? on Dual Channel memory vs single on my A7N8X deluxe

[rcoplien]

I currently have 2 sticks on 256mb DDR PC 2100 installed on my board and to get dual channel I read that you have to put 1 stick in slot 1 and 1 in slot 3. Now I will be upgrading to 1 stick of 512 mb DDR PC 2700 to put in slot 1 and I can get a stick of 256DDR PC 2700 ram for a good price. My question is can I still have dual channel support by putting a 512 stick in slot 1 and putting a 256 stick in slot 3? Or does both need to be the same size? Also what kind of improvement am I suppose to see from single channel to dual channel?
Sorry for all the questions I just needed to know thanks. Rick

[dr_roberts49]

I think, and please someone correct me if I'm wrong, that the sticks must match in speed and capacity in order for dual mode to work correctly.

Robert

[tgxiii]

They both need to be the same size and speed.

256MB PC2100 + 256MB PC2100 will work.

256MB PC2100 + 256MB PC2700 WON'T work.
256MB PC2700 + 512MB PC2700 WON'T work.

This is true for all dual-channel chipsets EXCEPT for the new SiS one (I forgot what it's called). With the new SiS, you can mix and match and it will adjust to an optimal setting for you.

[agathodaimon]

Don't mean to stray off topic here, but are those SiS chipsets any good?

I mean, are they comparable to KT600's or Nforce2's?

[Ultima]

dual channel on AMD boards is only worth it when running fsb/cpu fsb async.

If you run yer cpu at 266fsb as well as the memory, you will not see a difference.

When ya run the cpu at 333fsb and the memory at 266, then the dual channel will kick in to fill a bit of the gap.

[agathodaimon]

What about different brands or Cas Latency, etc.?
Would a stick of Samsung & Crucial work in Dual Channel if they're both the same size and speed?

[tgxiii]

Found the link!

http://www.myworldhardware.com/v3/review.asp?ID=71

It's an Intel-based chipset, though, not AMD....
I wouldn't know personally whether it's good or not, but from the article above it looks quite impressive. It's compared to a Springdale chipset so compared to KT600 and nForce2 I don't know.