RAM - dual into triple

Takaharu · Aug 15, 2011, 11:02 AM

I've come into a need for extra RAM. 24GB is my aim; I have a few things (eg: VMs) that take up lots of RAM and, being the price that it is, I figured why not go the whole hog? Also, if my other half ever needs to use my PC for rendering... well, I think it'd be fast enough.
I've sold a few spare components to make up the money so as far as saving's concerned, I'm not actually spending anything extra

My question is this - can I use dual-channel memory packs in triple channel?
I've looked over the prices of memory and I've worked out that 3 dual-channel packs are significantly cheaper than 2 triple-channel packs (£135 G-Skill RipJaws vs £140 HyperX XMP, both 1600MHz CAS 9). Is there any difference?
My betting is no but I thought I'd check.

IvanV · Aug 15, 2011, 12:37 PM

There really shouldn't be any problem, you're getting three pairs of identical modules, so you should be fine. There's always the off chance that the three pairs aren't absolutely, 100% identical and that, in combination with a really picky board, might mean trouble, but that's really, really unlikely (besides, two triple channel kits might not be 100% identical either, add one really picky board and you've got the same thing; but the probabilities of both events are very close to zero).

Takaharu · Aug 15, 2011, 05:05 PM

Thanks for the clarification; it's just what I thought. I'll post pics

Judas · Aug 16, 2011, 09:09 PM

Actually i've been using Dual channel kits for ALL of the triple channel boards.... even mixing several brands and timings/speeds out of interest and testing..

My recent purchase is some Patriot Viper Extreme District 2 1600mhz PC12800 ram.... i bought 3 kits and am running 24gb in the machine with no issues ASIDE From that gaud damn Solid State Drive crash problem UNRELATED to the memory.

Takaharu · Aug 16, 2011, 10:45 PM

Note - never look back when buying something.
I went to show somebody today the RAM that I'd ordered and I found that it had gone down by £3 per pack. That's £9 I could've saved >.< The payment's been processed and the RAM hasn't been despatched yet. That's just danged annoying. I can't be bothered to cancel & re-order but dang.

Judas · Aug 16, 2011, 11:30 PM

tell me about it when you order up a few high end video cards and the moment you finish the order before it ships.... they announce a near 150 dollar drop and they won't accept the change in price to previously processed orders.

3x of the video cards..... $450 bucks potentially saved if i had waited 24 hours or so

Aug 15, 2011, 11:02 AM	#1
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,850 Rep Power: 113 System Specs	RAM - dual into triple I've come into a need for extra RAM. 24GB is my aim; I have a few things (eg: VMs) that take up lots of RAM and, being the price that it is, I figured why not go the whole hog? Also, if my other half ever needs to use my PC for rendering... well, I think it'd be fast enough. I've sold a few spare components to make up the money so as far as saving's concerned, I'm not actually spending anything extra My question is this - can I use dual-channel memory packs in triple channel? I've looked over the prices of memory and I've worked out that 3 dual-channel packs are significantly cheaper than 2 triple-channel packs (£135 G-Skill RipJaws vs £140 HyperX XMP, both 1600MHz CAS 9). Is there any difference? My betting is no but I thought I'd check. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Aug 15, 2011, 12:37 PM	#2
IvanV HH Assassin Guild Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,914 Rep Power: 333 System Specs	Re: RAM - dual into triple There really shouldn't be any problem, you're getting three pairs of identical modules, so you should be fine. There's always the off chance that the three pairs aren't absolutely, 100% identical and that, in combination with a really picky board, might mean trouble, but that's really, really unlikely (besides, two triple channel kits might not be 100% identical either, add one really picky board and you've got the same thing; but the probabilities of both events are very close to zero). __________________ If anyone has Portal 2 and hasn't played the co-op and wants to do me a favour, let me know (PM me or whatever).

Aug 15, 2011, 05:05 PM	Thread Starter #3
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,850 Rep Power: 113 System Specs	Re: RAM - dual into triple Thanks for the clarification; it's just what I thought. I'll post pics __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Aug 16, 2011, 10:45 PM	Thread Starter #5
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,850 Rep Power: 113 System Specs	Re: RAM - dual into triple Note - never look back when buying something. I went to show somebody today the RAM that I'd ordered and I found that it had gone down by £3 per pack. That's £9 I could've saved >.< The payment's been processed and the RAM hasn't been despatched yet. That's just danged annoying. I can't be bothered to cancel & re-order but dang. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details