Dual+Single=Triple channel?

[ExalyThor]

Hi! In my x58 system (I know it's dated but it doesnt bottleneck my Gtx 680) I have only a dual channel kit (2x4). If I add another stick with the same specs as the other 2 (voltages, capacity, latency and frequency and brand) will it run in triple channel?

[79wjd]

Yes. It also don't have to be the same -- you could add any other 4gb stick of RAM and it would work in triple channel (all sticks would just run at the slowest speed). Technically memory isn't guaranteed to work together unless it was bit as a kit, so there's a possibility it won't be stable, but it's a very small possibility. 

[3rrant]

2 minutes ago, TheSponyX said:

Hi! In my x58 system (I know it's dated but it doesnt bottleneck my Gtx 680) I have only a dual channel kit (2x4). If I add another stick with the same specs as the other 2 (voltages, capacity, latency and frequency and brand) will it run in triple channel?

Technically they need to be "identical" for the best performance and stability, but yes you can do it this way. 

[PrimeSonic]

A quick couple Google searches confirm that the x58 platform does indeed support Triple-channel memory.

 

But like @ErrantNyles said, the memory DIMMs will need to be able to run with the same speeds and timing to really get the triple-channel working.

Ideally, have all identical DIMMs and even more ideally identical DIMMs from the same batch.

[ExalyThor]

4 minutes ago, PrimeSonic said:

A quick couple Google searches confirm that the x58 platform does indeed support Triple-channel memory.

 

But like @ErrantNyles said, the memory DIMMs will need to be able to run with the same speeds and timing to really get the triple-channel working.

Ideally, have all identical DIMMs and even more ideally identical DIMMs from the same batch.

I can get the exact same model as the other 2 I already have and apreciate all of you for not telling me to buy ryzen: I wait for ryzen 2 and this ram upgrade costs me just 10$ but I can't afford a whole new system (I'm planning to buy r7 2700 and Gtx 1070ti)

[TeamBleen]

11 minutes ago, TheSponyX said:

Hi! In my x58 system (I know it's dated but it doesnt bottleneck my Gtx 680) I have only a dual channel kit (2x4). If I add another stick with the same specs as the other 2 (voltages, capacity, latency and frequency and brand) will it run in triple channel?

hahaha. No.

If the board is a triple channel board, then reviewing the optimal memory configuration for triple channel memory will be the way to go. But if the board only supports dual channel memory, then you cannot make a dual channel board in to a triple channel board by adding 1 more memory dim. You are just running your memory in an in-common or non-recommended configuration for that board. 

Running memory in non-recommended configurations can lead to system instability or your system not booting.

Please refer to your motherboard manual for the proper and recommended memory configurations.

[79wjd]

29 minutes ago, TeamBleen said:

hahaha. No.

If the board is a triple channel board, then reviewing the optimal memory configuration for triple channel memory will be the way to go. But if the board only supports dual channel memory, then you cannot make a dual channel board in to a triple channel board by adding 1 more memory dim. You are just running your memory in an in-common or non-recommended configuration for that board. 

Running memory in non-recommended configurations can lead to system instability or your system not booting.

Please refer to your motherboard manual for the proper and recommended memory configurations.

x58 is triple channel.