Dual channel RAM or not?

torrentg said:

I may want to up the memory on my machine from 1 GB to 2 GB which is the mainboard's maximum. It is an MS-7211 from MSI. Here is the only thing the manual says about memory:

Main Memory
• Supports two memory banks using two 184-pin DDR DIMM.
• Supports up to 2GB PC3200 (DDR400) SDRAMs.
• Supports 2.5v DDR SDRAM.

I want to get dual channel ram. Can anyone tell me if they know it is guaranteed to work? Or do you need a special motherboard for dual channel?
Facts definitely welcomed and so are educated guesses too. Thanks.

Hi torrentg......

as long as your RAM sticks timings & sizes match, you'll be running ''dual channel'', the BIOS will deal with it automatically.....all motherboards that run DDR, run ''Dual channel'' (where applicable)

so ideally you want a 2gb kit (2x1gb), but its not essential.

squonksc said:

skunksmash said:

torrentg said:

I may want to up the memory on my machine from 1 GB to 2 GB which is the mainboard's maximum. It is an MS-7211 from MSI. Here is the only thing the manual says about memory:

Main Memory
• Supports two memory banks using two 184-pin DDR DIMM.
• Supports up to 2GB PC3200 (DDR400) SDRAMs.
• Supports 2.5v DDR SDRAM.

I want to get dual channel ram. Can anyone tell me if they know it is guaranteed to work? Or do you need a special motherboard for dual channel?
Facts definitely welcomed and so are educated guesses too. Thanks.

Hi torrentg......

as long as your RAM sticks timings & sizes match, you'll be running ''dual channel'', the BIOS will deal with it automatically.....all motherboards that run DDR, run ''Dual channel'' (where applicable)

so ideally you want a 2gb kit (2x1gb), but its not essential.

Note:
Even if the timings and native fsb don't match, but the sizes do, they will run in dual channel.
The faster ram stick will run at the settings of the slower one

greetz

ahh yes..... but the reason i said get matching RAM timings is b/c the timings can differ even on sticks with a matching CAS

for instance...... if you had two 1gb RAM sticks both capable of running 800mhz @ CL5, one stick might be ''5-5-5-15'' & one might be ''5-5-5-18''

this may not affect ''dual & single channel'', but these sticks wont gel well together.