11/07 Does 168pin DDR (PC3200) memory needs to be used in pairs? Thx!
\_ Ideally, in pairs. Dual-channel mode will be activated if the
memory is of the same size and in the right slots.
If not added in pairs or of memory of different size or in the
wrong slots, then the memory will operate in single-channel mode.
Your mobo manual should tell you the same thing.
Your mobo manual will also tell you which slots to use for a pair
(e.g., for my Asus, it was every other slot that was a pair).
Same deal with DDR2.
\_ Dual-channel mode is much faster?
\_ From what I've read, for your typical program you will see
1-5% difference.
\_ Dual channel nearly doubles your memory bandwidth.
If "typical applications" don't use memory bandwidth,
then this guy is right. But stuff I care about is
often limited by memory bandwidth.... --PeterM
\_ Yeah, an easy test is to run Doom 3 or whatever and
measure fps, swap the memory to the wrong slots, and
see if there's a difference.
Repeat for real program that you're using. |