Not sure about Dual-Channel memory

[mazz72]

Hey all.

When attempting to utilize dual-channel memory, do the two memory modules have to be EXACTLY the same?? I remember hearing that they should be, but I wasn't sure if it had to be exact.

I have this in my pc right now... http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Produ...82E16820141427

...and I was hoping to add this, and utilize dual-channel...
http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Produ...24#DetailSpecs

They're pretty much the same, but the model #'s are different. Will that still work?

[Panama Red]

I don't think it will work. One is ECC and the other isn't. You don't need ECC in a desktop machine normally.

[Cricket]

You're running ECC RAM in your system now? You sure? Many new motherboards don't support ECC RAM. But if it is ECC RAM you'll have to get another stick of ECC RAM to enable Dual Channel DDR support.

Cricket

[mazz72]

Yes, I'm positive it's ECC. I double-checked the shipment info from when I first got it from Newegg.

Another question. I've read that using dual-channel may not really have much of an effect on performance. Is that true? If so, then maybe I won't even bother with that, and get the module I linked to above anyway, just for the sake of doubling what I have, since it's a good price.

I'm running an ASRock P4V88 with an Intel P4 2.4aGHz/533MB/1MB L2.
And of course, the 512MB of RAM that I mentioned earlier.

Would it even be worth it to find another module to utilize dual-channel, or just grab this deal to double what I have, and not even bother with the dual-channel?

Thanks for the help, all.

[flanzig1]

Even if you don't want dual channel, I think you still need to either use EEC or non-EEC ram and not mix the two.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by mazz72 Yes, I'm positive it's ECC. I double-checked the shipment info from when I first got it from Newegg.

Then you gotta get another stick of ECC RAM. Can't mix ECC and non-ECC RAM together.

Originally Posted by mazz72 Another question. I've read that using dual-channel may not really have much of an effect on performance. Is that true? If so, then maybe I won't even bother with that, and get the module I linked to above anyway, just for the sake of doubling what I have, since it's a good price. I'm running an ASRock P4V88 with an Intel P4 2.4aGHz/533MB/1MB L2. And of course, the 512MB of RAM that I mentioned earlier.

Dual Channel DDR does make a difference when used on P4 systems, not so much with AMD systems.

Originally Posted by mazz72 Would it even be worth it to find another module to utilize dual-channel, or just grab this deal to double what I have, and not even bother with the dual-channel?

Honestly, I think it depends on what you do with the computer and the type of software application you're using. I don't think you can "see" a difference between single channel and dual channel performance in everyday use, but it does show up in benchmarks.

Cricket

[mazz72]

OK, makes sense. Well, if I have to get another ECC stick anyway, I may as well try and take advantage of the dual-channel capabilities.

Thanks again for the help.

[Panama Red]

Just a thought for ya. Instead of buying another ECC stick, buy two of the non-ECC for a little more and sell the ECC to recoup some cash. You'll come out money ahead.

[Tin]

Originally Posted by Panama Red Just a thought for ya. Instead of buying another ECC stick, buy two of the non-ECC for a little more and sell the ECC to recoup some cash. You'll come out money ahead.

not just that, but good Value memory (COrsair Value Select and Kingston Value RAM PC3200) can be had for less than $100 these days, for a 2x512MB configuration no less.

[mazz72]

I will definitely take that into consideration. Thanks a lot, guys.