Dual Channel DDR ram? I'm confused

[HuckerJ]

I'm looking to buy a
Gigabyte GA-7VT600 1394 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-128-197&depa=1&section=2) and I think that I need to buy ram as well because I only have PC100 and that's not DDR, right. The description for this MB says that it has 3x DIMM for Dual Channel. How can the MB have an odd number of slots and be dual channel? Does having Dual Channel mean I have to use two ram modules at the same time or can I just use one and not use the dual channel feature? :confused:

Also, is this a good beginners board? Will it support a 1.2Ghz Athlon (MP I think)? Any suggestions on a cheap board to get?

thanks
HuckerJ

[RJ]

You can use one RAM stick and not take advantage of dual channel, that's possible.

But 3 RAM slots and dual channel .. that's odd.. . dunno how that's gonna work.

RJ

[Cricket]

Originally posted by HuckerJ
The description for this MB says that it has 3x DIMM for Dual Channel. How can the MB have an odd number of slots and be dual channel?For Dual Channel, you only use two slots. If you fill all 3, Dual Channel is disabled.Originally posted by HuckerJ
Does having Dual Channel mean I have to use two ram modules at the same time or can I just use one and not use the dual channel feature? :confused:No, you don't have to use the Dual Channel feature, the motherboard will work with just one stick of RAM installed.Originally posted by HuckerJ
Also, is this a good beginners board?What do you mean by "beginners board"? All motherboards install into the case the same way and you connect the devices to them in the same manner. Personally, I wouldn't use a Gigabyte.Originally posted by HuckerJ
Will it support a 1.2Ghz Athlon (MP I think)?Which one? The 200MHz or 266MHz version?Originally posted by HuckerJ
Any suggestions on a cheap board to get? What is cheap to you? Under $120? Under $100? Under $80? I'd stick to brands like ABIT, AOpen, ASUS, EPoX, Soltek and SOYO.

:) Cricket

[HuckerJ]

ok, thanks for answering my dual channel question. The 1.2Ghz athlon has 200Mhz FSB. Does anyone know of a motherboard that will support a 1.2 Ghz athlon and newer processors? I'm looking for one under $80 but I suppose I could spend more if necessary.

thanks again

[tireman]

Originally posted by Cricket
For Dual Channel, you only use two slots. If you fill all 3, Dual Channel is disabled :) Cricket

The Gigabyte board may be different but on the system in my sig, I have all 3 slots filled 2 X 256mb and 1 X 512mb and dual channel still shows to be enabled.

Quote from Asus Manual:

"To enhance system perfomance, utilize dual-channel feature when installing additional dimms. Install dimms in any of the following sequence: Sockets 1 and 3, sockets 2 and 3 or sockets 1, 2 and 3."

Still not sure about the gigabyte board though, their online manual does not say.

tireman

[glc]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-433&depa=1

Cheap and high quality.

[Tin]

that motherboard (7VT-600) does not support dual channel memory, as it has the VIA KT600 chipset, which is single channel. i agree with cricket in the fact that gigabyte boards arent very good. the only 2 gigabyte boards i would buy are the 7N400 Pro or 7NNXP, but they cost more than $100, the latter of the 2 running about $150. abit, asus, dfi, and soyo are the better brands IMO.

which CPU will you be using with this motherboard? what brand/speed is your memory?

[tireman]

Originally posted by HuckerJ
ok, thanks for answering my dual channel question. The 1.2Ghz athlon has 200Mhz FSB. Does anyone know of a motherboard that will support a 1.2 Ghz athlon and newer processors? I'm looking for one under $80 but I suppose I could spend more if necessary.

thanks again

Asus A7N8X-X (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-468&depa=1)

Abit NF7 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-144&depa=1)

Asus A7N8X-Retail (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-455&depa=1)

Any of the above should suit you.

tireman

[HuckerJ]

The A7N8X manual says don't use porcessors below 1 GHz and the FSB 400/333/266/200MHz, but for the CPU it says 400/333MHz FSB support. Will it support 200MHz?

[tireman]

Originally posted by HuckerJ
It seems like alot of people have the asus A7N8X. The manual says don't use porcessors below 1 GHz and the FSB 400/333/266/200MHz, but for the CPU it says 400/333MHz FSB support. Will it support 200MHz?

yes

tireman

[HuckerJ]

One last question. Just making surefor the 2nd time: if I get the Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe, I will be able to use only one ram module, right?

[tireman]

You will be able to use 1, 2 or 3.

tireman

[HuckerJ]

awesome. Thanks for all your help everyone

[FlimFlamFluggle]

Thanks for starting this thread Hucker! I am in the middle of gathering parts for my first computer build and found myself asking this very same question. I just today found this forum..Thank God! I had started a thread on about.com computer peripherals titled "first build parts list". Just today I posted the same question. The only response I have received thus far seems to not match up with the answers is this thread. So I will ask it here...

If I want to take full advantage of the dual channel feature on my ASUS P4P800 Delux do I need two memory modules?

Tahnk yo for any input or insight you might have,
Wacky Noodle

[HuckerJ]

yes. Two modules for dual channel.
Originally posted by Cricket
For Dual Channel, you only use two slots.

[FlimFlamFluggle]

Thanks for your timely response!

FlimFlamFluggle the Wacky Noodle