Impact of Dual Channel mode on GMA 950 performance

[MIB]

I am still waiting for my X60s, meanwhile I am puzzled by whether I should buy 2x1 GB memory stick to enable memory in dual channel mode. I have ordered 1 GB extra memory but the X60s come with 512MB. As the memory density doesn't match probably the dual channel will not work.
I don't think I will notice the performance improvement in regular usage, however, I am planning to use for some light gaming, CIV4/WoW etc. I am well aware of the gaming performance of the integrated GMA 950 is less than optimal, but wondering whether enable dual channel mode will have a big impact on the GMA gaming performance ? will I get better frame rate with dual channel mode ?

[archer6]

I am still waiting for my X60s, meanwhile I am puzzled by whether I should buy 2x1 GB memory stick to enable memory in dual channel mode.

I added 1GB to my X60s (see specs below) and it made a great improvement. Well worth the money.

[MIB]

I am still waiting for my X60s, meanwhile I am puzzled by whether I should buy 2x1 GB memory stick to enable memory in dual channel mode.

I added 1GB to my X60s (see specs below) and it made a great improvement. Well worth the money.

Thanks for the reply, I have already brought an additional 1 GB ram, 1.5 GB should be quite enough, I am thinking take out the 512 MB come with the X60s and put another 1 GB stick to enable dual channel to improve the gaming performance. Still debating whether it is worth it to do so.

[MIB]

I added 1GB to my X60s (see specs below) and it made a great improvement. Well worth the money.

Thanks for the reply, I have already brought an additional 1 GB ram, 1.5 GB should be quite enough, I am thinking take out the 512 MB come with the X60s and put another 1 GB stick to enable dual channel to improve the gaming performance. Still debating whether it is worth it to do so.

looks like no one knows, so I will bite. Finally got my X60s 1704JU yesterday and I pick up 2x1GB cosair memory and did some benchmarking. Here is what I found, it is indeed quite interesting.

3 configs:

1) with default 512MB, memory mode:single channel(CPU-Z); 3Dmark03 score 1310

2) Added one 1G memory, total 1.5GB but the memory density is not matched.
memory mode:DUAL channel(CPU-Z)!, 3Dmark03 score 1457

3) Swapped out the 512 and put identical 2x1GB stick. memory mode:
Dual channel(CPU-Z), 3Dmark03 score 1474.

So.. a few things from these data, looks like we don't need to put identical memory stick to enable dual channel mode, which is a common believe. I did some research on this and find out this is because the "flex memory" feature in the intel chipset, basically it relax the dual channel mode requirement, even if you don't have identical memory stick dual channel mode will be still enabled, but with a small penalty of added latency.
The second thing is, enabling dual channel mode DOES improve 3d performance by 10% of so. So I think I will probably keep 1 1GB stick and return the other, and keep the memory at 1.5GB. Hope it help some one down the road.

[thibouille27]

Thanks for these precisions.
I kinda knew about the Dual Channel with different modules but wasn't sure.
Interesting it ups a bit the 3D performance.

[archer6]

Finally got my X60s 1704JU yesterday and I pick up 2x1GB cosair memory and did some benchmarking. Here is what I found, it is indeed quite interesting.

3 configs:

1) with default 512MB, memory mode:single channel(CPU-Z); 3Dmark03 score 1310

2) Added one 1G memory, total 1.5GB but the memory density is not matched.
memory mode:DUAL channel(CPU-Z)!, 3Dmark03 score 1457

3) Swapped out the 512 and put identical 2x1GB stick. memory mode:
Dual channel(CPU-Z), 3Dmark03 score 1474.

So.. a few things from these data, looks like we don't need to put identical memory stick to enable dual channel mode, which is a common believe. I did some research on this and find out this is because the "flex memory" feature in the intel chipset, basically it relax the dual channel mode requirement, even if you don't have identical memory stick dual channel mode will be still enabled, but with a small penalty of added latency.
The second thing is, enabling dual channel mode DOES improve 3d performance by 10% of so. So I think I will probably keep 1 1GB stick and return the other, and keep the memory at 1.5GB. Hope it help some one down the road.

MIB -

Nice Work!

Thanks for the comprehensive report I'm sure this will be very beneficial for all.

Archer6