pokethesmot
New Member
ok so if i have 3 sticks running on dual channel and if i throw in a fourth stick thats not like the rest will it mess with the others that are dual channeled
dual channel
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fade2green514
Active Member
you need two sticks or four sticks to run dual channel, 3 sticks won't run dual channel.
it's suggested that you get the same type of memory when adding more.
it's suggested that you get the same type of memory when adding more.
Actually, depending on your memory controller, it will. In theory, as long as the size in each channel matches then any controller should be able to run dual channel. I can't speak for AMD processors but all 945 and newer Intel chipsets can run assymetric dual channel with any 2 RAM sticks, same size or not. Granted, it's not as good as 2 same size sticks but it's better than nothing I suppose.
Flex mode is what you want to look for in Intel's newer chipsets. Their asymmetric dual channel works like single, so that is worth nothing.
But 3 sticks doesn't need to mean asymmetric. For example 1GB+512+512 gives 1GB in each channel, and will give you symmetric dual channel (depending on the system).
But 3 sticks doesn't need to mean asymmetric. For example 1GB+512+512 gives 1GB in each channel, and will give you symmetric dual channel (depending on the system).
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At one time on the older Socket A and PIII-P4 Intel boards if all slots were populated on the older 3gb capacity boards that would force the single channel mode. Since that time the memory is now totaled separately for each channel.
If you are mixing sizes Cromewell is on the mark with his recommendation there of seeing a 512 out of a pair installed as the second dimm on each channel to see 1.5gb unless the fourth dimm is another 512. That would end up seeing 1.5 on one and 1gb on the other offsetting things.
Installing matched pairs of the same type, size, and speed is the actual ideal. If you are simply buying a 4th 512mb dimm you would be better off simply going with a pair of 1gb dimms unless matching up three 512s already in.
If you are mixing sizes Cromewell is on the mark with his recommendation there of seeing a 512 out of a pair installed as the second dimm on each channel to see 1.5gb unless the fourth dimm is another 512. That would end up seeing 1.5 on one and 1gb on the other offsetting things.
Installing matched pairs of the same type, size, and speed is the actual ideal. If you are simply buying a 4th 512mb dimm you would be better off simply going with a pair of 1gb dimms unless matching up three 512s already in.
When installing let's say a 1gb and a 512 on the A channel 1.5gb is the collective total for the primary channel. That happens when you have the exact same seen on B so that the conditions for the dual channel mode are met for many boards.
While that was a condition on many older model boards newer models will simply allow you to add a third 1gb dimm when wanting more on a Vista machine. The 3rd 1gb dimm is best as the second on the A or primary channel.
You still see the board run in dual channel despite the unequal amount. But that is also a result of 3 matching dimms not when mixing sizes. The question now for pokethesmot is what are the sizes of the current dimms and the fourth to be added?
While that was a condition on many older model boards newer models will simply allow you to add a third 1gb dimm when wanting more on a Vista machine. The 3rd 1gb dimm is best as the second on the A or primary channel.
You still see the board run in dual channel despite the unequal amount. But that is also a result of 3 matching dimms not when mixing sizes. The question now for pokethesmot is what are the sizes of the current dimms and the fourth to be added?