Hi all, I've currently got 2GB (1GB X 2) Patriot Extreme Performance PC2-6400 800Mhz 4-4-4-12 2T RAM installed running in Dual Channel with 1.9v voltage. This is it here: Patriot Memory - Products I want to add another 2Gb (1Gb x 2) to the 2 remaining slots, and keep Dual Channel mode and can get some of this OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 800Mhz 4-4-4-15 1T RAM : This is it here: OCZ Technology | Products | Memory | OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 SLI-Ready Edition Dual Channel which I can get really cheap form a friend, to add to my PC. What I'm wondering is if the system will be able to run it in dual channel along with the Patriot RAM I've already got installed. I don't mind if the timings have to match the Patriot RAM's 4-4-4-12 2T, rather than the OCZ's 4-4-4-15 1T, just wondering if it will work. My understanding is that each channel will work as long as identical RAM sets are installed in each bank of slots for the corresponding seperate channel, i.e. : Using my MOBO as an example where say my RAM slots are coloured 2 RED and 2 BLACK. With the RED slots being BANK 1 and the BLACK slots being BANK 2 Channel A = (Slot 1 + Slot 3 ) Channel B = (Slot 2 + Slot 4) Therfore RAM installed in matching colour slots RED or BLACK spans 2 channels A + B and is in the same BANK, either BANK 1 or BANK 2 = Dual Channel Whereas if the RAM is installed in 1 red and 1 black slot then it only occupies 1 Channel as both these slots are in either Channel A or Channel B = Single Channel Unless they are installed in Slot 1 and Slot 4 etc, ........but in which case while they span 2 channels, they are also in seperate BANKS as Slot 1 would be in BANK 1 and Slot 4 would be in BANK 2 and so Dual Channel wouldn't work....!!!! As for Dual Channel to work then Identical RAM must be installed into a slot that BOTH 1. spans 2 Channels 2. But is also in the same BANK. either BANK 1 or BANK 2 So if I install the RAM as follows would I be right in thinking that it should work in Dual Channel mode....?????? BANK 1 Slot 1 - 1Gb Patriot PC2-6400 800Mhz 4-4-4-12 2T (Channel A) Slot 2 - 1Gb Patriot PC2-6400 800Mhz 4-4-4-12 2T (Channel B) BANK 2 Slot 3 - 1Gb OCZ PC2-6400 800Mhz 4-4-4-12 2T (Channel A) Slot 4 - 1Gb OCZ PC2-6400 800Mhz 4-4-4-12 2T (Channel B) IS THIS CORRECT....???????? Wonder if someone with the experience to do so, would like to make a sticky explaining the ins and outs of Dual Channel - compatability, timings, volatges etc......as it seems there are a lot of people asking various things about Dual Channel.....just a thought....!!!!! Anyway as always any help with this question will be greatly appreciated, as I can't really afford ...$$$$$$...£££££... to make the mistake of buying RAM that may prove to be incompatible. BTW I know that 32-bit Vista may not address all 4Gb of RAM. Many thanks Karen ps: my current specs, mobo etc, are in my siggy
That's correct. The only thing you'll have to do is use 4-4-4-15 timings, not 4-4-4-12. The OCZ uses the looser timings, and while it might do 4-4-4-12, your better off starting out with 4-4-4-15.
