Everything You Need to Know About the

Dual-, Triple-, and Quad-Channel

Memory Architectures
By
Gabriel Torres
-
November 2, 2011
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Dual-Channel Architecture
As we briefly discussed in the previous page, the dual-channel architecture expands
the number of data wires available in the memory data bus from 64 to 128. This
doubles the available bandwidth. For example, if you use DDR3-1333 memories, the
maximum theoretical transfer rate is doubled from 10,664 MB/s (10.6 GB/s) to 21,328
MB/s (21.3 GB/s).

Each memory module, however, is a 64-bit device. Therefore, in order for the dual-
channel architecture to work, you will need to install two memory modules in
parallel, making 128 bits available.

Deci modulele de memorie sunt normale, de 64 de biti . Pentru a avea arhitectura

duala , trebuie instalate 2 module in paralel , devenind astfel disponibile pe 128 biti

Many people have trouble visualizing this idea. Therefore, let’s draw some schematics.
First, assume that we have a system that doesn’t support a dual channel feature (i.e., a
single-channel system). In this case, the memory controller will transfer 64 bits at a time.
When we say that the memory data bus is 64 bits wide, this means that there are 64 wires
(yes, physical wires on the motherboard) connecting the memory controller and the
memory sockets. These wires are labeled D0 through D63. The memory data bus is
shared amongst all the memory sockets. The address and control busses will activate the
proper memory socket, depending on the address from where data must be stored or read.
We illustrate this in Figure 3.

Figure 3: How single channel works

On systems supporting dual-channel technology, the memory data bus is expanded

to 128 bits. This means that there are 128 wires connecting the memory controller to
the memory sockets. These wires are labeled D0 through D127. Since each memory
module can only accept 64 bits at once, two memory modules are used to fill the 128-bit
data bus. See Figure 4. Because the two modules are accessed at the same time, they must
be identical (same capacity, same timings, and same clock rate).
 Figure 4: How dual channel works

Now that you know what dual channel means, the most obvious question is: “How can I
enable this architecture so I can increase my computer’s performance?” Let’s find out.

Contents
 1. Introduction
 2. Bandwidth
 3. Dual-Channel Architecture
 4. Enabling Dual Channel
 5. Enabling Dual Channel (Intel and AMD Socket AM3+)
 6. Enabling Dual Channel (Other AMD Sockets)
  7. Triple-Channel Architecture
 8. Quad-Channel Architecture
 9. Checking if it is Correctly Enabled

Enabling Dual Channel

In order to enable dual-channel architecture, you will need to have:

 Memory controller supporting dual-channel architecture (virtually all current

CPUs support dual-channel architecture).
 Two or an even number of memory modules; each pair of modules must be
identical.
 Install the memory modules in the correct memory sockets on the motherboard
that will enable this architecture.

First, the memory controller must support the dual-channel architecture. As we discussed
earlier, current CPUs have this component embedded, so almost all computers nowadays
support this technology.

Second, you need to have an even number of memory modules on your system, as each
pair of memory modules will be accessed as a single entity. Refer to Figure 4 in the
previous page. If you install just one memory module, this technique won’t work because
the memory will still be accessed at 64 bits per clock cycle. In other words, dual channel
works by accessing two memory modules in parallel, i.e., at the same time. As each pair
of memory modules is accessed as a single entity by the memory controller, the modules
at each pair must be identical. Each pair, however, can have a different total capacity. For
example, you can install two 2 GB modules and two 1 GB modules, for 6 GB total.

This is a very important point to keep in mind when selecting parts for building a PC.
Let’s say you want to build a computer with 4 GB of RAM. In order to achieve the best
performance, you must buy two 2 GB memory modules to enable dual-channel
architecture. If you buy a single 4 GB module, you will have the same memory capacity;
however, the memory will be accessed in single-channel mode, with half the bandwidth
available.

The third point is to install the memory modules in the correct memory sockets on the
motherboard. You have to be very careful; otherwise, you will buy two memory modules
as recommended and end up having a system still accessing the memory under single-
channel architecture.

In order to make our explanations easier to understand, let’s assume we have a

motherboard with four memory sockets and the installation of two memory modules,
which is the most common scenario. Number the motherboard memory sockets as one,
two, three, and four.
The rules, however, depend on the kind of system you own. Intel, AMD socket AM3+,
and a few AMD socket AM3 motherboards follow one rule, while all other AMD-based
systems use a different rule. The following explains the differences between the two
systems.

Contents
 1. Introduction
 2. Bandwidth
 3. Dual-Channel Architecture
 4. Enabling Dual Channel
 5. Enabling Dual Channel (Intel and AMD Socket AM3+)
 6. Enabling Dual Channel (Other AMD Sockets)
 7. Triple-Channel Architecture
 8. Quad-Channel Architecture
 9. Checking if it is Correctly Enabled

Enabling Dual Channel (Intel and AMD Socket AM3+)

Motherboards targeted to Intel CPUs and AMD socket AM3+ CPUs (and a few socket
AM3 models) use sockets one and two as the first channel, and three and four as the
second channel. In order to enable the dual-channel architecture, you have to install one
module at the first channel and one module at the second channel. If they are installed in
the same channel, you will have a single-channel architecture. Therefore, you must install
the first memory module in socket one, and the second memory module in socket three,
not in socket two. In other words, you have to skip one socket.

