DDR/Dual channel question

[tonyromen]

I'll just cut to the chase. I have this barebones coming in a few days. Now I was going to fill it with parts I have lying around: HD, RAM, CPU....My question is Can I use my one 256MB stick of PC2700 and it be ok? Or does it have to be 2 sticks to take advantage of the 'dual channel-ness". Or do I need a different "dual channel ddr" type of ram. If I do, can I still use the old single channel ram?

Sorry for all the newb questions, I haven't kept up with the up and coming ram types and chipsets!

Thanks in advance!

.:T:.

[sweeper2]

you can use a single stick, but it won' t run in dual mode. Usually you have to have 2 sticks of the same ram... example: ( 2X256 DDR 333= 512), on my mobo I run one stick in DIMM 1 and one stick in DIMM 3 OR i could run one stick in DIMM 2 and one stick in DIMM 3. The #3 DIMM slot is the key to 128-bit duel channel on my particular board.

Your board looks just to have 2 slots, so with 2 sticks of DDR 333 or PC2700 , it looks like it would run in dual mode.
But one stick of DDR 333 is fine to use, just won't be in dual mode...

good luck

[HeadBand]

if you are going to run in dual channel make sure to get IDENTICAL sticks of memory

[tonyromen]

So, there isn't a new "dual-channel DDR" type of ram? It's just the same type used in a different way?

[Ryanoffski]

So, there isn't a new "dual-channel DDR" type of ram? It's just the same type used in a different way?

Exactly - same ram, different way of using it.

[bill1971]

Beware, however,Tony:

I've noticed that some Kingston Value Ram boxes state that they are "not dual channel capable". They have come out recently with paired module "kits" that are Dual channel capable.

Hope this helps.

- Bill

[Xtreeme]

Hmm I ran duel channel Kingston V ram for a year. KVR 256mb. On Asus A7n8x deluxe. Duel ch. mem is just paired mem. Meaning of = spec. ANY mem of = spec's CAN run duel. Its good to match brand aswell but I have seen diff brands even with similar spd chip's run fine also. End point. Dont buy into the marketing BS.

[stiLLmatiC]

YOu can run memory in dual channel, even if its not specified of being a pair module. (meaning you bought them as a pack of 2). You can buy single ram sticks as long as they are teh same speed, and are identical. I mean 2x256 will be the same as if you bought a "paired" pack of 2 256 sticks. If you just bought teh same ram twice. It would be Dual channel capable. Also you have to make sure that your mobo is capable of running memory in dual channel.

Im running a Shuttle AN35[N]-400 ultra with Dual Channel 512 pc3200 (buffalo tech.0 the memory i bought was the exact same. But it was cheaper than buying a set of 2 sticks which came as a "dual" channel pack.. actually more than 20 bucks less. MAke sur eyou ahve teh same ram.

[tonyromen]

I found a good white paper explaining the concepts and rules of Dual Channel Mem. here. .

If you look at my first post, you can see the barebones I got. Well I put it together on Saturday.

Biostar iDeq 200n (nforce2)
Athlon xp 1800
2 sticks of 256mb Pny pc2700 (infineon chips) (don't laugh, I got it dirt cheap! $29 a stick a year ago!)
an old WD 40gig 54k rpm HD
Onboard sound
Onboard graphics (Geforce 4 Mx integrated).

I figure it's a good enough system for what my girlfriend would use it for, and even good enough for me to run some older games on it when i'm over her spot.

My question is:

With my Ram, do I have to "activate" the dual channel functionality, or is it automatically detected and enabled? I've scanned through the bios and can't seem to find anything that would lead me to believe it's enabled there...maybe a jumper on the mobo?

Thanks!

.:T:.

[stiLLmatiC]

To answer your question, if your motherboard has 2 slots specifically designed for dual channel, thats where your memory should be placed. For instance, the dual channel slots in my mobo are slots 2&3. So thats where i put my ram. Check your mobo's manual to see which slots are dual channel, its most likely a different color than the others. (mine are blue)