Dual channel vs Single channel


  1. Posts : 7,379
    Windows 7 ultimate x64
       #1

    Dual channel vs Single channel


    Hello All, i was wondering what is single channel and dual channel. This question came to my mind when i ran my PC with single RAM stick it shows "running on single channel" and when i inserted the second stick it says "running on dual channel". What is this?.......Also my graphic card crashes when i use the second stick, but runs smooth with single. I ran a memtest throughout night and got a blue screen in the morning. I will replace my RAM if it is faulty, but would like to know if there is some settings missing on my mobo.
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  2. Posts : 1,996
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       #2

    Essentially, dual channel means that you have two channels/pathways for your CPU to access your RAM rather than one in single channel. It's kinda like having a 2 lane highway versus a 1 lane highway to drive on. Think increased space for data flow. More space, more data. It improves performance.
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  3. Posts : 9,582
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
       #3

    They are both modes of operation for memory. There is also triple-channel for DDR3 RAM and compatible motherboards. Basically, it is a means to increase memory throughput by means of increasing the bandwidth for data transfer. In single-channel mode, 64 bits of data can be transferred to/from RAM at any given instant in time. With dual-channel this increases to 128 bits and with triple-channel this increases still further to 192 bits.

    As regards your blue screen and graphics crashing when using a second stick, are the sticks identical? They need to match in speed, timings, voltage and size. Have you tried both sticks separately?
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  4. Posts : 7,379
    Windows 7 ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    p5bdkw said:
    Essentially, dual channel means that you have two channels/pathways for your CPU to access your RAM rather than one in single channel. It's kinda like having a 2 lane highway versus a 1 lane highway to drive on. Think increased space for data flow. More space, more data. It improves performance.
    Dwarf said:
    They are both modes of operation for memory. There is also triple-channel for DDR3 RAM and compatible motherboards. Basically, it is a means to increase memory throughput by means of increasing the bandwidth for data transfer. In single-channel mode, 64 bits of data can be transferred to/from RAM at any given instant in time. With dual-channel this increases to 128 bits and with triple-channel this increases still further to 192 bits.

    As regards your blue screen and graphics crashing when using a second stick, are the sticks identical? They need to match in speed, timings, voltage and size. Have you tried both sticks separately?


    Thanks for the replies. i bought both the sticks together so i am guessing they must be identical. But is there anyway i can check that?
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  5. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit, Service Pack 1 [Version 6.1.7601]
       #5

    cpuid.com's cpu-z wll show you the memory.
      My Computer


 

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