Run two single-channel sticks in dual channel mode?

[Byron Hawkins]

I have a Gigabyte GA-Z270P-D3 and I'm trying to figure out if I can get one 16GB stick now and eventually upgrade with 3 more 16GB sticks later. With all 4 sticks installed, each pair of sticks needs to run in dual channel mode. But when sold separately, the sticks are labeled "single channel". What does that mean? It sounds like they will not run in dual channel mode even if I pair two of the exact same single-channel stick. Is that just marketing nonsense, or do I need to buy ram that is specifically labeled "dual channel"?

I realize the single 16GB stick will be slower than a pair of 8GB--but I refuse to throw away 16GB just to free a slot at upgrade time, and I will upgrade soon enough anyway.

 

[Hellfire13]

Two things...

> You will not even need anywhere above 32gb during the lifetime of the build, assuming your build is recent, for gaming and productivity or either separately.

> You will not find a single stick ever labelled as 'dual channel', because you need a second stick to run 'dual channel' and the second stick can be either... https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1349-ram-how-dual-channel-works-vs-single-channel?showall=1

 

[COLGeek]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from Byron Hawkins : "One single channel stick/upgrade later?"

I have a Gigabyte GA-Z270P-D3 and I'm trying to figure out if I can get one 16GB stick now and eventually upgrade with 3 more 16GB sticks later. With all 4 sticks installed, each pair of sticks needs to run in dual channel mode. But when sold separately, the sticks are labeled "single channel". What does that mean? It sounds like they will not run in dual channel mode even if I pair two of the exact same single-channel stick. Is that just marketing nonsense, or do I need to buy ram that is specifically labeled "dual channel"?

I realize the single 16GB stick will be slower than a pair of 8GB--but I refuse to throw away 16GB just to free a slot at upgrade time, and I will upgrade soon enough anyway.

 

[Byron Hawkins]

Two things...

> You will not even need anywhere above 32gb during the lifetime of the build, assuming your build is recent, for gaming and productivity or either separately.

It's for audio production, and we do use up to 128GB of ram. I have multiple machines to make this possible within my budget.

> You will not find a single stick ever labelled as 'dual channel', because you need a second stick to run 'dual channel' and the second stick can be either... https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1349-ram-how-dual-channel-works-vs-single-channel?showall=1

But can I run two sticks labeled "single channel" together in dual channel mode? That's what I can't figure out.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

16GB sticks are relatively new. To be 100% sure of compatibility especially with 16GB sticks I'd get matched kits.

But to answer your question dual channel is a function of the motherboard not the RAM sticks. So yes buying individually, IF they work together will work in dual channel mode.

The thing about mixing RAM is even identical model number kits from the same manufacturer can be made with different ICs in different production runs. The voltage and timings can match but the subtimings can be different enough to cause errors. That's why RAM is sold in matched kits that are guaranteed to be compatible.

 

[Hellfire13]

It's for audio production, and we do use up to 128GB of ram. I have multiple machines to make this possible within my budget.

Well, i was under the impression that this is for home use and not professional.
As mentioned above, the timings are not guaranteed to match but more often than not two identical sticks tend to work, or atleast thats what i have observed in my years of experience. So, in theory you can run two sticks labeled "single channel" together in dual channel mode, but it depends more on luck.

 

[Byron Hawkins]

The thing about mixing RAM is even identical model number kits from the same manufacturer can be made with different ICs in different production runs. The voltage and timings can match but the subtimings can be different enough to cause errors. That's why RAM is sold in matched kits that are guaranteed to be compatible.

Since the board is dual channel, maybe it's better to buy a matched pair now (32GB) and another matched pair later. But is there a possibility that the two pairs won't agree, or are they independent, since it's not a quad channel board?

 

[Hellfire13]

Yes, there is a possibility of the two pairs not working together, but that you can never know unless you test it. So, nobody can tell you with certainty whether it will work or not, down the line.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

The thing about mixing RAM is even identical model number kits from the same manufacturer can be made with different ICs in different production runs. The voltage and timings can match but the subtimings can be different enough to cause errors. That's why RAM is sold in matched kits that are guaranteed to be compatible.

Since the board is dual channel, maybe it's better to buy a matched pair now (32GB) and another matched pair later. But is there a possibility that the two pairs won't agree, or are they independent, since it's not a quad channel board?

It's more likely mismatched sticks will work together in separate channels. You'd still want to buy the same model kit if you can though.