operation. For example,
1 512M and 2 256M. But there is no real advantage to doing so.

--
"Outback" Jon Gould | Let those who RIDE,
2003 Kawasaki Concours (wreck)|
1976 Honda CB750F (needs work)| DECIDE.
1972 Yamaha DS7 (project) |
(e-mail address removed) | HELMET LAWS SUCK
CQ CQ CQ de KC2BNE |
______________________________|____________________________
AMD XP 2400+ @ 2180 MHz 768M PC2100 DDR @ 290 MHz
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe 120GB and 40GB Maxtor HD
Asus GeForceFX 5600 (330/650) Cornerstone 21" Monitor
Sony 52x40x52 CDRW NEC MultiSync 17" Monitor
Sony 8X DVD+-RW Nostromo n50 Speedpad
http://folding.stanford.edu - got folding? Team 33432
 
Outback Jon said:
You only need 2 DIMMs for dual channel operation. One in the slot that is
seperated from the others and one in either of the other two.

You CAN run three DIMMs and still get dual channel operation. For example,
1 512M and 2 256M. But there is no real advantage to doing so.

--
"Outback" Jon Gould | Let those who RIDE,
2003 Kawasaki Concours (wreck)|
1976 Honda CB750F (needs work)| DECIDE.
1972 Yamaha DS7 (project) |
(e-mail address removed) | HELMET LAWS SUCK
CQ CQ CQ de KC2BNE |
______________________________|____________________________
AMD XP 2400+ @ 2180 MHz 768M PC2100 DDR @ 290 MHz
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe 120GB and 40GB Maxtor HD
Asus GeForceFX 5600 (330/650) Cornerstone 21" Monitor
Sony 52x40x52 CDRW NEC MultiSync 17" Monitor
Sony 8X DVD+-RW Nostromo n50 Speedpad
http://folding.stanford.edu - got folding? Team 33432
Click to expand...

One advantage is that you can buy 2ea. 256meg and run those
as dual channel, until the price comes down on the 512meg sticks.
Then put the 2 256 sticks in one channel and a 512 in the other for
1Gig total dual channel. Which I did, but it took the 1011 BIOS to
make it work on my A7N8X-E Deluxe.

OT: What do you think of the idea of having a PTO on a bike
to power an ultralight plane? You could clamp the bike to the
frame and connect the PTO then fly away. When you got near
your destination you could land and unclamp the bike and ride
the rest of the way. (or to a gas station)

Luck;
Ken
 
Middleman said:
Hi, I have an Asus A7N8X Deluxe MB with 3 DIMM slots.

The manual says I scan use all three slots in dual channel mode. Huh?

What confuses me is the term "dual channel." With three DIMMs??? Logically
one would think this would be called tri-channel.

Forgive my lack of knowledge on this subject. But I want to upgrade the
memory for this motherboard, and I need to know how many DIMMs to buy for
"dual channel" operation. Seeing as they are sold in pairs, and even called
"dual channel" DDR and the manual says I can use three DIMMs for dual
channel operation, I'm getting really confused.

So, should I buy 2 or 3 Dual Channel DIMMs?

Thanks,

J. Middleman
Click to expand...

I think you are confusing channels and slots.

Slots 1 & 2 = Channel 1
Slot 3 = Channel 2

I have 1 Gb of RAM using 3 DIMMs for dual channel operation as under :

Slots 1 & 2 = 2 x 256Mb
Slot 3 = 1 x 512Mb
 
Doug Ramage said:
Slots 1 & 2 = Channel 1
Slot 3 = Channel 2
Click to expand...

Ahh... This makes more sense. Okay, now I have another question. Why are
some DIMMs being sold as pairs? Are they "matched?" Would I be better off to
buy these rather than just individual DIMMs for dual channel operation?
Also, why is there such a big price difference in the same size memory
between brands? Would I be that much better spending almost twice as much
for these other brands???

Thanks again...

J. Middleman



Posted Via Binaries.Net Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
 
IMO, there is no need to pay a premium for so called matched memory. So long
as the sticks are the same speed and from the same manufacturer, that should
be fine.

I have 3 pairs of PC3200 RAM, none were bought as "matched", but each pair
is the same brand and speed. I have had no problems, and all run in dual
channel mode.

However, ultra performance often relies on tight RAM timings for its extra
performance, and matching could be more important.
--
Doug Ramage



Middleman said:
Ahh... This makes more sense. Okay, now I have another question. Why are
some DIMMs being sold as pairs? Are they "matched?" Would I be better off to
buy these rather than just individual DIMMs for dual channel operation?
Also, why is there such a big price difference in the same size memory
between brands? Would I be that much better spending almost twice as much
for these other brands???

Thanks again...

J. Middleman



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I appreciate your advice, thanks...

J.Middleman



Posted Via Binaries.Net Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
 
Middleman said:
Ahh... This makes more sense. Okay, now I have another question. Why are
some DIMMs being sold as pairs? Are they "matched?"
Click to expand...

Yeah, but they don't need to be matched to run dual channel. They can be a
different size, different number of chips, different manufactuer, different
rated speed etc.

As long as all DIMMs can run atthe speed you set them to, dual channel will
work.
Would I be better off to
buy these rather than just individual DIMMs for dual channel operation?
Click to expand...

Nope. Unless they're cheaper...
Also, why is there such a big price difference in the same size memory
between brands? Would I be that much better spending almost twice as much
for these other brands???
Click to expand...

Timings.

You can run the ram at higher frequencies and/or with tighter timings -
thats what you pay the money for.

Ben
 
Yeah, but they don't need to be matched to run dual channel. They can be a
different size, different number of chips, different manufactuer, different
rated speed etc.

As long as all DIMMs can run atthe speed you set them to, dual channel will
work.
Click to expand...

lol
recipe for a train wreck...
 
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