PC Peripherals Do the RAM sticks have to be matched?

Status
Not open for further replies.
L

lastguyonthenet

Inactive
Contributor
I am getting 2 X 1GB Transcend 800 Mhz RAM for my system. Do they come in a set or do I just get two individual sticks?
While going through the forums I have often come acrosss RAM discussions referring to matching RAM sticks for dual channel operation. Does it apply to these Transcend sticks too or are they just available for performance range RAMs?

Thanks
 
generally,it's advisable to use a matched pair of ram sticks for a dual-channel setups..that's why you have ram kits !

but then unmatched ram sticks can run perfectly in single-channel mode if not dual..

In your case,it doesn't matter if you buy two separate Transcend sticks or a 2GB kit as both of them will be the same 1GB 800Mhz(generic) stick unless the kit features sticks of higher speed/latency!

JUST GET YOURSELF A KIT,IF AVAILABLE !
 
I am running two individually bought 1 GB sticks without any issues, still its a better practice to buy a kit.
 
I have tried entire different two sticks for dual channel mode..

1.Kingston DDR 800 1GB

2.Simtronics DDR 633 512MB

well both running in dual channel with 633Mhz 128bit mode.So where the idea of buying kit\identical sticks stands.
 
Well, if you intend to overclock a lot etc then its better to have a matched pair. Lesser chance of instability due to RAM mismatch issues, one stick not being ale to take higher speeds etc. Otherwise stock ones are fine.
 
usually you dont get instabilities...the only point is that both will run at identical speeds and timings so one may OC while the other may not
 
techie_007 said:
Well, if you intend to overclock a lot etc then its better to have a matched pair. Lesser chance of instability due to RAM mismatch issues, one stick not being ale to take higher speeds etc. Otherwise stock ones are fine.
Click to expand...

yes OC could be issue with unmatched sticks...
 
Hey,

Dual channel won't work if u buy just two sticks which are different even if they are from the same brand or the same speed.

Say for example, u get just 2 Transcend DDR2 800MHz RAM sticks seeing the label DDR2 800 on top of both the RAMs. U bring them home and run them. They do run but when u check whether they are in dual channel or not...Boom, they are running in single channel. Ask me why?

Because u mite not have realized they would be 1 double sided RAM and the other single sided. I don't know how every1 missed this but i got it...:bleh:

A double sided RAM and a single sided RAm would never run in dual channel mode. While buying Transcend sticks, just check that on the back, there is something like "128x8" or "64x8" after the timings 5-5-5(usually).
64x8 = Double Sided
128x8 = Single Sided

So, if u want maximum overclockability and dual channel mode, just ensure both RAMs are same sided.
Rest assured u don't need any matched pair to buy spending more...:ohyeah:

Hope it helps...:)
 
Don't have much idea regarding the performance difference between SS and DS but feel it should be the same.

However,since the double sided have less denser chips spreaded on both the sides the heat issue should be less while in Single sided, chips are denser and all are on stacked on one side so, heat should be an issue in case of extreme overclocking.
However, i don't have any facts to prove the above. It's just my personal opinion. :)
 
^^double sided are 64X16 or 128X8 ... since they have to be same capacity :)

and generally, double sided rams overclock better and also perform better by a really small margin

lower density is always better for overclocking...thats why you dont see insanely fast 4 gb kits on the market
 
_pappu_ said:
^^double sided are 64X16 or 128X8 ... since they have to be same capacity :)
Click to expand...

Double sided should be actually 64x16 but as mentioned on the packaging, it's 64x8 and 128x8, probably they are referring to only one side. :) U won't find 64x16.
I have 4 sticks and all have 64x8 written on the packaging.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom