DDR3 RAM Speed question

Hi guys,

A few months ago I started a thread about my PC rebooting a few times while loading windows, see it here. This issue still hasn't been sorted.

So I ended up taking one 2gb RAM stick out and selling it to a friend (works perfectly in his PC) and that solves my problem too.

So now I only have 2gb RAM (unfortunately, this makes a huge difference!).

I'd like to know if my system is running at its optimal speed at the moment.

Now I'll admit, I'm a total noob!
I just opened CPU-Z and checked a few things there. Not that I understand most of it

My CPU's bus speed is 132mhz,
My memory 's DRAM frequency is around 660
The FSBRAM ratio is 2:10

I'm running:
i-5 760 (2.8ghz)
Intel dh-55th motherboard
Kingston ddr3 2gb
Geforce GTS 250

Is this optimal performance?

While we're at it, can someone explain the use of dual channel memory to me? Should I rather sell this RAM stick too and buy two new ones for dual channel?

When I get some cash I will take my PC in and buy more RAM (either another 2GBs of RAM, or two sets of 2GBs for dual channel), but I want to test it in store first to be sure the rebooting problem doesn't return.

dual channel ram just means: The dual-channel configuration alleviates the problem by doubling the amount of available memory bandwidth. Instead of a single memory channel, a second parallel channel is added. With two channels working simultaneously, the bottleneck is reduced. Rather than wait for memory technology to improve, dual-channel architecture simply takes the existing RAM technology and improves the method in which it is handled.

just copied that from wiki, essentially you want to utilise dual channel to prevent bottle necks in your system.

the i5 is a nice cpu but you are limiting the whole computer with only 2gb of ram not by much but some apps will want more than your system can allocate.

Adding more ram of the exact same type on the same bank ie the same coloured slots will improve your computer performance as well as give you more system resources to use for things like games/rendering/decoding and encoding video.

gazz9496 said:

dual channel ram just means: The dual-channel configuration alleviates the problem by doubling the amount of available memory bandwidth. Instead of a single memory channel, a second parallel channel is added. With two channels working simultaneously, the bottleneck is reduced. Rather than wait for memory technology to improve, dual-channel architecture simply takes the existing RAM technology and improves the method in which it is handled.

just copied that from wiki, essentially you want to utilise dual channel to prevent bottle necks in your system.

the i5 is a nice cpu but you are limiting the whole computer with only 2gb of ram not by much but some apps will want more than your system can allocate.

Adding more ram of the exact same type on the same bank ie the same coloured slots will improve your computer performance as well as give you more system resources to use for things like games/rendering/decoding and encoding video.

Thanks, I'm certainly adding the 2gb back again when I have the money.

Do you reckon I'll see a performance increase from running 4gb dual channel rather than single channel?

DustSailor said:

You sold your RAM? You didn't provide the link, so I can only wonder why you sold 2GB RAM when you only had 4GB to start with. 4GB is perfect, 2GB can get some slower.

Its hard, complicated, and a lot of people don't recommend it due to stability issues and the possibility of breaking your pc, but overclocking is a method of increasing speed. Getting better RAM is good (You have to match every RAM in your pc though).

Check this out, but don't do anything you don't know how to do. The tutorials give you ample warnings, just be careful: Optimize Windows 7

Brink is a genius.

Thanks for the links! Yip I sold the extra 2gb because it caused my PC to reboot during windows load, every time! I sold it with the idea to replace it again when I've got some extra cash. Now I'm contemplating dual channel or just another 2gb and run the two in single channel?

ok if you have 4 ram slots 2 black 2 green..don't have to be that colour, put your 2 ram sticks in the 2 black slots which become a matched pair...assuming they are identical in every way, thus you are using dual channel ram.

if you pop 1 in black and 1 in green you run at single channel.

if you fill all slots you run 2 dual channel twin matched pairs.

the position of the ram dictates whether it will be dual channel or not it has nothing to do with the ram sticks themselves, as i pointed out all ram can do dual channel as it's handled by the memory controller.

matched pairs are essential for it to work if they aren't the same use the 1 and 1 approach.

if in doubt pull your current stick and purchase an identical one.