To Dual or not to Dual, that is the question...

724 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by 29062012, Sep 7, 2005

29062012

Discussion Starter · Sep 5, 2005

Hey there, friendly tech support guys! :smile: My system is currently housing two 512 sticks of PC3200 RAM (typical, I know). I know that they are running in dual-channel, because they are specifically said to support it, and because my ASRock motherboard supports it. One of the nice features of my mobo is that is has four memory slots (w/ support for two sets of dc memory). Now to the question: If I buy one 512 stick of PC3200 RAM and put it in, then, in a few months, buy exactly the same stick of RAM again and install that beside it, will they run in dual-channel? Or do I have to buy a 'kit' that specifically mentions that it supports dc? In other words, will buying two identical pieces of RAM and putting them in a dc-supporting mobo (even if they don't specify rather they are dual-channel or not) always result in correct dc operation? Thanks in advance!

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Volt-Schwibe

· #2 · Sep 5, 2005

there is a good chance that they will work just fine.

however, the store might receive a new batch in the time between, and that batch may or may not be workable together with the older one.

it is best to buy them as a set, but many times, as long as they are same brand/model/ratings, it works anyhow.

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29062012

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 5, 2005

Hmmm... well, thanks. I suppose that if my chances are pretty good, then I'll go ahead and buy a decent Kingston PC3200 512 stick, then buy another similar one in a few months when I can afford it. Thanks for the fast response!

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crazijoe

· #4 · Sep 6, 2005

MatrixHead said:
Hmmm... well, thanks. I suppose that if my chances are pretty good, then I'll go ahead and buy a decent Kingston PC3200 512 stick, then buy another similar one in a few months when I can afford it.

My opinion is your chances are not good. Memory has a very high turnover rate. I have seen companies get memory from several vendors at once. Including Kingston. I wouldn't take that chance.

MatrixHead said:
If I buy one 512 stick of PC3200 RAM and put it in, then, in a few months, buy exactly the same stick of RAM again and install that beside it, will they run in dual-channel?

This will probably not work the way you want it to. If you install the third stick of memory, The MB will switch to single channel mode. This will reduce the performance of your system. If later down the road you purchase the forth stick, if it is not an excact twin of the third stick, the system will stay in single channel mode since you have different types of memory.

Save your money and buy the kit when you can afford it.

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linderman

· #5 · Sep 6, 2005

Crazi Joe has my vote too! very sound advice

I would personally stick with Crucuial , Corsair or OCZ and make sure you use their website memory compatability selector / they guarantee if you run the models they sell you that your system will run in dual channel mode !!! thats not so easy any more / the reason why memory changes so much is the vendor they buy the memory chips (attached to side of memory stick) from changes as they shop for large bult lots !!

so as Joe has told you / buy a matched pair when you can afford it / find a model number using the websites above . then search for that model on ebay

I am no Kingston lover by a longshot / so good luck to you if you go that route!

regards

joe

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29062012

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 7, 2005

Thank you VERY much, guys, for answering my questions in such detail! You all have great advice about waiting to buy a guaranteed set. I think that I'll go ahead and save another 60-70 dollars, then I'll do just what linderman recommends--buy a guaranteed dual-channel kit from Crucial, Corsair, or OCZ. Thanks for telling me that Kingston isn't that great after all... I had no idea. :4-dontkno

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