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    # of Memory Channels

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by SantaClaws, Jul 27, 2012.

  1. SantaClaws

    SantaClaws Newbie

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    Alright, quick backstory.
    I recently bought the i7 3920XM processor for my laptop (big overkill I know), but it was basicly a steal. Yesterday, I decided to upgrade my RAM aswell, so I bought an additional 8Gb RAM, that I planned to install in my 3rd and 4th spot in my P170em Clevo machine.
    Today however, I stumbled upon this page:
    Intel® Core
    And I notice it sais
    # of Memory Channels: 2

    TL.DR -

    My question is; what does "# of Memory Channels: 2", mean exactly? Does it mean that the processor only supports 2 RAM blocks at a time? Or can I install 4 in my machine?

    -Santa
     
    SantaClaws, Jul 27, 2012
    #1
  2. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    No, you can have a two channel memory controller and still have 4 (or more) sockets - just make sure that they are matched with identical (capacity, at least) Sodimms to ensure that all your RAM is in dual channel configuration.

    To make sure you don't mismatch the sticks in the sockets - make sure that all 4 Sodimms are identical.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Jul 27, 2012
    #2
  3. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Two sockets are wired to one controller, that's how they can do that. And yes, best to get a matched pair per set of slots. Ideally same for all four but not really necessary.
     
    HTWingNut, Jul 27, 2012
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  4. NA1NSXR

    NA1NSXR Notebook Guru

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    It just means the system reads from two channels...those channels can comprise of two or more slots each. More RAM isn't really an upgrade though...if you already had 8GB...I have been using 6GB for 4 years now and on the desktop doing mundane everyday things I always have about 3.5GB free and in games it never really gets close to using it all. I'd try to get faster RAM for a couple more % performance or just not have upgraded at all.
     
    NA1NSXR, Jul 30, 2012
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  5. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Without knowing how the system is used, you can't say 'more RAM isn't really an upgrade' just because your usage model works within a 6GB memory capacity.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Jul 30, 2012
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