Hi
I'm about to buy a computer
Intel P4 2.6C
Asus P4P800
2x256 DDR400

My question is how can i tell if my computer is doing dual channel. I told the place thats gonna build my comp I want a dual channel pair - but they might stiff me and just put in any 2 256MB DDR400 ram that wont utilize the dual channel.

thanks

If memory is inserted into the proper memory slots on your motherboard in pairs, it will be configured in the dual channel mode. This is explained in the MB manual.

This is a copy of my answer to another post concerning dual channel ram.

You aren't understanding the concept yet. Dual channel ram referrs to the fact that your motherboard has TWO memory controllers, instead of ONE. What this does is allow for more bandwidth. It doesn't double the amount of memory. Just allows the memory to reach more of its potential. I don't know what the performance increase is on an Intel 800FSB motherboard, but I am sure it isn't double or even close. Maybe 10% is a guess. With modern computers, everything is incrimental. A little better performance here a little there. That is how overall system performance is increased. So, to answer your question, there is no such thing as 1 ddr 512mb dual channel. The memory isn't special. DDR memory comes in different speeds and sizes. You are probably talking about PC3200 or DDR400. 512 MB or ddr400 and 1GB or ddr400 both run the same speed. The 1GB is capable of performing more work. When you pair 2 ddr400 molules on dual memory controllers, theorically each of them can perform a little more work than they could when piggybacked onto one memory controller. Am I getting thru?