Dual channel memory

[joker_927]

Im building a new comp with a Epox (oh crap) something Nforce2 boards, and a 2400+. All water-cooled.

I found that that a lot of the NF2 boards have dual channel memory support. First, can someone explain this to me in 3rd grade terms?

Also, I see that corsair sells this "TwinX" stuff. Is that special in some way?

I noticed on Newegg that a 256MB cosair stick is $64. Two of these would $132. A Corsair "Twinx" pack is $132. Should there be a deal if I buy two? Just a thought.

[muno]

Here's a review of the corsair
http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/corsair/

As I understand it, dual channel memory means the memory will run dual channel. That requires two 'identical' memory modules.
If you have, say, one 512MB stick, it will run in single channel mode. But if you have 2x256MB sticks, it will run dual channel.

//edit: 3rd grade->The memory performs faster

Provided, your mobo does this.

//edit: You said it does
-M

[Urban_Squrill]

Dual channel is like kinda muti cpus but ram. I have herd there is better muti-tasking and not a whole lot of preformance. But I would go dual channel(its cooler). I am going dual channel soon. For like 200 bucks you can get 1gb(2x512)pc3200.

[win2kuser]

muno basically says it all.

Dual channel or dual pipeline will increase the ram bandwidth available to the cpu. I don't think its fair to say that it doubles the performance (cus mine doesn't), but it is definately faster.

I don't know about the twinX packs, maybe they are just sold like that so as you know the two will be the same.

[beppodmime]

All dual channel basically means, is in the northbridge chipset of the nForce2, for example, there are two memory controllers that can work independantly in order to increase the memory subsystem's performance. Although this does not necessarily equate to a 100%, even 50% increase in overall memory performance, due to the Athlon XP's limited capability to utilize the additional bandwidth, it does indeed offer performance gains. It currently outperforms all of the other AMD Socket A chipsets in most, if not all, performance categories. Basically, each memory controller is assigned to the different banks of memory, which correspond to the slots on the board. You stick a pile o memory in the slot corresponding to one channel, and another in one of the two corresponding to the second, and voila, the board starts controlling the memory in dual-channel mode.

As for the question on the technical worth of "Twin" memory kits, their significance versus separately packaged RAM is arguable. The "twin" memory packages sold by many manufacturers are certified for dual channel use, although I know plenty of people who have run singly packaged modules with absolutely no problems. I am currently running a 1 GB set of Corsair PC3200 TwinX, and have not experienced any real issues with it. It does as advertised, as I have the mobo set to 200 MHz FSB sync with it. Beyond that, I haven't really tested. But, chances are you'd be saving on shipping if you purchased the two that are packaged together, so why not if they don't cost anymore than two separate modules?

Intel has their own dual-channel chipsets as well, which basically do the same thing as the nForce2 chipset.

[Ultima]

I have found out 1st hand, when someone else indicated it, when yer running yer cpu fsb and memory synchronyzed, you will not see an increase in bandwidth, at least not with the XP's.

P4 is another ordeal, but XOP's are limited in bandwidth.

I've been struggling with my A7N8X, running my XP1800 on 400Mhz fsb and 400Mhz ddr.
I wondered why my score in single channel was as high as it was in dualchannel.

Till someone told me that I was already using the max bandwidth available to me, and then I thought, damnit, he is right, how could I have overlooked that.

The only time that dual channel on nForce2 will do something for you, is when your cpu fsb is running faster then the fsb of your memory, for example, you have an XP2600+ with 333Mhz fsb, but you run yer memory at PC2100, being DDR266.

Then the dual channel will make a difference, filling up a part of that gap, because yer cpu can make use of it.

[LUKE THE GREAT]

Well If i want to use Dual channel memory. Does the memory have to be made by the same company? or can i have a PNY 256 PC2100 and a 256 Ultra PC2100?

[woodbutcher]

joker_927
Corsair 1GB PC3200 2x64x64 (2x512MB) DDR 184Pin
Double Data Rate PC 3200 Memory
Model #VS1GBKIT400
$129.99 After $20.00 Rebate Mail-In Rebate
Outpost #: 3895597
Linky
Not bad for a gig of Corsair RAM

WB

[elroy]

I recently read a review of dual channel performance and it said to expect a 3-5% difference between dual and single channel. Barely worth spending extra money on and very little chance you'll "see" any difference. Also consider if you buy two 256mb pieces now where will you be when you want to upgrade on down the road. You would be better off buying a single 512mb now and have room to upgrade later.

[Xtreeme]

elroy
Thats the method I went with. I had duel mem 256mb ddr333 x2. A buddy wanted my mem. So I sold it to him at a good price and got ONE stick of 512mb samsung ddr400. Mem score increased since this has better timings. LOL.

Ultima-
heh. I was that somone. Surprised you remembered that discusion from way back.