Dual-channel

Overview

Dual-Channel RAM technology has been implemented and developed in the interest of addressing a lack of bandwidth for memory communication with the CPU. On motherboards where the FSB is or might not be sufficient for single-channel RAM configurations, Dual-Channel is often included to increase the efficiency of the system.

Dual-Channel Concepts

Dual-Channel involves the use of two memory pipelines to the CPU as opposed to Single-Channel RAM configurations in which only one is used, hence the name. This does not mean that there are two pipelines for each RAM slot on the board.

In Dual-Channel mode on almost all motherboards, there need to be two Dual-Channel compatible RAM modules installed in two paired sockets, whereas in Single-Channel mode, only one module needs to be installed (but bandwidth would be smaller).