Question about RAM

[bhath19]

Can someone explain to me what Dual Channel RAM is?

[bill1971]

Since I'm still up, I'll go out on a limb here, b:

I believe the Dual Channel function is designed to double the bandwidth of the memory bus, and make overall data transfer that much faster.

According to the Crucial website, it's not the RAM that is Dual Channel, but the memory controller setup, etc. on the motherboard.

That being said, I have noticed that certain mfrs,(e.g., Kingston), have started putting warnings on their Value Ram series stating that the sticks are "not Dual Channel capable."

So the motherboard must support Dual Channel, and some RAM vendors, such as Corsair, Geil, and OCZ are advertising certain sticks as "Dual Channel capable." I should note here that such sticks must be installed in pairs for Dual Channel to work.

I'm getting ready to install my first dual channel MB, so I can't attest as to the performance increase yet.

Hope this helps a little. . .

- Bill

[Chiguy]

Think of it as the cpu now having 2 roads to memory instead of 1.

[muno]

http://www.techimo.com/forum/showthr... annel+memory

[Hungrycookpot]

Yeah it just doubles the rate at which its possible to transfer stuff thru ur ram, but as for performance increase, i cant really notice it, maybe its just my setup, but unless you've got some extra cash or need to compulsively tweak every last bit of performance out of your machine, i dont really see how dual channel optimized ram or upgraded boards to support dual channel are all that wise a decision, as ive seen and heard that it only makes a difference of around 5%