should i go dual channel ddr support? ...

[Cafe_333]

That goes back to the question to raid 0 or not - because real world benchmarks have shown too that you would see little or no gains. But one thing you need to keep in mind about these tests: while they show there is no real benchmarks while you are running real world apps like MS Word, there are definately gains to be said in other areas. Obviously there is no gains while you are in MS Word when it comes to reading and writing to harddrives - or memory in this case. So obviously... if you are limiting benchmarks to situations where faster speed is not designed for, then you are obviously not going to see any real gains. These tests are only used to inform users of the limitations of dual channels and what they should really be setting their expectations for. Here lies the popular 5%, or the 'hardly little to no gains' that many users talk about with dual channel. Everything else, the gains are 20-25%

Dual channel is as much of a proven technology as Raid 0 can give performance gains. In single channel mode, data is written to the first bar of ram before it gets to the second bar of ram. In dual channel mode, data is written to both rams in synchronous mode.

I think he was trying to say that the 20-25% performance boost is only doable in non-real life benchmarks.

Which makes the entire point meaningless seeing as any normal person wouldn't make use of said performance boost.

[scottrempel]

The THG stuff you quoted does not say anything about NF2 DC compared to NF2 SC...but rather was comparing the NF2 to other platforms. I'm also sure a lot more was understood after such an early article was printed. If that is where you are getting 20-25% better then it really means nothing. If you have some form of example where a certain application or something performs 20-25% better then let's see it.

I'm not saying don't run DC...it's there...might as well use it. I'm just contesting this 20-25% percent stuff...there are tons of tests out there showing the typical 5% gain, but I haven't seen any showing that DC on NF2 is 25% faster then SC on NF2...that's all I want to see.

And since you still haven't shown me anything, what makes you think I am going to bother showing you that DC can function with 3 sticks? If you want see for yourself go read the many discussions over at nforcershq.com.

[ShadowVlican]

That goes back to the question to raid 0 or not - because real world benchmarks have shown too that you would see little or no gains. But one thing you need to keep in mind about these tests: while they show there is no real benchmarks while you are running real world apps like MS Word, there are definately gains to be said in other areas. Obviously there is no gains while you are in MS Word when it comes to reading and writing to harddrives - or memory in this case. So obviously... if you are limiting benchmarks to situations where faster speed is not designed for, then you are obviously not going to see any real gains. These tests are only used to inform users of the limitations of dual channels and what they should really be setting their expectations for. Here lies the popular 5%, or the 'hardly little to no gains' that many users talk about with dual channel. Everything else, the gains are 20-25%

Dual channel is as much of a proven technology as Raid 0 can give performance gains. In single channel mode, data is written to the first bar of ram before it gets to the second bar of ram. In dual channel mode, data is written to both rams in synchronous mode.

great analogy to raid-0... i just don't understand why people use it when there's little benefit and double the normal risk of losing your data

back to dc-ddr... THG isn't the stuff i'd be reading to learn about anything... imo their reviews are horrible...

dual channel doesn't bring anything close to 20% performance increase, probably for memory BENCHMARKS, but is that all you're gonna run? you're right about the IGP though, helps me more than it helps normal nf2

i'm still on the AthlonXP platform, and i can say that dual channel isn't worth buying a new mobo, but if it's there, might as well use it right?

oh, and you can run DC with 3 sticks, but i'm sure it has to balance like this for example:

channel 1: 512MB
channel 2: 256+256MB

[scottrempel]

oh, and you can run DC with 3 sticks, but i'm sure it has to balance like this for example:

channel 1: 512MB
channel 2: 256+256MB

It does not have to balance either actually...although the example you gave would be optimal. If you have 3x512MB, for example, you will still get dual channel, but 512MB of the memory in the one channel will not really be operating in DC....the rest will.

[Carnage]

Dual channel is as much of a proven technology as Raid 0 can give performance gains. In single channel mode, data is written to the first bar of ram before it gets to the second bar of ram. In dual channel mode, data is written to both rams in synchronous mode.

I accept that dual channel is a proven technology, and that it does give performance boosts(though how much is debatable).

My only argument is that the performance gains are not enough to make it worth an upgrade simply to go to DC. If upgrading your system, definetly go DC there's not really much reason not to. But I wouldn't suggest someone buy more ram just to switch to DC.

Just like I wouldn't suggest someone upgrade their hard drive to SATA, just to get SATA.

[ShadowVlican]

It does not have to balance either actually...although the example you gave would be optimal. If you have 3x512MB, for example, you will still get dual channel, but 512MB of the memory in the one channel will not really be operating in DC....the rest will.

ah. thanks for telling me that, i was not aware dual channel can operate with unbalanced channels

[audit13]

I'm using 2 x 256mb and 1 x 512mb ddr ram (all pc2700) on an Abit NF7-s and the boot screen says that dual channel is enabled using all 3 slots. The 256mb sticks are installed in the slots farthest away from the cpu and the 512mb stick is installed in the slot closest to the cpu. Is the bios wrong ? Is there a program that will test for dual channel mode ?

[Cafe_333]

I have to state that my argument was based on that 3x512mb would not have all 3 dimms running in DC mode, and it doesn't. But yes if the channels were balanced as ShadowVlican puts it then it would be fine.

audit13, your channels are balanced, it's working fine.

Carnage: I agree with you as I stated in an earlier post, upgrading just to go DC is not worth it, but something to consider for the future when overhauling his entire rig. My posting was only refuting your comment that my point was enitrely useless, which I don't believe it is.

[Cafe_333]

We've hijacked this thread completely, So I've decided to continue this in a new thread:
/single-vs-dual-channel-fact-fiction-164899/

Please feel free to comment and post your thoughts in this ongoing informative debate!!