I have just ordered a new MB and a Athlon 64 3200+ . I wonder how much difference does it make (in FS9) to use double channel memory compared to just ordinary memory (everything else being equal)?I now have 1 512M Samsung 400 MHz1 1 256M Samsung 1 256M Apacer 333 MHz. The Asus support told me that I won't be able to use dual channel because of different brands. If I get a new 512M Samsung 400MHz is it best to only use the two 512M Samsung to get dual channel at 400 MHz or to use all memory and get 1.5 Gb but without dual channel and only 333 MHz? I have heard that the difference between 400 and 333 is only a few percent.

If it were just dual channel versus single, I'd say don't worry about it, but the 333MHz memory will hold your system back much more than the couple of percent that single channel would penalise you. Also, FS + multiple addons runs very nicely with 1GB RAM, so there is no pressing need to have 1.5GB anyway (for FS that is).As such, my recommendation is to take the 2x512MB 400MHz option and sell your 512MB 333MHz.Gary

Hi; The figures I've seen from Asus are about 5 percent for dual channel. Also in Bios on most Asus boards you can set FSB and memory speeds independent of each other. As MCP indicated anything over 1 gig isoverkill for FS9, and assuming 30 FPS you're only going to see 1.5 FPSincrease using dual channel. DNProfessional Tourist

Do a search in this forum for Corsair, kingston etc for the problems encountered running dual channel memory, even with matched pair modules. If you are just going to add a second 512M generic module they may only run as single ch or you may have to set the ratio to run them slower.Andy

> The figures I've seen from Asus are about 5 percent for dual>channel.>How is that possible? Are you certain it's not 400MHz vs 333 MHz these figures refers to?Shouldn't dual channel in theory give 100% more? I think I have heard 60% but I might be mistaken.

>Do a search in this forum for Corsair, kingston etc for the>problems encountered running dual channel memory, even with>matched pair modules. If you are just going to add a second>512M generic module they may only run as single ch or you may>have to set the ratio to run them slower.>Soon I will find out. After writing message I will switch of my computer and replace my MB. I have ordered a second Samsung 512M module. Until then I will first use my current 512M Samsung module together with my older 333 MHz. When the new memory arrives I can use 1 Gb Samsung 400 MHz and see.Are you suggesting that dual channel does not always work even if it's supposed to do?If so I might as well continue use my older memory.

Well Sir; It had been a while since I researched this for my own use so I checked Kingstons site and found the following. While you do get 100 percent improvement in memory bandwidth goingfrom single to dual channel, it only translated to a 15 percent increase in results in thier 3D benchmark. In addition for somereason they chose to use 256MB in single stage vs 512MB in dual.When they used a game benchmark, Quake 3 Arena, the difference between PC2700 256MB single channel and 1 Gig of PC3200 dual channel was lessthan 5 FPS which I doubt you'd notice. In addition, in all the benchmarks I've seen using FS9 as well asDoom..Quake3..Far Cry ect, FS9 showed WAY lower FPS than the otherswhich would result in less difference. Now I'm a long way from being an expert on this..like Will Rogerssaid "All I know is what I read". DennyProfessional Tourist

At any rate my old 333 MHz memory didn't work with my new MB. I got overclock failed error message. After removing them I still got the same message. I had toload bios with default values to cure the problem.