DDR2 RAM Single Channel Or Dual Channel Better?

Question

I have 2 pieces of Kingston ram 2gb x2. (im talking about desktop) when i put both in, it runs in dual channel. BUT my computer is using windows xp professional service pack 3 (32bit). It only support up to 3gb of ram. but the problem is when i put 2 pieces, my computer crashes randomly (NTOSKRNL) crashes. then i took out 1 piece of ram and now it runs in single channel and it is not crashing anymore. but i find than my computer reacts slower. cause it is running in single channel. what should i do? put 2pieces ram and let it crash randomly? or put 1piece ram and react slower than 2pieces of ram. I WAN DUAL CHANNEL!

Answer 1

I assume you tried running single channel with both sticks in one at a time to insure one stick isn't bad? Try configuring the ram in the bios. Make sure you have the factory specs as far as voltage, latency and clock speed. Try loosening the latency up.(bigger numbers). Maybe try just making the CAS(first number) one bigger. Kingston is know to have compatibility issues with some boards. May want to see if its on the certified list for your board. If you have 4 slots for ram try the other 2 slots. I also assume you have one stick in each channel and not accidently putting them both in the same channel. May want to look at the bios updates for your board and see if any updates are for "memory compatibility". Should be 2 identical sticks .Nothing special about "dual channel" memory. All that means is that they are 2 exact same sticks. If you bought 2 identical single packaged sticks you'd have "dual channel" . They just put 2 identical sticks in a kit then call it dual channel. Numbers on dual channel sticks is the same as it is on a single stick of the same ram. Sounds like another Kingston compatibility issue. If you just bought it you may want to take it back and exchange it for some Corsair.

Answer 2

once you run twin channel ram configurations the motherboard instruments optimal timings for the ram, to be in twin channel mode. in case you have say, 4 DDR2 ram slots, 2 getting used to run twin channel ram synchronously, then including yet another stick of ram into an open slot working asynchronously will harm the overall performance of your different 2 sticks of ram. akin to working RAID set united statesfor no longer common drives, working sticks of ram is suitable executed with matched instruments. or you are going to lose means from the bigger/swifter factor. Plopping the the only channel in alongside the twin, you will finally end up someplace in the midst of working twin channel and single channels, yet you will finally end up with a bigger ram buffer for greater purposes of direction. in case you are able to, upload one extra stick of ram which will make the two pairs run synchronously and get you the main out of your pc(assuming they're all rated for the comparable FSB speed)

Answer 3

This my be a motherboard issue go to your manufacturer's site and ck your motherboard stats also are both ram sticks dual channel?

Answer 4

Does your motherboard have multiple slots? Try using a different slot for your second stick.



Or it could be a bad stick of RAM. Try another one.

Answer 5

Sounds like the card causing the crashes is faulty. Try using only that one to check.