Is dual-channel a feature of the Mobo or the RAM? I thought that as long as the Mobo is DC and the RAM is installed in pairs (same size and make), the RAM works in DC Mode.
I see memory advertised from the same manufacturer for which some is specifically identified as Dual-Channel and some is not!
Can you please shed some light on this?

Here's a couple of links:

http://canadacomputers.com/main.php...

http://canadacomputers.com/main.php...

Thanks,

Ron

Dual channel is a function of the memory controller and chipset of the motherboard. Basicly it allows access to the RAM at 128bit instead of 64bit. Real world increases are about 5-10% performance increase for bandwidth.

Dual channel(interleaving) has been around for a long time.

Core 2 Duo 1.86

Dual channel mode, or 128-bit memory access, is a feature of the system's memory controller, which may be on the motherboard or on the processor (in the case of the Athlon 64/X2/Opteron/Phenom).

Crap, Outlander beat me to it. :P

Any memory can be used with a 128-bit memory controller to run in dual channel mode, as long as the two modules are of the same capacity. The modules don't even have to be of the same make/model (although identical modules are recommended). For instance, I've got a Corsair module paired with a generic module running in dual channel mode in my laptop.

I wouldn't worry about whether or not the kit is advertised to be "dual channel" or not. As long as they are used with a 128-bit memory contoller and 128-bit memory access is enabled in the BIOS, the memory will run in dual channel mode.

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RAM that is advertised as dual channel is modules with the exact same specs packaged as a pair. The main advantage of that would be when OCing the RAM. Some MBoards are more sensitive to what RAM is installed. Using the matched sticks gives a better chance of compatability.

One last point to add - memory that is sold as "dual channel" is typically guaranteed to run in dual channel. If you had two sticks of memory from different manufacturers and there was a problem with running dual channel you wouldn't have any recourse.

But, the fact is those types of problems are not the norm. Plus, I don't typically see a price difference between buying two "non dual channel" sticks and buying ones that are marketed as such.

The price difference between the two you linked to is due to timing or latency differences (which aren't listed for those products) not the fact that one is marketed as "dual channel". The first one states it is a "signature" series. The second one doesn't list any series name, but the part number identifies it as the Patriot Extreme Performance series. Check the manufacturer's site for the complete specs on those modules.

http://www.patriotmemory.com/produc...

Michael J

Yup!

The responses above cover the features of dual chanelling, but there's a couple of things I would like to add: the models do not have to be of the same capacity or even speed, although, the advice (very often) is to stick with modules of the same size, manufacturer, speed for optimal DC arrangement.

I can say from personal experience that I once had a DC system setup with two stick that were not from the same brand, speed nor capacity & everything worked just fine. The last thing also is that some boards -- typically nVidia based -- do allow the use of two or three memory modules in a DC arrangement.

"The last thing also is that some boards -- typically nVidia based -- do allow the use of two or three memory modules in a DC arrangement."

How can you run dual channel ram without two (or four) memory modules?

Michael J

Michael J, depends on mobo design.
Some can run dual channel by having 1 x 1gb in slot 1 bank A and 2 x 512mg in bank B.