Dual channel memory revisited

Ok, I posted a question a couple of days ago about mixing different brands and makes of RAM and maintaining dual channel function of the RAM. It seemed that the general thought was that Ram should be from the same manufacturer and the same exact product number, an exact twin of each other to maintain the dual channel function.

I talked with the tech support at Kingston and he said that to be dual channel it had to be an exact same matched pair. Two different brand names would be compatible to work, but it just wouldn't be dual channel unless it was exactly the same brands. He said the difference in dual channel vs not dual would be undetectable to a human being, he said it would be a nanosecond in speed difference.

Today I was talking about to Lenovo about my order and I asked about their RAM manufacturers, My question to them was if I ordered RAM from them separate as a part could it be manufactured by two different makers, for example since their RAM is made by different third party manufacturers could you get one installed in your machine that is made by say Micron and order one a month later that is the same part number but made by say Kingston? Which would equal two IBM RAM sticks with 2 different makers and the loss of dual channel function. The sales rep said that was only with the old RAM the new RAM it didn't matter you could mix and match anything, brand name, speed, whatever and it would all be OK with this new stuff.

I don't know about that answer, it sounded like a salesman answer. At any rate I'm still confused on the topic. I will have to think at this point that one would prefer the matching set rather than mixing them, but any thoughts would be welcomed.

Thanks for the help

 

I would stop worrying about dual channel and concentrate your thinking on finding good RAM at a good price. Look for CL=4 at 667MHz. But this would need to be both modules, otherwise your RAM will run at the speed of the slower module.

John

 

Agreed. Dual Channel grain so little performance, it is not worth it.

JC

 

"The sales rep said that was only with the old RAM the new RAM it didn't matter you could mix and match anything, brand name, speed, whatever and it would all be OK with this new stuff."
That is not a lie, the machine will be OK, if you mix ddr2 533 and ddr2 667 (different brands, ect. V / CAS is the same normally will boot) - that doesn't mean that it will be dual channel - Now if he specifically said that if you mix the two brands speeds and you will still get dual channel, I would disagree with him and go with he is using salesman answer.
Now if you are able to find ram that matches the other stick completely, I dont see why it wouldn't be Dual Channel, since they are exactly the same. I know Kingston sells dual channel kits and I think that is why they gave you that answer, that it must be the exact same manf. as well. For the best speed/performance results possible, you should get exactly matching sticks / a dual channel kit.