In order to make it easier for users, most motherboard manufacturers use different colors
on the memory sockets, using one color for sockets one and three, and a different color
for sockets two and four. This way, you need to install the memory modules in sockets
with the same color. See Figure 5.
 Figure 5: Install modules in sockets with the same color

In Figure 6, you can see a motherboard for an Intel CPU with two memory modules
correctly installed, enabling dual-channel architecture.
 Figure 6: Dual-channel mode enabled on an Intel system (notice the empty socket
between them)

There is, however, one major exception. On some older motherboards from MSI targeted
to Intel CPUs, sockets one and two use the same color while sockets three and four use
another color. See Figure 7. If you install the two memory modules in sockets with the
same color on a motherboard like this, they will work under single-channel mode, not
dual-channel. So, if you find yourself in front of an older motherboard from this
manufacturer, you should not follow the color scheme. You must install the memory
modules in sockets one and three, and they will be using sockets with different colors.
 Figure 7: Older motherboards from MSI use a “wrong” color scheme; don’t follow it

If you are installing four memory modules which are identical, there is no rule to follow.
Simply install all four modules in the four sockets available.

However, if you are installing four modules and they have different capacities, you will
have to pay attention. The first pair must be installed in sockets one and three, while the
second pair must be installed in sockets two and four. By “pair” we mean two identical
memory modules. In other words, install the first pair in sockets with the same color, and
the second pair in the sockets using the other color.

Contents
 1. Introduction
 2. Bandwidth
 3. Dual-Channel Architecture
 4. Enabling Dual Channel
 5. Enabling Dual Channel (Intel and AMD Socket AM3+)
  6. Enabling Dual Channel (Other AMD Sockets)
 7. Triple-Channel Architecture
 8. Quad-Channel Architecture
 9. Checking if it is Correctly Enabled

Quad-Channel Architecture
The quad-channel architecture quadruples the available memory bandwidth. This is done
by expanding the memory data bus to 256 bits, which is accomplished by accessing four
memory modules at the same time.

Currently, this mode is available only on the Intel socket LGA2011 (LGA2011) platform.
This means that you can only enable this mode on motherboards and Core i7 CPUs that
use this socket. These processors support DDR3 memories up to 2,133 MHz.

You will need four identical memory modules. Eight modules can be used on
motherboards with eight memory sockets, and each group of four modules can have
different capacities, but the modules inside the same group must be identical. If you
install two or three memory modules, they will be accessed in dual- or triple-channel
mode, respectively. Of course, in this case, you won’t achieve the maximum performance
of which your system is capable.

There are two kinds of socket LGA2011 motherboards available: those with four memory
sockets and those with eight or more memory sockets.

On motherboards with four memory sockets, simply fill all the sockets that are available.

Motherboards with eight memory sockets use the traditional scheme utilized by
motherboards targeted to Intel CPUs. You must install the memory modules in the first,
third, fifth, and seventh memory sockets, and these sockets almost always will use the
same color, while sockets two, four, six, and eight will use a different color. Therefore,
simply install the memory modules in sockets with the same color. On socket LGA2011
motherboards, usually half the sockets are at one side of the CPU socket, while the other
half is on the other side. See Figures 13 and 14.
Figure 13: Install modules in sockets with the same color
 Figure 14: Quad-channel mode enabled on a socket LGA2011 motherboard with eight
memory sockets

If you want to install eight memory modules, the second group of memory modules must
be installed in sockets two, four, six, and eight unless all eight modules are identical, in
which case you will fill all eight memory sockets and won’t need to worry about which
sockets to use.

Contents
 1. Introduction
 2. Bandwidth
 3. Dual-Channel Architecture
 4. Enabling Dual Channel
 5. Enabling Dual Channel (Intel and AMD Socket AM3+)
 6. Enabling Dual Channel (Other AMD Sockets)
 7. Triple-Channel Architecture
 8. Quad-Channel Architecture
 9. Checking if it is Correctly Enabled
Checking if it is Correctly Enabled
After installing your memory modules, the final step is to check if the dual-, triple- or
quad-channel architecture is correctly enabled.

Currently, most motherboards will display this information on POST, which is the screen
that appears right after you turn on your computer, showing some information about your
system. Look for phrases such as “Dual Channel” and “Single Channel.” See Figure 15.
 Figure 15: PC with dual channel mode correctly enabled (see “at Dual Channel”)

Another way to check this is by running a hardware identification utility. We recommend

running CPU-Z and checking the memory information presented on its Memory tab, at
“Channels #.” See Figure 16. On this same screen, you can check the current real
memory clock rate and timings. Keep in mind that the real clock rate is half of the stated
memory clock. In our example (Figure 16), the memories were being accessed at 333
MHz, i.e., “667 MHz.” This is a good place to check if your memories are being accessed
at their full speed. If not, you need to check to see what is wrong. (Usually there is a
misconfiguration on the motherboard setup or a limitation of the CPU or chipset.) Tip:
Some older Athlon X2 processors have a problem where memories can’t be accessed at
their full speed. Click here for more information.
 Figure 16: PC with dual
channel mode correctly enabled (see “Dual” at “Channels #”)