Dual channel memory and me

[daveharnett]

Hi folks.
I've got an XPS 710 on it's way to me. For those not familiar, it's got a nforce 590 sli for intel mobo and 2*1gb of ddr 667 ram. (I know, i know, but it was cheap

I have a spare stick of ddr667 here atm. Can i stick it into a spare slot, or will this muck up the dual channel-ness of the system?

Thanks

[WannaPiEcE]

If it is matching voltages and timings than you might be able to get away with it, however most times different ram modules are inserted (mixed together) Dual Channel will be disabled and extra strain will be placed on the Northbridge to accommodate.

Would it be worth it to place this extra 'rouge' stick of memory in a spare slot to boost from 2-3gb while taking a chance on having to clear CMOS and the lot, no... Would it be wise to search out a matching set and pay the 20 quid? yes

[GSte]

If you want it then stick it in, clearing CMOS is no big thing, and I doubt single channel will give you any noticeable drop in performance. Will you not invalidate your Dell warranty though by opening the case?

[daveharnett]

Will you not invalidate your Dell warranty though by opening the case?

I don't think that applies any more. Anyway, there's no security seal on the case, so who's gonna know

Reckon i'll give it a go. A mate of mine did the same thing with an identical setup and it passed the 'smoke test'. Ill get back with some benchmarks later in the week.

[kalniel]

Will you not invalidate your Dell warranty though by opening the case?

Not unless they've changed recently. Dell have always been great about people changing components on their own (they just don't extend the existing warranty to the new component unless it was bought from Dell as well).

[GSte]

That's cool.... thought they might be fussy like a lot of companies, but good to hear

[2Cold Scorpio]

I have a similar question I've been meaning to ask concerning RAM and dual channel. I'm building a rig with 2 GBs (2x1GB sticks) of 800MHz RAM. I'm wanting 3 GBs, but Cyberpower, who I'm building it through, offers only 1 GB, 2 GB, or 4 GB.

So I'm wondering if I get the 2 GBs (2x1GB sticks), can I add in two more 512 MB sticks of the same RAM type (800 MHz Corsair Value Select) to get to 3 GBs without messing up the dual-channeling, or will this break it? Would it be better to go to 4x1GB sticks in that case?

(Note: since its a $200 increase to go from 2x1GB sticks to 4x1GB sticks, if I added either 1 or two GBs, I'd do it myself, assuming I can still find the exact same brand and speed (800MHz) because I figure you have to have that setup for dual-channel to work optimally. Correct me if I'm wrong...)

[GSte]

Dual Channel will work fine with the 4 sticks you mention, as long as they're installed in pairs of the same size.

[2Cold Scorpio]

Dual Channel will work fine with the 4 sticks you mention, as long as they're installed in pairs of the same size.

Thanks! Seems you answered something I've been wondering about for the past few weeks.

[daveharnett]

Well, I've added in the third 1GB stick, and it's all working ok. NTune reports that there's still some dual channel going on (presumabely the pair is still dual channel and the single is single channel). Bios can't tell me much (Dell have gimped it), but it all looks ok.