Matched DDR RAM for Dual Mode

[pgudge]

A friend has 512MB Corsair PC3200 DDR, his mobo support Dual Channel, does he HAVE to get a matched stick (same batch etc) or could he use a PNY 512MB stick in the second slot?

If not, the Corair RAM he got from eBuyer, if he ordered the same stick again from them, would Dual Channel work?

Thanks.

[Dark Horse]

Dual channel is a motherboard setting, not a memory stick specific setting. It can work with different makes, sizes etc so as long as you put the ram in the slots that support dual channel then is should be fine.

[pgudge]

Cool thanks, just that I read something (on Hexus I think) that said you had to have the same batch of RAM to make Dual Channel RAM work. Which is why they sell Kits so you are gaurenteed a matched pair.

Is this tripe?

[Dark Horse]

http://www.devhardware.com/c/a/Memory/Dual-Channel/

Have you been in the market for memory lately? You may notice that memory comes in standard, one memory modules, and also Dual Channel Kits. What’s the difference? There is really no difference other then Dual Channel Kits are two modules instead of one. These are meant to be run in dual channel. You can still get two single modules and run them in dual channel. The kits are sold as tested to work in dual channel. If the memory stick of any kind of memory is compatible to be run at stock speed with stock latency, it will work in dual channel mode. The kits are sold more for the novice, so they know that they are getting what they need. I know when I bought my RAM there were no dual channel kits available for my memory; I bought two one stick packages and have experienced no problems with them.

edit: have been reading a bit more, basically as long as the timings and speed and size are the same, ram will work in dual channel. They don't have to be the same manufacturer though. However even if they're not it will still work perfectly well, just not in dual channel. Its not a big loss in real life ~5% in games so its up to you.

[mike_w]

Using different brands is fine... I use Corsair and TwinMOS without any problems.

[Agent]

edit: have been reading a bit more, basically as long as the timings and speed and size are the same, ram will work in dual channel.

They dont even have to be that either
The mobo will just fall back to the one with the slowest speed.

Its worth having a quick search on this very forum, this has been convered in far more detail many many times