Confused about dual-channel

I'm a bit confused about dual-channel RAM. I know that there is a 4 GB limit.
I want to build a Vista-based PC. Based on what I've read in the forums, I
wouldn't want to install more than 3 GB. This is where I'm confused. If there
are 4 one GB sticks of RAM on the motherboard, that's a total of 4 GB in
single-channel. Is that a total of 2 GB in dual channel? How do I get 3 GB in
dual-channel? Do I have 2 one GB sticks & 2 512 MB sticks on the motherboard?

Thank you.

If you have four 1GB sticks and they are matched, then you would have 4GBs in
dual channel if your board supports it. To get 3GBs in dual channel you would
need two 1GB sticks (matched) and two 512MB sticks (matched). All four should
be the same speed.
--
Paul


"pc nerd" wrote:

> I'm a bit confused about dual-channel RAM. I know that there is a 4 GB limit.
> I want to build a Vista-based PC. Based on what I've read in the forums, I
> wouldn't want to install more than 3 GB. This is where I'm confused. If there
> are 4 one GB sticks of RAM on the motherboard, that's a total of 4 GB in
> single-channel. Is that a total of 2 GB in dual channel? How do I get 3 GB in
> dual-channel? Do I have 2 one GB sticks & 2 512 MB sticks on the motherboard?
>
> Thank you.

That's what I thought. Apparently, the amount of RAM is the same whether it
is single-channel or dual-channel.

Thanks for the quick reply.

"PaulB" wrote:

> If you have four 1GB sticks and they are matched, then you would have 4GBs in
> dual channel if your board supports it. To get 3GBs in dual channel you would
> need two 1GB sticks (matched) and two 512MB sticks (matched). All four should
> be the same speed.
> --
> Paul
>
>
> "pc nerd" wrote:
>
> > I'm a bit confused about dual-channel RAM. I know that there is a 4 GB limit.
> > I want to build a Vista-based PC. Based on what I've read in the forums, I
> > wouldn't want to install more than 3 GB. This is where I'm confused. If there
> > are 4 one GB sticks of RAM on the motherboard, that's a total of 4 GB in
> > single-channel. Is that a total of 2 GB in dual channel? How do I get 3 GB in
> > dual-channel? Do I have 2 one GB sticks & 2 512 MB sticks on the motherboard?
> >
> > Thank you.

To make dual channel function properly, you not only need matched sticks of
RAM, but must properly place them.
In a 4 slot configuration, I orogonally thought the matched sets went in the
same banks.
WRONG
To make it work, you put matched sticks in bank 1, slot 1 and bank 2, slot
1, then the other matched set in bank 1, slot 2 and bank 2, slot 2
It's counter intuitive, but it made sense to someone.

When I rearranged my RAM to make it work in dual channel mode, I had to
reactivate Vista.
That is just the height of stupidity!
--
A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!

Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
"pc nerd" <> wrote in message
news:70599A26-2826-4117-B5A1-...
> That's what I thought. Apparently, the amount of RAM is the same whether
> it
> is single-channel or dual-channel.
>
> Thanks for the quick reply.
>
> "PaulB" wrote:
>
>> If you have four 1GB sticks and they are matched, then you would have
>> 4GBs in
>> dual channel if your board supports it. To get 3GBs in dual channel you
>> would
>> need two 1GB sticks (matched) and two 512MB sticks (matched). All four
>> should
>> be the same speed.
>> --
>> Paul
>>
>>
>> "pc nerd" wrote:
>>
>> > I'm a bit confused about dual-channel RAM. I know that there is a 4 GB
>> > limit.
>> > I want to build a Vista-based PC. Based on what I've read in the
>> > forums, I
>> > wouldn't want to install more than 3 GB. This is where I'm confused. If
>> > there
>> > are 4 one GB sticks of RAM on the motherboard, that's a total of 4 GB
>> > in
>> > single-channel. Is that a total of 2 GB in dual channel? How do I get 3
>> > GB in
>> > dual-channel? Do I have 2 one GB sticks & 2 512 MB sticks on the
>> > motherboard?
>> >
>> > Thank you.

pc nerd wrote:
> I'm a bit confused about dual-channel RAM. I know that there is a 4 GB limit.
> I want to build a Vista-based PC. Based on what I've read in the forums, I
> wouldn't want to install more than 3 GB. This is where I'm confused. If there
> are 4 one GB sticks of RAM on the motherboard, that's a total of 4 GB in
> single-channel. Is that a total of 2 GB in dual channel? How do I get 3 GB in
> dual-channel? Do I have 2 one GB sticks & 2 512 MB sticks on the motherboard?
>
> Thank you.
Others have addressed your dual channel question. As for only 3GB or
RAM- that is not a limit. There was (is?) a problem but there is a patch
available that fixes it. I'm running 4 GB- I had to install Vista w/only
2GB, execute the patch and then install the other 2 GB. I've had no
lockups or BSOD's.

