Is Dual Channel worth it ?

[DealerBusts]

I am in the process of building a new P4 rig and was wondering is running the ram in dual channel really worth the price difference ? I have read that running it can lower your overhead in terms max stable overclock. I realize that benchmarks benefit from dual channel but does the system "feel" faster. I was also wondering is running the memory async bad? I will be using this system for gaming and crunching video. I've read that your system is not utilizing its full potential when running the mem on a divider. All constructive input is very much appreciated.

 

[Jeff7181]

For a P4, yes.
*EDIT* LOL... ok, I'll be a little more thorough...

You'll probably notice a difference in speed in games and other things that rely on stuff going in and out of RAM very often... running memory async isn't necessarily bad if that's the only way you can achieve a higher CPU overclock. The difference varies depending on how much more you can get out of the CPU by using a RAM divider. If you can only get 100 Mhz more, it's probably not worth running your RAM that much slower... if you can get another 400 Mhz, it probably is worth it. And no... it's not running at it's full potential... but like I said, if your RAM can't keep up with your FSB, then you have no choice.

 

[Novaric]

bump for more opinions on this...

i have a stick of 512 hyperx otw to replace my 2 sticks of Geil that i *think* were holding my OC back.

Dual channel THAT important?

Dividers = bad?

If anyone knows how high to expect to get on an IS7 witha 2.8c on a 1:1 divider, i'd appreciate that info too..

 

[stardust]

Single channel (PC3500):

UT2k3: 107fps

Dual Channel:

UT2k3 (PC3700 @ PC3500): 126fps

 

[Novaric]

i wouldn't know how much 20 framerates difference is....alot?

 

[Corporate Thug]

yes, thats a lot. btw, running dual channel is a good idea but if you dont want to pay for it a kit, just buy regular ram and run it in dual channel

 

[touchmyichi]

Its a nice little bonus boost for athlon owners, but it makes a large difference for p4 owners.

 

[DealerBusts]

Well I finally got the parts in and runnin the rig in dual channel the best I can muster is 200 mhz @ 1:1, but async I can hit 275 at 3:2 for 3300 mhz mem at 183 on a 2.4c P4. I think I need to invest in some better memory so I can really reap the benefits of what this chip'll do. The board is an Is7 with newest bios from abit and everything else is quality,vantec aeroflow, antec trueblue 480, seagate 80gb sata, radeon 9500 pro, etc. The ram i did the 275 @ is geil pc 2700. I am leaning towards Geil seems like a good value, I've read Corsair XMS is better but I'm not about to pay thru the nose for it. I have a stick of Wintec Ind. pc3200 but i think this board doesn't like it so looks like I'll slap it in my 8RDA+ when it gets back from rma. Thanx for the input guys I'll keep ya posted with a follow up when I get the new ram.

 

[bgeh]

buffalo and kington's hyperx are also fine

 

[orion7144]

OCZ memory is workign good too. And the techsupport is A+.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: orion7144
OCZ memory is workign good too. And the techsupport is A+.

i think OCZ is top dawg in the memory business right now...

 

[tbates757]

Originally posted by: shady06

Originally posted by: orion7144
OCZ memory is workign good too. And the techsupport is A+.

i think OCZ is top dawg in the memory business right now...

I second that, it's really amazing how OCZ has turned around

 

[Fugifighter]

I was running one stick for a while on an Asus A7N8X non delux and then i finally got another stick of ram. The biggest difference I noticed was that when i was Un raring stuff, it was almost twice as fast as before. just my 2 cents.

fugi