Is Dual Channel DDR2 matter of channel or specific ram stick?

Just wandering of buying DDR2 sticks from newegg for memory upgrading.

1st, what's the different between Dual Channel Kit and two individual sticks. For example, one pack of dual channel kit could be expensive than two sticks, but what make this diffenent on performance wise?

2nd, DDR2 667 seems to be everyone dream before 800 comes. But some of RAM has timing stay in 5-5-5-12 and others don't. Would this means these memory only perform well under this timing restrict, and others who don't have this restriction will not so picky from system to system?

 

If you want true dual channel your memory needs to be the same size (IE 1GB) and needs to have the same cas latency. Other than that it's nice to have the same brand, but not always necessary to achieve dual channeling.

 

Well, my plan is to buy two exact identical sticks. Even though, it is still cheaper than dual channel kit. I guess your answer doesn't clear my confusing.

 

I asked the same question in this thread.

The basic answer is that dual channel has more to do with the motherboard than the RAM itself. While some stores and RAM manufacturers will sell RAM branded as "Dual Channel," it is not necessary that the memory you buy is listed that way. It's just a matter of labeling. Get two identical sticks of whatever works in your computer and, if the computer itself supports dual channel, it will work in dual channel.

As to your other question, I'm not really sure about the timing question, but I'd be curious to see the answer as well.

Hope that helps.

 

Yeah, dual channel should be provided through either northbridge or CPU. But the timing is really confusing at DDR2 677. Seems 533 is more relaxed and been accepted in lot of brand. 677 seems not working so smooth as 533 does.

 

If you are buying a laptop with integrated graphics, then the extra speed and bandwidth provided by 667MHz RAM might be useful. As for dual channel, all you need is 2 sticks of the same size, the DC sticks as I mentioned in the other thread are nothing special. Although if you buy them from the same manufacturer, compatibility with each other is better.

 

huh??? What is DC?

 

I meant DC (dual channel) sticks.

 

OK, here are what I found from AMD testing result. Although they don't mention Turion, but I guess they should be save for you guys who want to upgrad your memory especially to 677.
DDR2 Compatible Table for Athlon X2

DDR2 Compatible Table for Sempron

Most other 677 manufactor test their memory against Intel FSB, AMD doesn't have much support right now. My feeling is 677(5400) might be safe.

The cheapest one I can find is : Aeneon The datasheet and part number is compatible with Qimonda HYS64T128020HU-3-B