Fitz
--
Your body is a temple boy,
You ought to treat it well
But you trash the place and rent it out
Like it's some cheap motel - The Badlees

Now, wait a minute! I haven't built the PC yet, but I certainly don't want to
reactivate Vista!

What is the correct way to install the RAM? I see 2 possibilities.

1) 2 sticks of 1 GB RAM in channel 1 & 2 512 MB sticks in channel 2

or

2) one 1 GB stick & one 512 MB stick in channel1
one 1 GB stick & one 512 MB in channel 2

If I understand your reply, then option 2 is what I should use. Correct?
What if I use option 1 when I build it? Will Vista be confused?

Thank you.

"Not Me" wrote:

> To make dual channel function properly, you not only need matched sticks of
> RAM, but must properly place them.
> In a 4 slot configuration, I orogonally thought the matched sets went in the
> same banks.
> WRONG
> To make it work, you put matched sticks in bank 1, slot 1 and bank 2, slot
> 1, then the other matched set in bank 1, slot 2 and bank 2, slot 2
> It's counter intuitive, but it made sense to someone.
>
> When I rearranged my RAM to make it work in dual channel mode, I had to
> reactivate Vista.
> That is just the height of stupidity!
> --
> A Professional Amateur...If anyone knew it all, none of would be here!
>
> Change Alpha to Numeric to reply
> "pc nerd" <> wrote in message
> news:70599A26-2826-4117-B5A1-...
> > That's what I thought. Apparently, the amount of RAM is the same whether
> > it
> > is single-channel or dual-channel.
> >
> > Thanks for the quick reply.
> >
> > "PaulB" wrote:
> >
> >> If you have four 1GB sticks and they are matched, then you would have
> >> 4GBs in
> >> dual channel if your board supports it. To get 3GBs in dual channel you
> >> would
> >> need two 1GB sticks (matched) and two 512MB sticks (matched). All four
> >> should
> >> be the same speed.
> >> --
> >> Paul
> >>
> >>
> >> "pc nerd" wrote:
> >>
> >> > I'm a bit confused about dual-channel RAM. I know that there is a 4 GB
> >> > limit.
> >> > I want to build a Vista-based PC. Based on what I've read in the
> >> > forums, I
> >> > wouldn't want to install more than 3 GB. This is where I'm confused. If
> >> > there
> >> > are 4 one GB sticks of RAM on the motherboard, that's a total of 4 GB
> >> > in
> >> > single-channel. Is that a total of 2 GB in dual channel? How do I get 3
> >> > GB in
> >> > dual-channel? Do I have 2 one GB sticks & 2 512 MB sticks on the
> >> > motherboard?
> >> >
> >> > Thank you.
>
>
>

"pc nerd" <> wrote in message
news:B06613C9-F67A-4A0E-8D71-...
> Now, wait a minute! I haven't built the PC yet, but I certainly don't want
> to
> reactivate Vista!
>
> What is the correct way to install the RAM? I see 2 possibilities.
>
> 1) 2 sticks of 1 GB RAM in channel 1 & 2 512 MB sticks in channel 2
>
> or
>
> 2) one 1 GB stick & one 512 MB stick in channel1
> one 1 GB stick & one 512 MB in channel 2
>
> If I understand your reply, then option 2 is what I should use. Correct?
> What if I use option 1 when I build it? Will Vista be confused?
>

You need to look at your motherboard manual..
most have some sort of colour coding and you need matched pairs in the
matching colours.
If you get it wrong and have a 1G and a 512M in a channel it will only see
512M but I believe it should still work on most systems.

You have 30 days to activate vista so I suggest you don't do it until you
know the system is as you want it.