Install triple channel or dual channel RAM?

Dude159 · May 27, 2014

Hi
I have 16GB of RAM that I want to install. It's 4 x 4gb and I want to know if I should install it into 2 channel or 3 channel. I've read around the place and lot's of forums discuss whether to buy triple or dual. I already have the RAM and want to know whether dual or triple channel will be faster.

esco_sid · May 27, 2014

it depends what motherboard you have most motherboards do only dual channel and you have either a dual channel or quad channel kit for triple you would need an old socket i believe LGA 1366 that has triple channel motherboards and they need triple channel kits.

chimera201 · May 27, 2014

If you have 4 sticks of RAM and 4 RAM slots on the motherboard, then there should be no confusion at all. If there are more RAM slots on the motherboard then there can be a confusion

Dude159 · May 27, 2014

I have a Gigabyte X58A-UD3R motherboard it's LGA 1366. In the manual it says I can install 4 modules in either dual or triple channel configuration. So my question is, which is better?

Dude159 · May 27, 2014

chimera201 there are 6 slots in the motherboard.

dpassenger97 · May 27, 2014

Dude159 :

id go with more ram in dual channel....if you really want to take advantage of of triple channel support then get one 8gb stick and use 2 4gb sticks

Dude159 · May 27, 2014

Dual channel it is then

faalin · May 27, 2014

triple is faster the dual, you will only be able to install 3 out of the 4 sticks. Real world gaming, internet and everyday tasks your not going to notice between the two speeds, if your video editing, encoding, or doing cad work and that sort of thing then triple channel will help.

pauls3743 · May 27, 2014

I know what he means, there's peculiarity with the x58 boards that allows you to install and run 4 sticks of ram in triple channel mode. Although I have a couple of x58 boards it's not something I've ever tried as I'm just not convinced by it myself. I merely got triple channel kits, which is multiples of 3 sticks of ram.

All I can really suggest doing is to build your machine, try the memory in both configurations and benchmark it to see which runs faster.

Dude159 · May 27, 2014

In the manual it says I can install all 4 in triple channel. 2 in the first two then 1 then 1.

chimera201 · May 27, 2014

Obviously triple channel is better.
http://www.legitreviews.com/ddr3-memory-performance-analysis-on-intel-x79_1779/3

This will tell you how to install in triple channel configuration.
"Motherboards with six memory sockets use the traditional scheme used by motherboards targeted to Intel CPUs. You must install the memory modules in the first, third, and fifth memory sockets, and these sockets almost always will use the same color, while sockets two, four, and six will use a different color. Therefore, simply install the memory modules in sockets with the same color. See Figures 11 and 12."
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/printpage/Everything-You-Need-to-Know-About-the-Dual-Triple-and-Quad-Channel-Memory-Architectures/133

This tool will allow you to verify whether its installed in triple channel mode
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Dude159 · May 27, 2014

Ok pauls3743. I'll do that and see what happens.

Dude159 · May 27, 2014

chimera, in that article I understand that they're adding a module each time. i.e single channel =1 stick, dual channel=2 sticks etc. Am I wrong?

chimera201 · May 27, 2014

Dude159 :

Install 3 sticks in the same color slots. Install the 4th anywhere lol

Dude159 · May 27, 2014

Alright, I'll just try it in both configs then see which is better. It's not very clear anywhere.

pauls3743 · May 27, 2014

The motherboard manual actually specifies which slot the 4th ram stick should go in to maintain triple channel with 4 sticks. I think if it's inserted into the wrong slot the motherboard falls back to single channel.

Dude159 · May 27, 2014

pauls3743 :

It does specify, I wasn't going to install just anywhere.

Dude159 · May 27, 2014

This is not going to make ANY noticable difference to gaming. Is it? I think I'll just install it dual channel and forget about it. Someone else can solve the mystery of 4 module RAM dual vs triple.

Decay12 · Oct 26, 2017

i had x58 motherboard, you should install 2 modules in first channel and 1 in 2 and 3 channels.
but even if there is advantage, it is not so big,

Wolfshadw · Oct 26, 2017

Thread is 3 1/2 years old. Closing

Wolfshadw
Moderator

Install triple channel or dual channel RAM?

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