Will 6MB Always Run Single Channel?

[IQTom]

I'm in the process of purchasing the components for my first home-built computer. I intend to purchase the ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX Mobo running an AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 80W Dual-Core

I've already purchased CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

Am wondering if I made the wrong choice here. Will this require me to leave one of the memory banks empty and therefore run single channel? I can't see where I can buy another matching 2MB module? Am I asking for problems by going with 6MB of memory? OS will be Win 7 (64). The whole double and triple channel thing leaves me very confused. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanx

 

[IQTom]

The reason for my macro question here is because with 4 memory banks there's no way to evenly distribute the memory, there being no 3GB (2x2) modules nor 1.5GB modules (4x1.5).

 

[roonj]

Yes, any channel (2 slots) with only one chip leaves the ram in single channel mode.
The good news if you bought it where I think the price for 2 identicle chips was the same price as the 3 pieces were.
The bad news, as everyone here at tomshardware knows excess chips purchased in this manner must me sent to me here in Florida care of Tomshardware.

With a triple channel motherboard (six slots or 3 pairs) running 4 chips allows dual channel but not triple channel right?

 

[IQTom]

I was unaware odd modules had to be sent to roonj. Before I do that anyone want to buy or sell one Corsair DDR3 XMS3 2GB 1600 module for $50 (incl. postage)?

 

[knucklepuck]

you can run triple channel with 4 sticks on a 6 slot mobo. just follow the mobo's instructions on where to place the sticks, and they have to be identical by the way. the asrock x58 extreme tells you to put them in the 1,2,4, and 6 slot (2,4,6 first, then the 1st slot)