Does dual channel mode work with 4 sticks of RAM?

[Fulano5321]

I've not been in a situation where I can test this myself... But I've yet to find a definite answer if Dual Channel can work with 4 sticks of RAM or not. I'm very familiar with getting it to work with 2 sticks, but people keep asking me if it works with 4 sticks.

I don't want to give the wrong answer when people ask me, and searching on google only brings up threads for specific situations so far with no definite answer on this.

Is it a specific feature some motherboards have? Or is it always a "No, it won't work?" Or does it normally work fine if you've got the right RAM sticks?

 

[jnkweaver]

My understanding is that it works in pairs. So 2 and 4 sticks works but I am not certain either.

 

[little_me]

As far as I know, it should work fine when the sticks are bought as a KIT. (and motherboards claim that dual channel works fine with 4 sticks, they heavily recommend kits though to ensure the sticks are same and work together)

Motheboard usually has two channels (4 slots, 2 of each color) and having 1 or 2 sticks in each channel will not impact it (as long as both channels have same amount of RAM&sticks) 1x8 and 2x4 is not going to work as dual channel all that well.

 

[JeffreyP55]

I believe 2 or 4 sticks of matching DDRx will work in dual channel mode. Install CPU-Z. http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Yes... dual channel works with 2 or 4 but be aware that this puts a greater load on the memory controller. If you have a build w/2 sticks and move to 4, you **may** find that ....

a) You may have to increase DRAM voltage to maintain your CPU OC
b) You may have to drop your OC a bit

For that reason 2 x 8Gb, for example, will always be better than 4 x 4GB

 

[k1114]

DDR channel architecture works with up to 2 sticks per channel meaning dual channel capable components can have up to 4 slots. This is why many mobos will have up to 4 slots and not more. This also means, yes it does work with 4 slots. There is no specific feature as this is a standard spec for ddr ram. This is not mobo or ram dependent and all dual channel mobos/cpus with 4 slots will support it. You can even mix sticks although not recommended and a higher chance for the ram not playing nice together. You really shouldn't be helping people if you don't know the basics.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Not sure what post you are referring to with specific reference to your last sentence, but no ... dual channel does not function in dual channel mode with 1 stick. The system boots fine and works fine, but it does not and can not function in dual channel mode, dual by definition requiring 2 and this results in decreased performance, at least according to THGs testing.

As the OP said, he was quite familiar with getting it to work with 2 sticks, which thereby defines the basis of comparison... two sticks working in dual channel mode. The question was, will he get the same with 4 sticks as he did with 2 and the answer is yes ... both options work the same way. 1 stick does not work the same way.

 

[k1114]

The post is answering the question asked by the op so should have been obvious enough without needing to quote it that it was towards the op and no one else. If he doesn't know even more basic stuff like needing 2 sticks for dual then there's a bigger issue. But I assume he does if he mentions 2 vs 4.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I just wanted to confirm that the question defined by the thread title was working "in dual channel mode" ... not just that the machine would... but I can see how someone with a less than thorough knowledge would wonder about it give all the varying designations. I have been asked by users if they need "quad channel" for example when filling 4 slots. But that's why these forums exist, so those folks can get those answers.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I just wanted to confirm that the question defined by the thread title was working "in dual channel mode" ... not just that the machine would... but I can see how someone with a less than thorough knowledge would wonder about it give all the varying designations. I have been asked by users if they need "quad channel" for example when filling 4 slots. But that's why these forums exist, so those folks can get those answers.

 

[Fulano5321]

Wow, thanks for all the answers. Odd that they never sent me an e-mail saying you commented.

I think you guys have cleared it up.

I mostly just wanted to know if I should caution people against using 4 sticks, as I've never done it myself and after extensive searching on Google I never found anything that specifically said dual channel works with 4 sticks. It made sense that it would work but I don't want to spread misinformation, as I spend a lot of time trying to clear up all the misinformation out there.