P4C800-E Deluxe / Dual Channel Question

croc_croc_ New
edited October 2003 in Hardware
If I run 4 chips of identical memory, will it still run in dual channel mode?

I would think it does, and from what I have read in the manual, it does, but I just wanted to make sure before I decide to buy more ram. Will runnning 4x256 chips slow me down any? Faster or slower than 2x512? slower than 2x256?

Comments

  • leishi85leishi85 Grand Rapids, MI Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    it would still be in dual channel mode, but it will impact your overclockbility.
  • DogSoldierDogSoldier The heart of radical Amish country..
    edited October 2003
    I'm currently running 2x256 Crucial 3200 at SPD Defaults. I'm planning on getting another 2 identical sticks to fill out the other 2 slots in my P4P800. Will this still impact OCing ability? Even at SPD Defaults?
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited October 2003
    Yes, its harder to OC more sticks of RAM. Its even harder in dual channel.
  • DogSoldierDogSoldier The heart of radical Amish country..
    edited October 2003
    See, that's the thing.. I'm not OCing the RAM. Just the CPU. The RAM is at SPD Defaults (loose timings)

    edit// Duh, actually.... I am OCing the RAM. It's running at 1:1 246Mhz
  • SimGuySimGuy Ottawa, Canada
    edited October 2003
    The P4C800-E will still operate in dual-channel mode and will overclock with 2 sets of dual-channel RAM installed. With 4 identical modules installed, everything will work fine.

    All 4 RAM modules do not have identical, however there has to be 2 pairs of identical modules installed in order to successfully operate in dual-channel mode.

    In banks A1 & B1, you need a matched pair and in banks A2 & B2, you need another matched pair.

    Having 4 modules installed will slightly hamper you maximum overclock in comparison to running 2 modules, but it's nothing serious, unless the RAM modules are not of the same quality.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    If Asus' BIOS for the 875 chipset is similar to Abit's, you should be able to dial in FSB/memory dividers to hold your DRAM at a stable clock while allowing your FSB to rise. That's how I get such a great OC out of my board with my less-than-stellar Geil RAM. ;D
  • SimGuySimGuy Ottawa, Canada
    edited October 2003
    On the Asus P4C800-E, you can select a memory divisor of 5:4, 3:2 or 1:1.
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