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Will Dual channel RAM work with single channel RAM at the same time?

I have 1 GB of ddr pc3200 single channel ram, thinking about buying 1gb dualchannel RAM pc3200...My motherboard supports dual channel.

4 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Technically, there is nothing like "dual channel ram"(that's just a marketing term, there is a very well defined physical difference between sdr and ddr ram modules that makes it impossible to use both at the same time, for example; dual channel on the other hand is merely an option if the motherboard/chipset supports and the Ram supports it). There is only dual-channel-compatible Ram, and you will most certainly be able to operate the pc just fine with both modules installed, unless the new module is somehow incompatible with your mainboard (which happens extremely rarely nowadays, only with old chipsets which do not support double-sided ram modules). In Single-Channel mode, that is.

  • 6 years ago

    Always try running the same type. The Motherboard tells the memory to run either single or dual channel. I'm maxing the memory on a Lenovo & an HP. The HP runs slower single channel memory. I'm getting the 16gb of DDR3 12800 dual channel memory for the Lenovo for about $70 whereas the HP running DDR3-1066 which is slower, single channel but it's $85 on sale, regular price of $200 marked down to $100 - 15%.= $85 which is the regular price of the Kingston Hyperx memory which is one of the best in my opinion. Although it will run backwards, I'm still gonna buy the speed from the website.

    As far as dual channel, if you have 4 banks, 0 & 2 run together & 1 & 3 run together [on almost all boards], but remember you need to run the same size in your 2 matched banks to keep dual channel, or it automatically runs single channel.

    When it comes to the specs, I try to follow it as best as I can. HP is known for running beep codes when the wrong memory is being used, that's why I'm just gonna spend the extra $15. As for memory, it usually reads that this memory can run dual channel. I've always looked to see if there's chips on both sides. If not it's actual single channel memory & mixing the two will only cause the dual channel stick to run single channel also at the lowest speed memory if they're not the same speed.....

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    as quickly as you run twin channel ram configurations the motherboard contraptions optimum timings for the ram, to be in twin channel mode. in case you have say, 4 DDR2 ram slots, 2 getting used to run twin channel ram synchronously, then which incorporate yet yet another stick of ram into an open slot working asynchronously will harm the final overall performance of your diverse 2 sticks of ram. such as working RAID set united statesfor not user-friendly drives, working sticks of ram is appropriate performed with matched contraptions. or you will lose potential from the bigger/faster ingredient. Plopping the the only channel in alongside the twin, you will finally finally end up someplace interior the middle of working twin channel and single channels, yet you will finally finally end up with a greater ram buffer for better purposes of direction. in case you may, upload one extra stick of ram which will make the two pairs run synchronously and get you the main out of your workstation(assuming they're all rated for a similar FSB velocity)

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    it's only dual channel when you have 2 sticks of identical size and speed installed in selected slots

    if you motherboard has 4 slots

    then it's usually dimm0 and dimm2 slot to enable dual channel mode

    otherwise memory is single channel by definition since the dimm sits in only one channel

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