Dual Core question

[The Old Timer]

I have only just found out that my new motherboard supports Dual core
memory. I only have one stick of RAM. I have been told that I can't
buy a second stick of RAM to take advantage of this feature. It was
suggested that to get any benefit you have to purchase 2 sticks, at the
exact same time which are sold as matching pairs. Is this correct or
not? I do have the exact details from the packaging from the first
stick & suspect that I should be able to get another now even though
they aren't purchased at the same time.

 

[Guest]

The correct way is to buy a "matched" set. And even when you buy a matched
set, your lucky if they start running at a dual data rate or DDR. The odds
are slightly against you buying them at different times. Try to even get the
same version number, not just same size and make. Yep its hard to believe,
but its like they change production every few weeks on version #'s. If you
have 4 slots on your mother board, make sure you put one of the memory sticks
in the "A" bank and the other in the "B" bank. please refer to your
motherboard manual for clarity.

 

[Bob Davis]

I have only just found out that my new motherboard supports Dual core
memory. I only have one stick of RAM. I have been told that I can't buy a
second stick of RAM to take advantage of this feature. It was suggested
that to get any benefit you have to purchase 2 sticks, at the exact same
time which are sold as matching pairs. Is this correct or not? I do have
the exact details from the packaging from the first stick & suspect that I
should be able to get another now even though they aren't purchased at the
same time.

Not necessarily. The "matched pairs" were tested together at the factory,
that's all, and guaranteed to work together in dual-channel mode. I have
four 512mb sticks here, two of which were not purchased together as a
matched pair, and they work fine. I would not definitely mix brands or
types, however (e.g., Crucial and Kingston or ECC and non-ECC).

I would call the memory company and ask their recommendation, and be
prepared to read the info on your stick or the part number from the invoice,
as well as provide the date purchased. Or, if there is a problem matching
it with what's available now, sell your stick and buy a matched pair.

BTW, it's "dual-channel" for memory, "dual-core" for CPU's.