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general ram question
Name: bowtie1 Date: June 30, 2006 at 08:39:49 Pacific OS: Xp Pro CPU/Ram: AMD 2800 Product: Home build
Comment:
Just a general question about my RAM setup. I've had this computer for a while and nothing is wrong but I was wondering what the advantage of dual channel memory is? I currently have 2 512mb sticks running dual channel. What is the advantage/disadvantage if i move them to non-dual channel setup?
Name: Sabertooth Date: June 30, 2006 at 08:47:40 Pacific
Reply:
The 754 platform does not support dual channel mode, that means you probably have an Athlon XP based system & consequently there is zero discernible advantage to a DC configuration.
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Response Number 2
Name: bowtie1 Date: June 30, 2006 at 08:54:41 Pacific
Reply:
you are correct, its is a Athlon XP processor. So by me having it in dual channel mode am i using the full potential of 1gb of ram or should i convert it to non-dual?
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Response Number 3
Name: ham30 Date: June 30, 2006 at 09:31:02 Pacific
Reply:
There is zero discernible advantage to a 'none' DC configuration.
"....in dual channel mode am i using the full potential of 1gb of ram or should i convert it to non-dual?"
On an AXP system, you won't lose performance by running single channel & probably won't gain by running dual channel. But if your board supports it, you may as well use it.
Basically it's about the theoretical data transfer rates of the CPU & RAM being in balance. An AXP running at 200MHz (400FSB) has a max bandwidth is 3200MB/s. Single channel PC3200 RAM running at 200MHz (DDR400) has a max throughput of 3200MB/s. With this setup, you have "balance", or a 1:1 ratio. If you run the RAM in dual channel mode, the max throughput doubles to 6400MB/s, but since the CPU's bandwidth is only 3200MB/s, there's little or no advantage.
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Response Number 5
Name: bowtie1 Date: June 30, 2006 at 10:02:13 Pacific
Reply:
Thanks everyone for the insight. Makes me wonder why they even offer DC on Athlon XP systems to start with.
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Response Number 6
Name: GX1 Man Date: June 30, 2006 at 20:53:01 Pacific
Reply:
Because people will buy it because it is "dual channel". It sounds cool and they don't know any better.
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