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3 sticks running in dual channel?

Tags:
  • Corsair Dominator
  • Dual Channel
  • RAM
  • Motherboards
  • Memory
Last response: in Memory
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September 1, 2014 6:51:50 PM

I have a crosshair v formula-z motherboard, with 3 4gb corsair dominator ram sticks. They say 1600 MHz, but I get freezes when running that high. If I put it on auto, 1 of the sticks runs at 1333mhz, and 2 run at 1066. Seems pretty slow. Cpu-z says that they're running in dual channel, and at 1333 MHz. I forced the system to run that. Just wondering why the ram runs slower, and how its in dual channel. Thank you!

More about : sticks running dual channel

September 1, 2014 6:55:50 PM

3 sticks obviously can't be dual.
When mixing speeds, I think the system defaults to the lowest common denominator.
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September 1, 2014 6:55:51 PM

Because you have a Dual channel MB, and because of stability issues. Though unless you're using an APU, the RAM Speed shouldn't matter much.
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a b V Motherboard
a b } Memory
September 1, 2014 6:58:09 PM

Dual Channel is only about 10% faster than single.
I didn't know any board could run dual channel with an odd number of sticks.

Mismatched sticks are also usually, a problem.
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September 1, 2014 7:00:22 PM

mrmez said:
3 sticks obviously can't be dual.
When mixing speeds, I think the system defaults to the lowest common denominator.


Actually, I belive how the RAM operates in this case is 2 sticks interlaced (dual channel) and the third running on it's own, if necessary. I would suggest taking the third stick out, and doing some extra checks.
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a b } Memory
September 1, 2014 7:03:23 PM

I would speculate that either you have matching banks of memory, or CPU-Z is in error. Stability issues are likely due to some of the RAM running at timings it can't handle.

If two of the modules were single-bank, and the other, on a separate channel was wired up as a dual-bank, you may just be able to get three to run in dual-channel mode, but frankly, having stability issues should trump any slight benefit you might gain from the endeavor. Whether your motherboard's BIOS or the CPU memory controller would refuse to work with such a pairing, I can only speculate at.
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September 1, 2014 7:21:02 PM

According to my Asrock Z87 Extreme 6 mobo manual, you can't run dual channel memory using 3 sticks or 2 sticks mis-matched in capacity.
Check your own users manual.
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Best solution

a c 1798 V Motherboard
a c 2285 } Memory
September 1, 2014 7:24:32 PM

It's running in what Intel calls flex mode (which has been around a long, long time), the memory controller looks for equal amounts of DRAM in each channel and runs that in dual channel, the remainder runs in single channel, it's a little out of balance and often a little extra voltage to the DRAM and/or MC (memory controller) often improves performance in this type of set up might try adding + 0.06 to the DRAM and maybe the same to the MC (think it called the CPUVTT, DDRVTT or just VTT on your mobo), if running now chances are good they might run 1600 also, would set up freq and timings manually
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