Adding 1 GB of ram - can I keep dual channel?

[shwaip]

I've got 2x512 MB sticks in my nf7-s (2.0). I want to put in a third stick, of 1GB. All three will be from the same manufacturer (Mushkin), and the same model. Will I be able to run the ram in dual channel mode?

[Missileman]

Short answer - No

Long Answer - No

Dual channel is basically virtually lining up 2 sticks of ram end to end giving you 128 bit access instead of the 64 bit the dimm is built with.

Now this is only virtual. Can't do that if you only add 1 more 64 bit access stick.

[Thrax]

The long answer is maybe, not "No."

If the three sticks together have an even number of banks, the answer is yes. If they have an odd number, the answer is no.

[TheBaron]

so in an NF7 or in fact any nforce2 board I can think of, the answer is no

[Missileman]

The long answer is maybe, not "No."

If the three sticks together have an even number of banks, the answer is yes. If they have an odd number, the answer is no.

You'll have to show me this one Thrax. It has nothing to do with banks. It has to do with access lines. A stick has 64 bit access. Dual channel allows the memory controller to simulate 128 bit access by using 2 sticks in a virtual array. How can you maintain this access mode by throwing in 64 extra address lines ?

Heck most chipsets won't do it with 4 sticks. 3 is not gonna happen.

[shwaip]

in my case, the answer was a short yes. I bought a 1 GB stick of muskin, to match the 2x512s in my mobo. I plugged the 1 GB stick into slot 3, the other two into 1 & 2. I turned on the pc and the bios said dual channel.

[TheSmJ]

Actually, the answer is a resounding "yes". I've checked with abit on this.

The problem is, the nf2 chipset does NOT support 3 DIMMs above DDR333 (check the manual if you don't believe me), so you may expirence some memory errors it you bring it up too high. I know I did.

[shwaip]

I've not seen any (yet) but I've not taken the time to really stress the system.

[Leonardo]

Let's see, these answers are already taken: Yes, No, Maybe

I was going to venture an answer, but no new options are available. :rolleyes: