Will One stick of ram work

[Shmuel_06]

Hi I’m wondering if one stick of ram will still work in a dual memory channel thx

[minibois]

Do you have a stick of memory already installed and are you adding some or...?

 

One stick of RaM alone will be single channel memory, which will work, but nowadays (especially certain CPU platforms) way prefer dual channel for the added throughput bonus.

[Shmuel_06]

1 hour ago, Minibois said:

Do you have a stick of memory already installed and are you adding some or...?

 

One stick of RaM alone will be single channel memory, which will work, but nowadays (especially certain CPU platforms) way prefer dual channel for the added throughput bonus.

No I’m building my first pc and I’ve got everything else sorted out but it would save me a bunch of money if I just installed one stick of ram

 

[minibois]

Just now, Shmuel_06 said:

No I’m building my first pc and I’ve got everything else sorted out but it would save me a bunch of money if I just installed one stick of ram

It can work, but a single stick of memory is called single channel.

The question kind of weirded me out, because you were talking about one stick of memory and dual channel.

That is like saying 'can my car have four wheel drive when it has two wheels'. It just doesnt match up..

 

Anyways, having said that: yes, you can use a PC with only one stick of memory (and later add an additional stick for dual channel), you just don't get the benefits dual channel gives you, which might not matter or cost you quite a bit of performance nowadays.

 

I would suggest liking up some dual channel vs single channel benchmarks/tests for the CPU you're getting to see how much - if at all - it matters.

[paulmohr]

It will work. I assume you are short on cash and are going to get one stick of ram for now and then get another later? If that is the case yes it will work, do what you have to. And you don't need to get matched sets of ram like they sell in the kits. Just get a stick to get it up and running then get another later when you can afford it. I would suggest getting the same model number though. You can mix and match ram if you have to but I wouldn't suggest it.

 

It is faster if you have two though because it will run in dual channel and double the speed. Enough that you will notice? Maybe, maybe not, depends on what you are doing with it.

 

I wouldn't just put one stick of ram in and leave it that way though. You would be better off getting two stick of cheaper ram. It would work, but it just seems like kind of a shame to cut your ram speed in half like that.

[paulmohr]

Sorry I didn't see minibios post, I literally said the same thing he did lol.

[Shmuel_06]

Thx both of u for helping me out I really appreciate it, btw sorry I meant to say if one stick will work if u have 2 slots not if it will work in a dual memory channel lol

[LienusLateTips]

46 minutes ago, Shmuel_06 said:

Thx both of u for helping me out I really appreciate it, btw sorry I meant to say if one stick will work if u have 2 slots not if it will work in a dual memory channel lol

Yeah it'll even work in 4 slots.

 

Have fun building

[MadmanRB]

I would still do dual channel, especially if you are going for AMD right now.

single channel would choke Ryzens infinity fabric.

Sure i understand trying to save a penny but dual channel is better then single