Will this Run in Dual Channel mode ?

[Scottie]

I'm getting my computer back Tuesday :

CPU= XP3200+ 2.20 Ghz 400 Mhz Barton
MB= MSI nForce2-U400 DDR400
Ram= 2x 256 MB PC3200 200 Mhz 400 DDR

Will this Run in Dual Channel mode ?

Because another guy wrote this about it:

"I'm curious as to what dual-channel RAM does for AMD systems like that with a 400 FSB. I know on mine I need dual channel to support bus speeds, but at 400 MHz you'd only need PC1600 for it."

Thanks for your reply's !

[Cobra]

The modules have to be sold as a matched pair - slight differences in modules mean that two PC3200 modules will not run in dual-channel mode.

"I'm curious as to what dual-channel RAM does for AMD systems like that with a 400 FSB. I know on mine I need dual channel to support bus speeds, but at 400 MHz you'd only need PC1600 for it."

PC1600 for DDR400? No way.

All dual-channel memory means is that each module gets an independent memory controller, instead of sharing one between the two. This means you gain a small to fair boost in performance. My dual-channel RAM made a little difference to my system, but not much.

In essence, buy a dual-channel RAM pack rated at PC3200 for a DDR400 AMD system. The same goes for an 800MHz Intel FSB - PC3200 and no less.

Hope this helps,

Cobra

[rallynavvie]

That was me that said that BTW...

But if the processors are only running at 400 MHz FSB why the need for two sticks of DDR400 in dual channel configuration? On my Intel board the dual channel combines the 1:1 RAM frequency to allow 800 FSB. PC3200 = 400 MHz. 400 MHz x2 = 800 MHz FSB. That's why I'm confused, the term "dual channel memory" seems to mean different things between chips.

I don't think they have dual MCHs onboard either.

[Cobra]

Were you saying that the controller could sort of combine the speed of both memory modules to create PC3200 out of two sticks half that speed?

I always thought that dual-channel memory was simply a boost given by separate memory controllers. I am speaking from an AMD point of view - will Intel kit allow two slower sticks to combine speed?

[rallynavvie]

Intel uses the combined frequency of the memory modules to achive higher bus speeds, I was assuming AMD did the same. Granted with better memory modules you can generally get better timing out of them than if you were to run the bare minimum, you also leave room for overclocking. I guess I had recommended a dual-channel AMD board with a 333 Barton and dual channel utilized PC2100 instead of single sticks of PC2700. But then what is that third slot for. So confused now

[Scottie]

I'm lost oh well from what I hear it won't make much of a difference any who,

Thanks Guys !