Anyone know if tri channel kits work in dual channel mode? Just in case I snag a tri channel kit for my am3 setup(eventually)

Yeah they will do, all a Tri-Channel kit is, is a matched trio, like dual channel is a matched pair.

So you could buy these and just run two sticks :)

i want 4gb sticks argggg

by: alexp999

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Yeah they will do, all a Tri-Channel kit is, is a matched trio, like dual channel is a matched pair.

So you could buy these and just run two sticks :)

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I don't think that's 100% true for all kits, maybe I'm thinking about 3 mismatched sticks.. I know a 4(2x2)gb kit + another 2gb stick wont work.

by: ShadowFold

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I know a 4(2x2)gb kit + another 2gb stick wont work.

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I know that, I'm confused what you mean, in the rest of the post :confused:

I've never seen anyone run a tri channel kit in dual channel mode.. Unless you have, I haven't really been watching any i7 threads. I might have to try this out with a DFI 790FX.

Like I say there is nothing special about the sticks, but the mobo cant run in Tri-Channel mode unless all the chips are the same.

So when you buy a Dual channel kit, the sticks are made identical

Tri channel kit all three are identical. There is actually nothing done to the memory to make it Dual or Tri channel, it is the memory controller which runs dual/tri/single

Why dont you get the OCZ Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz low voltage kit which is ment for the AM3 ?
I am waiting for those for my rig.

I'm surprised the timings aren't better here. Unlike some of their legendary DDR2 kits, it seems as though they did not use higher end IC's.

In any case these 1333MHz kits should be able to go up to 1600MHz which is nothing extreme.

These are only the Elites, so they basically run at efficient speeds with good ICs, but are not that overclockable compared to their Xtreem series (which are made to be stressed out).

I've got a pair of Team Elite DDR2-800s running stock for the past year with no problems.

by: ShadowFold

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I don't think that's 100% true for all kits, maybe I'm thinking about 3 mismatched sticks.. I know a 4(2x2)gb kit + another 2gb stick wont work.

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Let me put it this way: if one buys 2 isolated sticks (same model), there's no guarantee they'll be able to run in dual channel, which is why one buys a kit of 2 or 3 sticks because those are guaranteed to run dual or triple channel by the manufacturer.

If one buys a triple channel kit, i can be run in single, dual or triple channel (unless board doesn't support triple channel, ofc).

Hope i explained it right.

In order to run in Dual Channel you would need to leave one of the three sticks out.

by: ShadowFold

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I don't think that's 100% true for all kits, maybe I'm thinking about 3 mismatched sticks.. I know a 4(2x2)gb kit + another 2gb stick wont work.

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you can put any group of 3x2GB together for tri channel i did it on freaksaviors X58 just fine on a P6T and DFI X58

Yep, depending on the memory controller and board quality just about any similar memory will work as dual (or tri). I have week 30/07 and week 33/07 paired.

Of course it's best to have same memory as pair or triple, dual or triple-channel kits don't really bring nothing else than higher price or price reduction if single stick are rare.

Then there are boards, where 4 sticks of any memory won't work. Or boards where only one make memory works or memory stick that only work with some boards. But those were mostly DDR times, DDR2 has been very problem free for me.

Don't know about DDR3 though as we go back to CPU integrated memory controllers. Although with current motherboard prices, it's cheaper to get a new CPU with newer memory controller than it is to buy a new motherboard :p

DDR3 P45/790i etc boards dont have the MCH in the CPU :)

by: alexp999

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DDR3 P45/790i etc boards dont have the MCH in the CPU :)

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Ah yes, went too general again :)

Oh and forgot, used to run Kingston HyperX's in dual channel. Thing was I had 2x256MB + 1x512MB and the 256MB modules were 2 years older :D Worked just fine 2-2-2-5 and the 2x256MB wasn't a kit either.