3GB of Dual Channel Memory?

[Jonn]

Given that the 32-bit versions of Windows XP/Vista can't address more than 3.5GB of memory, I would like to install 3GB in my system. I currently have one 1GB DDR2-667 module.

I am looking at a Mushkin 2x1GB DDR2-800 dual channel kit. I can also buy a single Mushkin 1GB DDR2-800 module. However, the single module is obviously not dual channel. My question is, with all three of these modules installed (slots 1 and 2 occupied by the dual channel kit and slot 3 with the single 800MHz module), will at leas the first 2GB run in dual channel, or will the whole setup revert to single channel since there are only 3 modules? Would I be better off, from a performance point of view, two buy two of the 2x1GB dual channel kits?

Thanks.

(As a matter of curiosity - what would happen if I installed the DDR2-800 dual channel kit in slots 1 and 2 and the single existing 1GB DDR2-667 module in slot 3? I assume that all of the memory would then run at single channel 667. Or would the first 2 GB's run as advertised??)

 

[ZozZoz]

1. The speed will drop to 667 in sync with the slowest module.

2. There is a technology, implemented in modern motherboards, that allows 2 sticks to run in dual channel mode and 1 stick in single channel. Moreover. If you were to put in 2 modules of different capacity (512 and 1024 for example) exactly 512 from each would be mapped in dual channel , while the stray 512 would run on their own.

 

[XMSYellowbeard]

As cheap as memory is, and depending on which MOBO you have, the best idea would be to buy a 2 x 2gb kit. Or, 2 kits of 2 x 1gb would be the second best solution.

 

[aevm]

As cheap as memory is, and depending on which MOBO you have, the best idea would be to buy a 2 x 2gb kit. Or, 2 kits of 2 x 1gb would be the second best solution.

^^Agreed. I've got 2x2 GB and I intend to upgrade to 8 GB later, when I also upgrade to Vista. For now I see 3.25 GB under XP 32-bit and it's fine. If your video card is not an 8800GTX you will probably see 3.5 GB.

 

[soloman02]

You could also buy the 2x1GB kit and get a 2x512MB kit so that all 3GB runs in dual channel mode. You could also go with the 2x2GB. Personally, I'd recommend going with the 2x2GB kit.

 

[openchut82]

(As a matter of curiosity - what would happen if I installed the DDR2-800 dual channel kit in slots 1 and 2 and the single existing 1GB DDR2-667 module in slot 3? I assume that all of the memory would then run at single channel 667. Or would the first 2 GB's run as advertised??)

One or three sticks will run in single channel, two or four sticks will run dual channel. I would sell the 1GB stick you have now, then purchase a 2 x 2gb DDR800 kit. You might not need all 4gb now, but you might later.