Quad Channel Memmory

[Ichy]

I like browsing around newegg and looking at all the different types of hardware and dream up exciting new configurations. Now I keep coming across DDR3 memory models that have 4 models pictured and quoted as being "Quad Channel" such as:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104169

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233143

One last one for the Ripjaw fans:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231456

Now the question is, what is quad channel? or are these just paired sets of Dual Channel ram known to work well together?

Thank you!

 

[treefrog07]

Quadruplets: 4 sticks tested and proven to work together.

 

[blazorthon]

Quad channel RAM will only work in dual channel if it isn't in a quad channel motherboard. Only x79 chipset boards have quad channel on desktop motherboards.

 

[Ichy]

Quad channel RAM will only work in dual channel if it isn't in a quad channel motherboard. Only x79 chipset boards have quad channel on desktop motherboards.

Ok, Trying to understand what you said here, its not entirely clear. So if I had the quad channel ram, but had a mobo that supported only tri channel, I wouldn't be able to use the quad channel ram.

On the flip side, if I have a mobo that supports dual channel, I can use the quad ram? now does that mean I am limited to only using 2 of the 4 sticks, or would all 4 sticks work, but be treated as 2 sets of dual channel ram?

 

[Pyree]

Marketing gimmick. Just a kit containing 4 identical RAM, as oppose to 2 or 3 identical RAM in dual or triple channel kit.

Dual channel, triple channel or quad channel is determined by your mobo. You will get dual channel even if you use the so call "quad" channel kit on dual channel mobo.

 

[Ichy]

Best answer selected by ichy.