Memory installation: is 512MB+1GB still dual channel?

I am thinking of getting a 512MB 1 Dimm from hp and buy a 1GB stick later so that I can have 1.5GB memory.

The questions are:

1. will the system still run as dual channel even though two Dimms have different amount of memory?

2. what memory brands go well with dv2000t?

 

I've always understood it that it will not be in dual channel if they have mismatching DIMMs. I'm almost 100% sure that they have to match sizes to be in dual channel, but I'm not as sure if the speed and timings have to match.

 

And if you get dual channel, you will get very little performance increase.

JC

 

Thanks for reply. I just got this from intel

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/cs-011965.htm

Rules to Enable Dual Channel Mode
To achieve Dual Channel mode, the following conditions must be met:

* Matched DIMM configuration in each channel
* Same Density (128MB, 256MB, 512MB, etc.)
* Matched in both Channel A and Channel B memory channels
* Populate symmetrical memory slots (Slot 0 or Slot 1)

Note: Configurations that do not match the above conditions will revert to Single Channel mode.

The following conditions do not need to be met:

* Same brand
* Same timing specifications
* Same DDR speed

Note: Memory channel speed is determined by the slowest DIMM module populated in the system.

So your answer is correct.

 

hmm, very little increase.

I have already known that 512MB+1GB won't make dual channel.

So which shall I opt for?

Increased memory (512MB more)
or dual channel with (512MB less)

 

If you have the new Intel 945 chipset, then these rules do not apply. Intel has worked on the chipset, so that it can actually use dirrent densities and still run the RAM in dual channel. It is called asynchronous dual channel. It is slightly different from the synchronous dual channel seen in previous chipsets, where the RAm had to be the same density. Having said that, the difference in performance is so little, its pointless to go for it in the first place.

 

I mean, if the person gets same memory size and type.

JC

 

From the reading above, I can safely conclude that I will configure a 512MB 1 Dimm stick from hp and then order a 1GB for a cheaper price from other places.

Am I right?

 

Yes, you can, as long as the RAM will work with your system.

It still should be Dual Channel, like Zero said about the 945GM chipset. However, like others have said, dual channel won't make that much difference.

 

could anyone run softsandra or memory test on dv2000t and give me the details of the memory? I want to order the same memory.