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    l502x memory upgrade - dual channel?

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by user54, Feb 5, 2013.

  1. user54

    user54 Notebook Enthusiast

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    hi all,

    i currently only have 2x2gb in my l502x and am looking at upgrading. cpu-z tells me the current ram is working dual channel. if i buy a single stick of 8gb (to allow me to add a further 8gb later if i need to ), will the memory still be performing at the same (dual channel) speed even tho there's only one stick in there? i'm presuming not.

    also, if i put one of the current 2gb sticks in there alongside the new 8gb stick, it won't be running dual channel either? or is that not how it works on laptops?

    thanks!

    gary.
     
  2. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    With 1 DIMM it won't run dual channel. With 8GB and 2GB the first 4GB will be dual channel, and the rest single.

    That being said, I wouldn't worry about dual-channel-ness at all unless you know you are being memory bandwidth limited in whatever you do. Almost all the time memory bandwidth will have no impact on what you're doing.