Thinkpads Forum

Tabook for T60 wrote:512MB or 1GB std / 4GB max31 / PC2-5300 667MHz DDR2 / non-parity / CL5 / dual channel capable / two 200-pin SO-DIMM sockets / std mem in 1 socket / 1 socket avail

Intel wrote:Enabling Dual-Channel Memory
The majority of systems supporting dual-channel memory can be configured in either single-channel or dual-channel memory mode. An important fact to keep in mind is that even if a new computer or motherboard supports dual-channel DDR memory, this does not necessarily guarantee that both memory channels are being utilized in dual-channel mode.

It is not sufficient to just plug multiple memory modules into their sockets to get dualchannel memory operation–computer users need to follow specific rules when adding memory modules to ensure that they get dual-channel memory performance. Otherwise, their system may fall back to single-channel memory mode. Why pay for a Ferrari and limit yourself to only using first gear?

Most dual-channel systems will have four memory DIMM sockets. Two sockets belong to channel A and the other two sockets to channel B. For the best dual-channel memory performance on motherboards with the Intel dualchannel DDR chipsets, you must use identically paired memory modules in DIMM sockets 0 of channel A and B. Identically paired memory modules must also be used when populating DIMM sockets 1 of channel A and B. One can, for example, plug in matching 256MB DIMMs in both DIMM 0 slots, and plug in matching 512MB DIMMs in both DIMM 1 slots.

In this context, “matching” modules means:

1. Both modules are the same capacity (e.g. both are 256MB, or 512MB)
2. Both modules are the same speed (e.g. both are PC2700 or PC3200)
3. Both have the same number of chips and module sides (e.g. both have the same number of chips on the module, and both are either single-sided or double-sided).

For the Intel platforms based upon the Intel 865 or 875 chipsets, the rules can be summarized as follows:

Ideally, with each channel limited to two DIMM sockets, a minimum of two 256MB memory modules should be used for a total memory capacity of 512MB. Only low-end, low-cost systems typically come with a pair of 128MB modules. These 128MB modules are gradually being phased out and will become harder to find as the memory “sweet spot” today is 256MB DIMMs (the “sweet spot” corresponds to the majority of modules shipped in the industry and also offer the best performance to price ratio).

bri wrote:where do I find CPU-Z?

baraider wrote:

bri wrote:where do I find CPU-Z?

Why don't you google first before asking?

christopher_wolf wrote:http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php ; there you go

First of all, it isn't hard to find it by searching, just type it into a search engine; second, it isn't much to insert a link to it when mentioning it in the other post either now is it?

bri wrote:

baraider wrote: Why don't you google first before asking?

I thought it might be something already installed like PC Doctor or msinfo32.exe. Those show CPU, cache, memory etc but don't tell you if RAM is running in dual channel. Maybe I expect a little too much, but to me it makes sense to say where to find a tool when mentioning it out of the blue.

christopher_wolf wrote:http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php ; there you go

First of all, it isn't hard to find it by searching, just type it into a search engine; second, it isn't much to insert a link to it when mentioning it in the other post either now is it?

Thanks Chris, I'll check it out. Something as hyped as Dual Channel should be more overtly displayed in system info wouldn't you think ...