Dual Channel Memory/Single Channel

External Since: Mar 10, 2004 Posts: 1

Does this make a difference? How does it work? New computer I am
thinking of buying comes with 512 memory. Criticism was that it is not
dual channel. I thought 512 was plenty. Thanks, Ron
(ront2@socal.rr.com)

External Since: Jan 03, 2004 Posts: 7693

On 25 Apr 2004 16:35:27 -0700, ront2 RemoveThis @socal.rr.com (ront2) wrote:

>Does this make a difference? How does it work? New computer I am
>thinking of buying comes with 512 memory. Criticism was that it is not
>dual channel. I thought 512 was plenty. Thanks, Ron
>(ront2@socal.rr.com)

We may need more details of the system to know if the difference is
significant.

Motherboards with integrated video do generally benefit a LOT from dual
channel mode. Intel Celeron/P4 benefit much less but still it's
worthwhile. nForce chipset boards benefit less but still a few percent.

Another issue is whether the 512MB was as a single module or two 256MB
modules. Personally I'd rather receive a machine with a single 512MB
module running in single-channel mode than a machine with 2 x 256MB
modules in dual channel, because if you ever wanted to upgrade memory and
run in dual channel mode you'd only have to buy 1 x 512MB module opposed
to 2 x 512MB modules.