Nforce dual channel question

[nathanc]

I am planning an upgrade to my elderly KT133 platform to release the potential of my XP2400.

The Abit NF7-s looks like the perfect partner, coupled with 1gb of memory that will do 220, but there is one problem to my plan - I cannot afford to purchase 1gb of memory straight away.

Ideally I would like to buy 2 256mb sticks now, then add a stick of 512 when I can afford to do so.

Assuming that all three sticks were the same speed and latency would the board operate in dual channel mode?

If not how would a single stick of 512mb compare to 2 256mb sticks in dual channel mode?

 

[Krueger81]

you probably will not be able to tell the difference. I would recommend to save your money and get two 512 Sticks. Or make sure that you buy two of the same type whenever you do decide to buy memory. Nfroce 2 Chipsets can be very picky when it comes to Memory. Anything with Winbond Chips the Nforce 2 boards love. I myself run two PC3200 512MB Sticks with Winbond CH5 Sticks at 200 FSB.

Phil

 

[nathanc]

I guess the most sensible approach is to wait until I can afford to buy the platform I really want!

 

[MichaelD]

As Krueger81 said, if you want to do dual-channel (and you most definitely should!) the sticks need to match. IOW, either buy a matched pair, ala Corsair or Kingston, or at least buy two sticks of same speed/latency at the same time; the odds of getting two sticks from the "same batch" are much higher that way.

Perfect example:

I have an Epox 8RDA+ (original version...v.1.1, IIRC)
I have two 512mb sticks of Corsair XMS3200C2. I bought them 3 months apart however.

My board will not do dual channel at 200MHz at ANY CAS setting. My PS is more than enough (Antec Trupower 430)

However, in single channel mode,both sticks will do 215MHz CAS2

I don't know if it's the board or the sticks.