Adding RAM to a dual channel setup?

[Ant]

Just a quickie,

I have 2x 256 PC3200 sticks of ram set up in dual channel mode on my 8RDA3+, and I want to add another 512MB stick in the spare slot to give me a gig of RAM.

My question is, are the two 256MB sticks still going to be running in dual channel config? Or do they all three sticks just run in normal mode or something?

Is there actually much of a performance difference running RAM in dual config mode as opposed to running it like normal??

Cheers Dudes/dudettes

Ant

[Hottentot]

Yes you will still run dual channel IF your various memory sticks are compatable , (you will find out on boot-up). Dual channel adds about 1-3% to you performance, more if you are using onboard graphics.

[Carvahlo]

Yes, it will still run dual channel but you MUST put them in the correct slots ie 2x256mb on one channel and 512mb in the other channel and the correct DIMM slot positioning. This also varies depending on whether the DIMMS are single or double sided.

You need to refer to your mobo manual for the correct DIMM / channel layout because it varies from motherboard to motherboard.

Don't agree with the 1-3% increase - it really does depend on the application. In photoshop for example, you can get performance increases of over 10% in d/c mode. In other apps, you might see no difference.

[Carvahlo]

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[Ant]

Cool, thanks for clearing that up! Well the new 512 stick will be the same specification and brand as the current two 256 sticks. (Standard Crucial PC3200 stuff)

I should be able to stick them in the rights slots quite easily, as Epox have kindly n00b proofed their boards by colour coding their slots!

I'm not totally fussed about it all running in dual channel config really, but its always nice to know...

Thanks

Ant

PS Hottentot, if you don't mind me asking, what made you choose that nick?