Question DUAL channel vs single channel RAM

[Allen_22]

I need some help here. Let's say i have 2 sticks, each of them 16 GB and one stick that is 12 GB. Is this considered dual or single channel?
Or will the motherboard not load?

 

[PC Tailor]

Dual channel is more down to how the motherboard and CPU manages that RAM.
Basically you need a Motherboard that has dual channel architecture.

When you refer to a motherboard manual, you will see that when you have (for example) 4 RAM slots, they will be split between Channel A and Channel B.
When you put 2 sticks into channel A that compliment each other, it will run in Dual Channel - I.e. double the road space for the same amount of traffic. So when 2 modules are placed into matching banks, it will run in dual channel.

IF however you are referring to mixing modules, then it's only a 50/50 gamble that they will work at all.

 

[Allen_22]

Dual channel is more down to how the motherboard and CPU manages that RAM.
Basically you need a Motherboard that has dual channel architecture.

When you refer to a motherboard manual, you will see that when you have (for example) 4 RAM slots, they will be split between Channel A and Channel B.
When you put 2 sticks into channel A that compliment each other, it will run in Dual Channel - I.e. double the road space for the same amount of traffic. So when 2 modules are placed into matching banks, it will run in dual channel.

IF however you are referring to mixing modules, then it's only a 50/50 gamble that they will work at all.

But the only thing that matters for dual channel is the ram size, right? Not the brand or speed.

 

[PC Tailor]

But the only thing that matters for dual channel is the ram size, right? Not the brand or speed.

No, the size, brand, or speed doesn't make any difference, just those affect compatibility and conflicts.
Using RAM of different sizes, speeds, brands increases the likelihood of conflict. Even using the exact same model but from different physical packs increases conflict risk.

There is no such thing as Dual Channel RAM, it's about whether the CPU and Motherboard support dual channel.

 

[bharathtechknow]

No, the size, brand, or speed doesn't make any difference, just those affect compatibility and conflicts.
Using RAM of different sizes, speeds, brands increases the likelihood of conflict. Even using the exact same model but from different physical packs increases conflict risk.

There is no such thing as Dual Channel RAM, it's about whether the CPU and Motherboard support dual channel.

then why do manfacturers mention dual channel stick while selling ?

 

[PC Tailor]

then why do manfacturers mention dual channel stick while selling ?

Because naturally if you put 2 sticks from the same pack into a dual channel board, it will run in dual channel.

They will just call it dual channel to indicate there are 2 modules in the pack.

There is also some ambiguity, because there is single or double sided RAM, which has nothing to do with single or dual channel.

 

[PC Tailor]

To elaborate, dual channels are to do with the channels that the data travels through from or to the RAM, in effect it's the road that the data takes to reach its destination, RAM is RAM. However by running RAM in dual channel, you effectively double the size of the road for the same amount of data, as it now has 2 lanes to travel down.

Nothing to do with the RAM configuration, but to do with how the motherboard and CPU communicates with the RAM.

Again, completely unrelated to single sided and double sided RAM.

 

[geofelt]

What is the make/model of your motherboard?

On an intel motherboard, you may be ok.
Assuming that the 3 sticks actually work together(no 100% guarantee) the ram capacity that is duplicated on both motherboard channels will run in dual channel mode.
The odd capacity will run in single channel mode.
This is called flex mode.

If your motherboard is ryzen, I do not think it is going to work.
Ryzen needs matched ram on each channel.

In theory, ram must be matched.
Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
The internal workings are designed for the capacity of the kit.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards, can be very sensitive to this.
This is more difficult when more sticks are involved.
In practice, your odds of working with mismatched sticks on intel are reasonably high. 85%??

 

[lynx1021]

Also, I don't think they make 12GB sticks , usually 2,4,8,16,32 GB.