How To Change Ram To Dual Channel

Two matching RAM memory sticks. — BonD80 / Shutterstock

Computer-building guides frequently tell you to run your PC's RAM in "dual-aqueduct" manner. What exactly does that mean, and how does it benefit your system? Read on to observe out.

What Is Dual-Channel?

To explain dual-channel retentiveness, starting time, we need to explain what random access retention (or RAM) does. RAM is where recently accessed applications and files store short-term data. For example, if yous have a web browser open on your device right now, the information for this website is being stored in the RAM modules. Therefore, having more than RAM allows you to keep more applications open at the aforementioned time without things slowing down.

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This data is accessed by your processing unit (or CPU) using memory channels. These memory channels are paths of communication that allow your computer to admission the information that'south temporarily stored on your RAM. Therefore, having more than of these memory channels tin can brand accessing this data faster.

Dual-channel memory is a technology that uses ii memory channels to increase the rate of transfer betwixt your computer's retentiveness and the CPU. In dual-aqueduct mode, two RAM sticks communicate simultaneously on dissever channels to operate your figurer and run programs significantly faster.

Therefore, running in dual-channel retentivity will provide a significant performance heave to your PC, regardless of the actual size of your RAM. For example, in near cases, two 4GB sticks of memory running in dual-channel way will likely outperform a single 8GB stick of memory in single-aqueduct manner.

Getting Dual-Channel Retention

Matching RAM slots on a motherboard. — Veerapong Takonok / Shutterstock

Running in dual-channel mode is dependent on your reckoner'southward motherboard. To run in dual-channel mode, a motherboard needs to have ii matching slots that support dual-channel mode together. Fortunately, well-nigh mod motherboards back up this feature, with many even having helpful color-coding or enumeration to tell a PC builder where to insert the sticks.

If a motherboard has more than 2 slots, they usually come in dual-channel pairs. For example, a board with four slots will accept two distinct pairs of dual-channel memory slots, which are oftentimes placed i slot away from each other. For more information on this, consult with your motherboard's manufacturer.

Dual-channel retentivity doesn't have much to do with the brand or type of RAM that you lot buy. It works with nearly all brands of recently fabricated memory from most manufacturers. What's more important is that the memory sticks lucifer each other in terms of capacity (number of GBs), speed, and latency, as they might non run optimally otherwise. To minimize confusion, companies that produce RAM will often sell them in kits of two identical sticks.

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Quadruple-Channel Memory?

If dual-channel provides a performance upgrade, then running in more channels is fifty-fifty improve. Sticks running in triple-aqueduct and quadruple-channel retentivity provide noticeable performance upgrades over dual-channel. However, the difference might not be equally dramatic as the increase from unmarried to dual.

Currently, only a limited number of top-finish CPUs and motherboards support triple- and quad-channel mode. To check whether your PC can do good from quad-channel mode, consult with your device's manufacturer.

A Quick and Easy Upgrade for Laptops

a stick of memory

Similar desktops, laptops also do good significantly from dual-channel retention. Present, many laptops come with a unmarried stick of memory just have a second RAM slot available for upgrading to dual-channel retentiveness. If you experience like your device is slowing down when you have too many open programs, this tin can exist a quick, affordable, and like shooting fish in a barrel way to upgrade your laptop's operation significantly. Not simply do you double the corporeality of memory, just you also get all the speed benefits of running in dual-channel.

Laptops oft accept what'southward called a small outline dual in-line retentiveness module or SODIMM. These sticks are much smaller than their desktop counterparts and come in many models and part types. Installing the stick is a straightforward process that involves removing the backplate, looking for the SODIMM slot, and inserting the stick. For more information, check out our guide on installing new memory.

To ensure compatibility, we suggest getting the verbal same model, size, and speed of retention as the one in your laptop if you lot're upgrading information technology. If y'all're non sure what type of retention you have, read our guide on checking what the model of your RAM stick is. Alternatively, if the stick in your laptop is not soldered to the motherboard, you can too swap the stick already in your notebook and add 2 new sticks in its place.

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