New iMacs - 2 or 3 memory modules?

[Stingray454]

While browsing around I've stumbled over a few references to things like "tri-channel memory" and such. From what I understand (not that good with these things) some computer architectures / CPUs are optimized for using 3 memory modules, and some for using pairs (2 or 4).

I just read some benchmark tests of the i7 with different memory configurations, and the 12Gb was is most cases on par or better than all the others when it came to performance, even better than the 16Gb one. Is the new iMac (i7) best suited to use 3 memory modules?

 

[fruitpunch.ben]

While browsing around I've stumbled over a few references to things like "tri-channel memory" and such. From what I understand (not that good with these things) some computer architectures / CPUs are optimized for using 3 memory modules, and some for using pairs (2 or 4).

I just read some benchmark tests of the i7 with different memory configurations, and the 12Gb was is most cases on par or better than all the others when it came to performance, even better than the 16Gb one. Is the new iMac (i7) best suited to use 3 memory modules?

no. it is dual channel.

 

[Hellhammer]

no. it is dual channel.

Any proofs? i5 supports only dual-channel but i7 supports triple-channel.

Anyway, dual/triple-channel will speed up the RAM's performance but if you need a lot RAM, then its better off getting the maximum amount

 

[gibsonjv]

While browsing around I've stumbled over a few references to things like "tri-channel memory" and such. From what I understand (not that good with these things) some computer architectures / CPUs are optimized for using 3 memory modules, and some for using pairs (2 or 4).

I just read some benchmark tests of the i7 with different memory configurations, and the 12Gb was is most cases on par or better than all the others when it came to performance, even better than the 16Gb one. Is the new iMac (i7) best suited to use 3 memory modules?

Memory should be upgraded in pairs for the iMac Core i5s and i7s. This is one of the major differences between the Bloomfield (Mac Pros) and the Lynnfield (iMacs) platforms. This article from xbit goes into the nitty-gritty differences of the memory controller between the two platforms.