I don't really know whether this thread should go here, but never mind.

I built myself a computer a few months ago, but I only bought one stick of RAM. Now I thought I'd buy another stick of exactly the same kind to (apparently) make it work better, cuz the RAM works best in pairs or something(?). Anyway, I tried to buy it off Dabs.com, so I got what I thought was exactly the same kind of RAM.

The original RAM was:
Crucial, 512 MB, DDR, 400, cl3, pc3200
The manufacturer's code is CT6464Z40B.16T

The new RAM is:
Crucial, 512 MB, DDR, 400, cl3, pc3200
The manufacturer's code is CT6464Z40B.8TD2

Both are 184 pin DIMM, and I assume the 400 is the FSB clock speed.

There was no way to tell the difference on the Dabs website, but the new stick is only single sided. (I think the 16T or the 8T in the manufacturer's code must refer to the number of chips on the stick).

The conclusion I have reached is that the technology has advanced since the old stick, so now they only need to put half the number of chips on to get the same amount of RAM. But I have also heard that there are differences with single sided and double sided RAM.

Can I still use Dual Channel technology with these?

Is there any other potential problem?

Thanks in advance,

Andy.

I think they are both the same.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in Linux-Hardware and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Cool, thanks. I wasn't quite sure where to put it!

I put the RAM in the motherboard, so now I have this arrangement:

DIMM 1: Double sided
DIMM 2: Empty
DIMM 3: Single sided
DIMM 4: Empty

The amount of memory being shown on the POST screen went from 507904K to 1032192K, but it says "Memory runs at single channel."

I'll try some different arrangements and report back.

No, it doesn't matter which arrangement I use, they all run at single channel. Even when the RAM is (apparently illegally) inserted into slots 2 and 4, or even into slots 3 and 4! Oh well, I'll try investing in some different RAM...

I think you just need to change something in the BIOS of your motherboard to use dual-channel ram. Single sided or double sided doesn't matter at all in my opinion. Just take a look in the BIOS and look for an option which switched the single channel mode to dual-channel.

This time when you buy more ram make sure to get a matched pair (they come this way in a package) that is dual channel ram not single channel like you have now.

I couldn't find anything in the BIOS settings, so I'll probably just settle with single channel for the time being - bank balance is not favourable at the moment!

Well, lessons have been learnt: don't cheap out!

Thanks for all your help guys.