CPU Channels

[Lilbat]

What does it really mean ?

 

For instance, i planning on upgrading my computer and i want to have a motherboard that can accept 4 memory sticks (for upgrading reasons) but only puting two RAM stciks at the first. Then i check what CPU (planning on getting a Ryzen CPU) could handle 4 sticks, but all of them says "Dual channel".

 

So can i put 4 sticks on a dual channel CPU without my computer exploding?

 

Thanks!

[Jurrunio]

dual channel means there are two synced memory lanes. You could use up to 2 sticks per channel, so with 4 sticks you're still getting dual channel.

[Lilbat]

4 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

dual channel means there are two synced memory lanes. You could use up to 2 sticks per channel, so with 4 sticks you're still getting dual channel.

Then 2 sticks is a single channel and it would still works?

[Jurrunio]

2 minutes ago, Lilbat said:

Then 2 sticks is a single channel and it would still works?

yes.

[Windows7ge]

4 minutes ago, Lilbat said:

Then 2 sticks is a single channel and it would still works?

That depends on which slots you put them in. If you populate:

 

DIMM_A1

DIMM_A2

 

Then you're still in single channel.

If you populate:

 

DIMM_A1

DIMM_B1

 

Then you're in dual channel.

The physical slots dictate weather two sticks mean you're running in Single or Dual channel.

[Lilbat]

1 minute ago, Windows7ge said:

That depends on which slots you put them in. If you populate:

 

DIMM_A1

DIMM_A2

 

Then you're still in single channel.

If you populate:

 

DIMM_A1

DIMM_B1

 

Then you're in dual channel.

The physical slots dictate weather two sticks mean you're running in Single or Dual channel.

Good to know. I would have put them in DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2

 

By the way, if i'm using two memory sticks.

 

What's the best way to put them, single or dual channel?

 

Also for my upgrade i'm planning on buying a kit of 2 sticks and later buying two more (same model), will it work fine?

 

I've heard that it may not be easy as that

[Bishop Crane]

Always go for dual channel it is noticably faster.
Your motherboard manual will tell you which slots to put the memory in when you have only 2 of the 4

For upgrading later on, if its exactly the same make and model of memory it will be perfectly fine yes.
Its only when you have what appears to be the same, but is slightly different (speed, or CAS) is where its an issue

[Windows7ge]

2 minutes ago, Lilbat said:

Good to know. I would have put them in DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2

 

By the way, if i'm using two memory sticks.

 

What's the best way to put them, single or dual channel?

 

Also for my upgrade i'm planning on buying a kit of 2 sticks and later buying two more (same model), will it work fine?

 

I've heard that it may not be easy as that

You'll want dual channel for the most performance.

 

It should. There's always the possibility with chances in chip manufacturer that buy two kits at separate times won't always yield genuinely identical sticks. They may look the same and operate at the same speeds but they may not work with each other.

 

Lucky for you this isn't a massive concern. Most likely they will work fine together but you do need to be aware that it's still a possibility that they won't.