Is dual channel RAM worth it?

LJGC_pc · Sep 2, 2015

Hi all,
So currently in my system I have 2 8GB dimms of ddr3 Crucial Ballistix sport, I originally purchased a single 8GB dim so I could upgrade easier in the future, not thinking back in 2013 that these single dimms, which were nearly £70 each at the time, weren't dual channel. My question to you guys is, Would it be worth buying a dual channel 16GB RAM kit from HyperX or Corsair? Would it boost performance in my PC, mainly used for gaming and Productivity? And while DDR3 RAM is so cheap at the moment would it be worth buying 32GB for extra in the long run?

Thanks in advance!

JobCreator · Sep 2, 2015

Dual Channel is worth it. Yes. I'm probably way off on this, but I believe it's something like a ~15% increase.

LJGC_pc · Sep 2, 2015

JobCreator :

Thanks for the quick response, so do you think I should purchase 16gb or 32gb I know 32gb is way too much but do you think it is worth it whilst it is so cheap?

boosted1g · Sep 2, 2015

If you have 2 sticks of the same memory it is likely in dual channel.

Dual channel just means that there is a pair of memory working together. Now a kit is guaranteed to work in dual channel, but most often if you have 2 sticks of the same speed and timings/voltage then they will go into dual channel mode just fine.

You can download CPUID and it will tell you if the memory is in single channel or dual channel mode.
Don't be concerned about it showing only 800mhz speed. Single channel and Dual channel sticks will show up as 800mhz (or whatever the speed is divided by 2) as that is what the individual stick is doing.

If the sticks are not a dual channel configuration, first of all consult your motherboard manual because if you have 4 slots the 2 sticks have to be in an exact 2 slots to be seen as dual channel.

In the end if they are just not close enough to the same to go into dual channel mode, the $75 is not really worth it for the average user because single vs dual channel mode is only a 10-15% increase

LJGC_pc · Sep 2, 2015

boosted1g :

If you have 2 sticks of the same memory it is likely in dual channel.

Dual channel just means that there is a pair of memory working together. Now a kit is guaranteed to work in dual channel, but most often if you have 2 sticks of the same speed and timings/voltage then they will go into dual channel mode just fine.

You can download CPUID and it will tell you if the memory is in single channel or dual channel mode.
Don't be concerned about it showing only 800mhz speed. Single channel and Dual channel sticks will show up as 800mhz (or whatever the speed is divided by 2) as that is what the individual stick is doing.

If the sticks are not a dual channel configuration, first of all consult your motherboard manual because if you have 4 slots the 2 sticks have to be in an exact 2 slots to be seen as dual channel.

In the end if they are just not close enough to the same to go into dual channel mode, the $75 is not really worth it for the average user because single vs dual channel mode is only a 10-15% increase

Hi, my RAM was in dual channel so its all good, thanks for answering anyway!

Search

Is dual channel RAM worth it?

LJGC_pc

Reputable

boosted1g

JobCreator

Honorable

LJGC_pc

Reputable

boosted1g

Titan

LJGC_pc

Reputable

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page