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    4 GB (2 x 2GB) RAM in vista 32 bit. Dual chanel? yes or no?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Duke2007, Jul 18, 2008.

  1. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    Hi All, I'm from the Sony forums and have a question for you guys/ladies.

    I purchased ram 2 sticks of 2GB PC6400 ddr2 800 mhz for my new montevina based VAIO.

    Seeing that probably only 3.25 GB will be used, Will any of this ram run in dual channel?

    I will have a 1 stick of 1 GB ram already shipped with my VAIO, by the way.Sony wanted to charge me 50 bucks to upgrade from 1 GB to 2GB. I bought my 4 GB ram for nearly 65 dollars after rebates. Screw Sony's greediness.

    However, I do make music on my laptop and game occasionally. Would the 4 GB (I KNOW vista 32 doesn't use all of the 4 Gb) still be of some benefit or did I just blow 65 bucks?

    thanks!
     
    Duke2007, Jul 18, 2008
    #1
  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    You can expect to see dual channel performance. See this thread.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jul 18, 2008
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  3. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    Hi john, I actually skimmed through that earlier and didn't find what i was looking for. could you maybe copy/paste what i might have missed?

    sorry and thanks!
     
    Duke2007, Jul 18, 2008
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  4. royk50

    royk50 times being what they are

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    just download cpuid cpuz
    run it
    go to the memory tab
    channels # dual = you are good
     
    royk50, Jul 18, 2008
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  5. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    With the modern chipsets any 2 modules will give dual channel.

    Vista will use any spare RAM (up to the 3.2GB limit) for SuperFetch, whereby it pre-loads files it thinks you will use into the RAM. Once Vista's figured out your usage habits this means you favorite applications load much faster because they are already in RAM and don't have to be fetched from the HDD.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jul 18, 2008
    #5
  6. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    1 stick - Single channel
    2 unequal sticks - Asymetrical dual channel
    2 equal size sticks - Symetrical (true) dual channel
     
    flipfire, Jul 18, 2008
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  7. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    It will identify the RAM from each stick equally until it reaches it's max (3.25?) so yes dual channel.
     
    powerpack, Jul 18, 2008
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