quick memory question

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Matt

I have a Dimension XPS Gen4 at work and I'm wondering.... The system has
2 -512 DDR2 matched pair memory modules and I have another set of 512 DDR2
matched pair Corsairs at the same speed (but I don't know the cas level of
the Dell memory)... Do both sets have to match each other for dual channel
to work or is it simply enough that each set is a matched pair?
 
Matt said:
I have a Dimension XPS Gen4 at work and I'm wondering.... The system has
2 -512 DDR2 matched pair memory modules and I have another set of 512 DDR2
matched pair Corsairs at the same speed (but I don't know the cas level of
the Dell memory)... Do both sets have to match each other for dual channel
to work or is it simply enough that each set is a matched pair?
Click to expand...

If each set is a matched pair, dual channel will work fine. If each set was
NOT a matched pair, in fact, but generally matched for same specifications,
dual channel would STILL work fine. Matched pairs of RAM is a marketing
gimmick. Dual channel is a function of the mainboard chipset, not the RAM.
In order for the mainboard chipset to operate in dual channel memory mode,
pairs of RAM modules must be similar in specification. (same speed, size,
geometry). Therefore, matched pairs WILL work, obviously, as all their
specifications will be identical. But don't pay 4 times as much for a
"matched pair" as you would for a single stick, as some memory manufacturers
would certainly LOVE you to do. :) -Dave
 
Dave C. said:
If each set is a matched pair, dual channel will work fine. If each set
was
NOT a matched pair, in fact, but generally matched for same
specifications,
dual channel would STILL work fine. Matched pairs of RAM is a marketing
gimmick. Dual channel is a function of the mainboard chipset, not the
RAM.
In order for the mainboard chipset to operate in dual channel memory mode,
pairs of RAM modules must be similar in specification. (same speed, size,
geometry). Therefore, matched pairs WILL work, obviously, as all their
specifications will be identical. But don't pay 4 times as much for a
"matched pair" as you would for a single stick, as some memory
manufacturers
would certainly LOVE you to do. :) -Dave
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
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