Dual channel DDR (Double Data Rate) memory is a technology that doubles communication speed between RAM and the memory controller (north bridge). It eliminates or reduces a potential memory performance bottleneck that occurs if CPU bus speed is greater than memory speed.
Function
Dual channel technology expands memory controller bus width from 64-bit to 128-bit by adding the second parallel channel.
Considerations
To enable the dual channel technology, matched (identical) memory modules must be added and installed in pairs in similarly colored sockets on a motherboard.
Warning
MSI is the only motherboard manufacturer that does not follow any color coding of memory sockets. One socket must be left empty between two modules to allow the dual channel mode.
Misconceptions
Dual channel RAM boosts the performance by 100 percent only theoretically. Practically, this boost translates into a much smaller enhancement in the system performance, since neither the memory controller nor the CPU communicate with memory modules 100 percent of the time.
Performance
Popular 3D benchmarks Quake3 Arena and 3D Mark show an approximate 15 percent gain in system performance attribute when going from single to dual channel RAM.
Tags: memory controller, channel technology, Dual channel, memory modules, system performance