Can you use Dual channel and single channel RAM Together?

[joshrogoff]

Here is my mobo...
BIOSTAR TForce 6100 AM2 Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard


I want to use pc3200 512 x 2 in slots 1 and 3. My question is can i slap in some old pc2100 512 x 2 single channel in slots 2 and 4 and have the pc3200 still work at dual channel? Thanks in advance...

[Kov-Ice]

Both paired sets (as long as they are identical sticks) should benefit from dual channel, but I think the older stuff slows all your memory down. Processes will only go as fast as the slowest stick allows. So all 4 would run at the pc2100 speeds, I believe.

[joshrogoff]

I'm sorry, i should clarify. The pc 3200 512 x 2 i have is dual channel. The pc 2700 512 x 2 i have is single channel. So what you're saying is that everything i have will work at single channel pc 2700 because thats the slowest? That would make sense i guess. In that case, is it better to have quanity or speed? Thanks again!

[Panama Red]

Dual channel kits are simply two sticks of memory that have been tested to work in a DC configuration. That doesn't mean that two sticks of identical ram purchased as individual sticks will not enable Dual Channel. I've tested and proven that two sticks of memory from different manufacturers will work in Dual channel as long as the specs are the same. What you are proposing to do is mix two different SPEEDS of memory, PC3200 and PC2100 (or is it PC2700 as post #3 indicates!). This mixing will cause the PC3200 to run at the slower speed to match the PC2100 as Kov-Ice has indicated. However, if the two sticks of PC2100 will enable Dual Channel then all 4 sticks should also.

Keep in mind that using a Dual Channel kit does not guarantee DC functioning. The motherboard has to be Dual Channel capable.

[flanzig1]

Dual channel only means that you are using 2 sticks of like speed and size ram in a Dual Channel capable mother board. If the PC2100 ram are of the same size and speed, they will work in dual channel.

[Kov-Ice]

Some memory is sold in tested pairs, but sticks purchased singly can still work in dual-channel. As long as you have two identical sticks in the proper banks of a dual-channel capable mobo, the memory will gain the slight benefit of running in dual-channel. I'm not sure whether it would be better to have 2GB at pc2700, or 1GB at pc3200. Depends on your usage, I guess. Maybe try it out both ways with some programs you're most often using and see if you can notice a difference.

edit: wow, I'm a slow typist today...

[joshrogoff]

Thanks for making that a lot more clear. Just one more question to ask. If i'm using 512 x 2 in slots 1 and 3 and i slap in a single 1 gb stick in slot 2, will the pair in slots 1 and 3 run in DC? Thanks again everyone!

[Kov-Ice]

Cant' believe I found this, but read through THIS thread for that answer. I'm guessing that may still be the rule.

[glc]

Sorry, you cannot use ANY of that ram in an AM2 board - that takes DDR2, not standard DDR. You need DDR2-800 ram for optimum performance, hang on to your wallet.

[joshrogoff]

Any DDR2 memmory will work, right?....800 is not really necessary....because my pockets aren't that deep!

[glc]

Yes, you might as well just get DDR2-533. However, a equivalent 939 setup with DDR-400 will perform better at this time unless you are using a very high end processor.