DDR2 800 at Dual Channel?

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XFs

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I will be building a motherboard with 800 MHz bus.

With DDR2 800 memory, do I even need to make it Dual Channel?
I mean, running 1600 MHz memory on an 800 MHz bus just doesn't make sense?!
 
Hi,

The terms you are using are somewhat conflicted. Dual channel means that the motherboard takes two memory sticks and uses them in a more efficient way (faster processing through the memory channel) if in dual channel. Therefore, it takes at least two sticks for dual channel, and they must be in the proper slots. I don't know what board you have, but a board with 800mhz FSB as a rule uses PC3200 memory. Anything less as a rule with hamper the effectiveness of the board.
 
Tumbleweed36 said:
Hi,

The terms you are using are somewhat conflicted. Dual channel means that the motherboard takes two memory sticks and uses them in a more efficient way (faster processing through the memory channel) if in dual channel. Therefore, it takes at least two sticks for dual channel, and they must be in the proper slots. I don't know what board you have, but a board with 800mhz FSB as a rule uses PC3200 memory. Anything less as a rule with hamper the effectiveness of the board.
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Well, this motherboard is one I am considering.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131589


It says it takes DDR2 800 (PC2 6400).
I'm not sure if that is true or not.
But, if it is ... then running dual channel DDR2 800 on this 800 MHz motherboard ... doesn't make sense. :(
 
Hi,

Here is what you need for memory for that board:

4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support max. 8GB DDR2 800/ 667/ 533 ECC and non-ECC memory


That is one great motherboard. What I suggest that you do is go to the Newegg site (as you have), click on Manufacturer's specifications, then select the QVL list for that motherboard and buy only memory that is on that QVL list. That is the best way to get memory that works for a particular board. Better to be sure than sorry.

You can always run slower memory if listed on the specs, but I didn't see 3200 (would be PC400) on that list. However, I agree with you, run the fastest memory you can in this baby for a real hot unit. Again, if on the QVL list, then do it.
 
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yea 4 makes it run 2t, 25% performance decrease for some apps basically... NOT GOOD! lol
if you want a huge amount of ram i suggest you get 2x2gb, if you want it a little cheaper cause im sure a pair of those would be overpriced, then i suggest you get 2x1gb which is still really really big lol
 
all dual channel means is "shared between TWO". that's the only important thing there, you need two identical sticks to run dual channel. If your mobo supports it, then go dual. Just make sure you buy ram that says "dual channel" in the specs, otherwise, obviously, it won't run dual. If you're not going to overclock though, which im assuming you wont, its not necessary to go ddr2 800. Because the cas latency is way higher (and you wont be changing any of the timings) then you actually might run slower then lower rated ram. Look at ddr2 533 and 667 as a safe bet.
 
fruscai said:
Just make sure you buy ram that says "dual channel" in the specs, otherwise, obviously, it won't run dual.
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It doesnt have to say dual channel capable in order for it to run in dual channel mode. All thats required are two identical sticks of memory.
 
But that's not what the advertisers want you to know, now is it? :P

They want you to buy a RAM Kit which costs a bit more than buying two individual RAM sticks.
 
All thats required are two identical sticks of memory.
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Not even. With that board there is flexable dual channel configurations, all you need to do is match the total memory of each channel. This means you can have a 1GB stick paired with 2 512MB sticks and it will run dual channel.
 
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