Ram Dual Channel or Single Channel

[100Coogn]

Just got 2 new sticks of RAM today. Nothing special, 2 x 2 GB G-Skill.  I have an M3A76-CM motherboard.  Should I run this memory in single or dual channel?    
Just trying to squeeze every ounce of performance out of this old PC.
Thanks for any help.

OS:   Vista Home Premium 32 Bit
CPU: AMD Phenom II Quad Core B/E
GPU  EVGA GTS-250
RAM: 4GB G-Skill

Coogan  

[JTs]

due to the limits of a 32bit os it wont see all 4gb of memory. dual channel is faster.

[RTHolmes]

your mobo manual will tell you ... RTFM!

[100Coogn]

due to the limits of a 32bit os it wont see all 4gb of memory. dual channel is faster.

Thanks JTs, appreciate the feedback.

RTHolmes, not so much.   

Coogan

[AAJagerX]

A 32 bit OS will recognize a maximum of 4 GB of ram.  Run it in dual channel if your MB is set up for it.  

EDIT:  Your MB is set up for dual channel.  Run it in dual.  Much better performance.  I'd be surprised if it didn't automatically run in dual channel when you install the two sticks, btw.

You'll see "memory runs in dual channel" in the boot screen on startup.

[100Coogn]

A 32 bit OS will recognize a maximum of 4 GB of ram.  Run it in dual channel if your MB is set up for it.  

EDIT:  Your MB is set up for dual channel.  Run it in dual.  Much better performance.  I'd be surprised if it didn't automatically run in dual channel when you install the two sticks, btw.

You'll see "memory runs in dual channel" in the boot screen on startup.

My board has 4 memory slots.  Two are black and two are yellow.  When I put one stick in black and one in yellow, it stated that I'm running in Single Channel.  When I moved both sticks to
the same colored slots, I then was running in Dual Channel.  That's where I was a little confused.  I don't know the difference between the two, but after further research it appears you are
correct.  Dual is what I should be using.

Thanx
Coogan 

[Masherbrum]

My board has 4 memory slots.  Two are black and two are yellow.  When I put one stick in black and one in yellow, it stated that I'm running in Single Channel.  When I moved both sticks to
the same colored slots, I then was running in Dual Channel.  That's where I was a little confused.  I don't know the difference between the two, but after further research it appears you are
correct.  Dual is what I should be using.

Thanx
Coogan  

Correct Coog.   Use the "like colored slots" for Dual.

[guncrasher]

what happens is that most ram runs in the "matching" slots.  it's either 1 and 3 or 2 and 4.  if you put ram in slots 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 then it disregards the second slot and only use either 1 or 3.

some mobos are picky and will only let you install 2 sticks in slots 1 and 3 when using only 2 sticks but will fail if installed in slots 2 and 4 only.   slots 2 and 4 are reserved for when you buy 4 sticks of ram.

that's why you have color coded ram slots.  if you have two then you must installed them on the matching color.   be aware that if you were to get another pair and install it (assuming of course your mobo can handle them)  then installed the matching pairs in the same color coded ram slots.  by matching pairs I mean the 2 sticks that you bought together in the same package.  never buy 2 or more sticks that come in different packages as these will not be matched to each other and there's always a chance that they may not play well together.  however you can buy 2 sets of 2 to use all 4 ram slots, assuming of course your mobo can handle them.  but even better is to buy all 4 sticks of ram in one package.  they are guaranteed to play well with each other.

I hope you understand what I wrote as I also confused myself  .

semp

[100Coogn]

Correct Coog.   Use the "like colored slots" for Dual.

Thanks for clearing my doubts.
 

what happens is that most ram runs in the "matching" slots.  it's either 1 and 3 or 2 and 4.  if you put ram in slots 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 then it disregards the second slot and only use either 1 or 3.

some mobos are picky and will only let you install 2 sticks in slots 1 and 3 when using only 2 sticks but will fail if installed in slots 2 and 4 only.   slots 2 and 4 are reserved for when you buy 4 sticks of ram.

that's why you have color coded ram slots.  if you have two then you must installed them on the matching color.   be aware that if you were to get another pair and install it (assuming of course your mobo can handle them)  then installed the matching pairs in the same color coded ram slots.  by matching pairs I mean the 2 sticks that you bought together in the same package.  never buy 2 or more sticks that come in different packages as these will not be matched to each other and there's always a chance that they may not play well together.  however you can buy 2 sets of 2 to use all 4 ram slots, assuming of course your mobo can handle them.  but even better is to buy all 4 sticks of ram in one package.  they are guaranteed to play well with each other.

I hope you understand what I wrote as I also confused myself  .

semp

Actually it makes sense.  I have had a night-cap or two though. 
  Coogan