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[Solved] Triple Channel issue...

Forum Motherboards & Memory : Memory - [Solved] Triple Channel issue...

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Best answer from sminlal.

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Stealth2k   10-01-2009 at 11:47:07 PM

Hello all. New here, name is Derik from Boise, ID.

I just recently decided to "try" and get back into the computer scene from being absent for many years. I got my work cut out for me, and already have ran into a noob mistake.

Have my build setup on newegg and waiting it out a bit to watch prices, but among it all I decided to order my memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227365

Above is memory of course, and recieved in mail today. After recieving it then talking to a friend who knows a bit more then me, he informs me triple channel memory does not work with the i5/i7. After confirming it, except for the high end i7 which I won't take advantage of I am sitting here with this memory that to my knowledge is useless. Figured I would go AMD instead, but seems from my research I'm at a dead end there.

Does having 3 chips make it "triple channel" and I could just use 2/3 of them, or is it anything internal. I am about to file a return with newegg to order some dual chan memory. If anyone could be assitance and guiding me the right way I would appreciate it. Here is my full build that can change need be. Was waiting till holidays to watch for any specials/price drop since I'm in no hurry. Build is minus the ram...

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] r=11913052

Thanks in advance :pfff:

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Best answer from sminlal
"Triple" or "dual" channel memory is a feature of the memory controller in the CPU or chipset, not of the DIMM modules themselves. You can buy DIMM modules in pairs or triplets to simplify getting the right number of chips, but in fact it makes absolutely no difference if you put 2 chips from a 3-chip kit into a dual-channel memory controller, or vice versa (assuming the memory is of the correct type, speed and voltage).

The only issue is that you won't be getting maximum potential performance if you don't have the right multiple for the system (ie, 2, 4, 6 modules for a dual-channel system, 3, 6 modules for a 3-channel system). And even, while the difference might show up in a benchmark, it wouldn't be noticable when you use the system.
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sminlal   10-02-2009 at 01:16:14 AM
Best answer

"Triple" or "dual" channel memory is a feature of the memory controller in the CPU or chipset, not of the DIMM modules themselves. You can buy DIMM modules in pairs or triplets to simplify getting the right number of chips, but in fact it makes absolutely no difference if you put 2 chips from a 3-chip kit into a dual-channel memory controller, or vice versa (assuming the memory is of the correct type, speed and voltage).

The only issue is that you won't be getting maximum potential performance if you don't have the right multiple for the system (ie, 2, 4, 6 modules for a dual-channel system, 3, 6 modules for a 3-channel system). And even, while the difference might show up in a benchmark, it wouldn't be noticable when you use the system.

Reply to sminlal
Stealth2k   10-02-2009 at 01:37:34 AM

Okay. I will just return it and get dual chan. No use it having an extra stick laying around being a waste of money I guess.

Reply to Stealth2k
sminlal   10-02-2009 at 08:18:22 AM

If you've got the empty sockets for it there's no reason why you can't use all three modules. Just make sure to put it in the right combination of sockets as indicated by your motherboard manual.

The "odd" module won't perform quite as well as the other modules (it has no other module to pair up with to improve throughput), but the benefit of having more RAM is far greater than the very minor performance hit of having a module with no partner.

Reply to sminlal
Crashman   10-02-2009 at 08:41:02 AM

Stealth2k wrote :

Hello all. New here, name is Derik from Boise, ID.

I just recently decided to "try" and get back into the computer scene from being absent for many years. I got my work cut out for me, and already have ran into a noob mistake.

Have my build setup on newegg and waiting it out a bit to watch prices, but among it all I decided to order my memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227365

Above is memory of course, and recieved in mail today. After recieving it then talking to a friend who knows a bit more then me, he informs me triple channel memory does not work with the i5/i7. After confirming it, except for the high end i7 which I won't take advantage of I am sitting here with this memory that to my knowledge is useless. Figured I would go AMD instead, but seems from my research I'm at a dead end there.

Does having 3 chips make it "triple channel" and I could just use 2/3 of them, or is it anything internal. I am about to file a return with newegg to order some dual chan memory. If anyone could be assitance and guiding me the right way I would appreciate it. Here is my full build that can change need be. Was waiting till holidays to watch for any specials/price drop since I'm in no hurry. Build is minus the ram...

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] r=11913052

Thanks in advance :pfff:



Read This:

http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2372.html

The same memory was used in dual-channel packages in the highest-priced System Builder Marathon machine because it's soooo good that you wouldn't want to pay more for heat spreaders that actually hinder performance. Here's the link to the dual-channel kit:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148262

Reply to Crashman
Stealth2k   10-02-2009 at 06:13:03 PM

So keep it, and use it. Or return it for only 2 and go 4 gig dual chan. What would YOU do? At work, and will look at the links below. Thanks for feedback.

-Stealth2k

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to Stealth2k
Crashman   10-02-2009 at 06:43:42 PM

Stealth2k wrote :

So keep it, and use it. Or return it for only 2 and go 4 gig dual chan. What would YOU do? At work, and will look at the links below. Thanks for feedback.

-Stealth2k



I hate to waste a module...you could buy another set if you had two other computer to put the resulting second and third dual-channel kits into.

Reply to Crashman
Stealth2k   10-02-2009 at 11:38:18 PM

I'm returning it, blah! Waste of time and money. Wouldn't use the other stick for anything so will just return it and order the dual chan of the same type from newegg. 20 buck restocking fee -_-

Reply to Stealth2k
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