Triple channel memory 3 vs 6 dimms in dual cpu 4,1

[mattspace]

Hi Folks,

Given the instructions for order to load DIMMS in the dual processor models, I was wondering if triple channel means that each processor gets priority to one of the banks of DIMMS.

so would 6x8gb be faster in a dual processor than 3x16gb, or are all DIMMS a single pool / the performance difference is negligible?

 

[carylee2002]

It depends on your particular computer and how much ram do you really need. If you plan to go above 48 to possibly up to 128 then the 16gb sticks will be the option otherwise if your going the 8gb sticks then you will max you out a lot less.

 

[nutjob]

Hi Folks,

Given the instructions for order to load DIMMS in the dual processor models, I was wondering if triple channel means that each processor gets priority to one of the banks of DIMMS.

so would 6x8gb be faster in a dual processor than 3x16gb, or are all DIMMS a single pool / the performance difference is negligible?

Triple channel means that the processor can read and write 3 DIMMs at the same time. So if you don't populate in sets of 3, you lose one third of the bandwidth for each missing DIMM. Doing that makes no sense.

But for what you describe, it makes almost no difference

 

[mikeboss]

so would 6x8gb be faster in a dual processor than 3x16gb, or are all DIMMS a single pool / the performance difference is negligible?

yes, 6x8GB are faster than 3x16GB. unfortunately I don't own a dual-socket machine to test or run benchmarks. but I know for sure because I tested this on a 12-core Mac Pro I upgraded and tested a few weeks ago. I just don't remember how much faster it was