I'm not sure if you're asking if the actual sticks are different, but they're not. As far as being any real world improvement between dual channel and triple channel, there isn't any because the systems currently can't eat the bandwidth enough to make a difference. As far as quad channel, two dual channel sticks parked into 4 slots would achieve the same thing if it's ever released.
Edit: Kits are guaranteed to work together since they've been tested as such. Even though single sticks work together, they haven't been tested. In your specific scenario, buying two triple channel kits will yield you 3 dual channel pairs that haven't been tested and aren't guaranteed to work, but they will.

 

with a LGA1155 motherboard you can only have dual channel......

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by th3m3rc

with a LGA1155 motherboard you can only have dual channel......

Already knew that...thanks bud!

So it's just that the sticks haven't been tested together...shooooot. Bought to save myself a little bread then...because in all reality the RAM is going to do what I want it to do...and possible what it doesn't want me to do with it lol.

 

IIRC ram is ram, you can use tripple or quad channel on a dual channel platform but you will only utilise dual channel due to the IMC and chipset configurations.
for example
x58 borads utilise tripple channel
z68 utilises dual channel
x79 utilises quad channel
so how many channels comes do to the IMC, chipset and as seen below the slot configuration
for a quick read
http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-011965.htm

 

there is a big difference.

not that much at a single attempt memory usage, but on multiple access there is.

see here (Link) watch out for "GAIN"

 

It is all the same. I am using a triple channel memory kit. If I remove a stick it runs in dual channel.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by adalon

It is all the same. I am using a triple channel memory kit. If I remove a stick it runs in dual channel.

that would be on an x58 platform? 3 dimms will give you tripple channel, 2 dimmis would give you dual channel right. but sandy bridge only supports dual channel so if you run 3 x 4GB dimms you get flex mode which is 2 dimmins in dual channel and one dimm in single channel.. so it comes down to the cpu IMC and chipset right..

it can get confusing lol as being paltform dependent

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by stubass

that would be on an x58 platform? 3 dimms will give you tripple channel, 2 dimmis would give you dual channel right. but sandy bridge only supports dual channel so if you run 3 x 4GB dimms you get flex mode which is 2 dimmins in dual channel and one dimm in single channel.. so it comes down to the cpu IMC and chipset right..

it can get confusing lol as being paltform dependent

No, he is not planning on using only three sticks of memory. If you read the op you would know he is planning to get two triple channel kits and is going to be using four of the sticks, the extra two sticks are spares.

So, to summarize the only difference between a dual channel memory kit, triple channel memory kit or quad channel memory kit is the number of dimms included in the kit.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by adalon

It is all the same. I am using a triple channel memory kit. If I remove a stick it runs in dual channel.

ok, then try it for us:

run your memory on tripple channel, then bench with http://www.maxxpi.net/pages/downloads/maxxmemsup2---preview-multi.php

then remove one memorystick, to reduce channels to dual. bench again with MaxxMEM² - PreView Multi.
(both same timings)

...and show us your results

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by AliceMaxx

ok, then try it for us:
run your memory on tripple channel, then bench with http://www.maxxpi.net/pages/downloads/maxxmemsup2---preview-multi.php
then remove one memorystick, to reduce channels to dual. bench again with MaxxMEM² - PreView Multi.
(both same timings)
...and show us your results

What would be the point of that?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by adalon

No, he is not planning on using only three sticks of memory. If you read the op you would know he is planning to get two triple channel kits and is going to be using four of the sticks, the extra two sticks are spares.
So, to summarize the only difference between a dual channel memory kit, triple channel memory kit or quad channel memory kit is the number of dimms included in the kit.

yeah i read that about the OP, but just becuase he uses 3 dimms doent not mean he has tripple channel, unless the platform supports it and the IMC then yes.. as far as i can tell he has a sandy bridge platform which will only support dual channel even with 3 dimms you will not get tripple channel but mayb e flex mode where 2 dimms are in dual while one runs in single channel. i run 4 x 4GB dimms in my rig and its dual channel becuase its sandy bridge so just becuase i have 4 dimms doesnt make it that i have quad channel

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by stubass

yeah i read that about the OP, but just becuase he uses 3 dimms doent not mean he has tripple channel, unless the platform supports it and the IMC then yes.. as far as i can tell he has a sandy bridge platform which will only support dual channel even with 3 dimms you will not get tripple channel but mayb e flex mode where 2 dimms are in dual while one runs in single channel. i run 4 x 4GB dimms in my rig and its dual channel becuase its sandy bridge so just becuase i have 4 dimms doesnt make it that i have quad channel

Please go read post #4.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by stubass

yeah i read that about the OP, but just becuase he uses 3 dimms doent not mean he has tripple channel, unless the platform supports it and the IMC then yes.. as far as i can tell he has a sandy bridge platform which will only support dual channel even with 3 dimms you will not get tripple channel but mayb e flex mode where 2 dimms are in dual while one runs in single channel. i run 4 x 4GB dimms in my rig and its dual channel becuase its sandy bridge so just becuase i have 4 dimms doesnt make it that i have quad channel

Yes - Going by his sig rig and what he said, he's buying 6 dimms, and putting 4 of them in his z68 board People are confused because they think he's talking about dual channel vs triple channel performance of an IMC. But he's simply asking if you have to buy specific triple channel or dual channel memory. You don't, a DDR3 stick is a DDR3 stick (ignoring ecc and all that jazz). Manufacturers claim you need to because they "test' it, but most cheap memory isn't even tested at rated speeds, so it's disengenous to say that. You can even mix and match speeds of memory, but you'll be limited by the slowest set you have in there. For example I had 3x2gb 1600CL7 and 3x4gb 1600CL9 all running happily together at the slowest speed (1600CL9).

 

take a look at here:

classic sample:

X58 at DUAL channel, ddr3 2000 9-9-9-24 (9.5 Gbyte/sec)

http://www.maxxpi.net/results/show.php?ID=y4d4l2r9y5c7

X58 at TRIPPLE channel, ddr3 2000 9-9-9-24 (17.3 Gbyte/sec)

http://www.maxxpi.net/results/show.php?ID=l3k2m4w4b8d7

AND look at GAIN value...

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by stren

Yes - Going by his sig rig and what he said, he's buying 6 dimms, and putting 4 of them in his z68 board People are confused because they think he's talking about dual channel vs triple channel performance of an IMC. But he's simply asking if you have to buy specific triple channel or dual channel memory. You don't, a DDR3 stick is a DDR3 stick (ignoring ecc and all that jazz). Manufacturers claim you need to because they "test' it, but most cheap memory isn't even tested at rated speeds, so it's disengenous to say that. You can even mix and match speeds of memory, but you'll be limited by the slowest set you have in there. For example I had 3x2gb 1600CL7 and 3x4gb 1600CL9 all running happily together at the slowest speed (1600CL9).

Thank you.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by AliceMaxx

take a look at here:
classic sample:
X58 at DUAL channel, ddr3 2000 9-9-9-24 (9.5 Gbyte/sec)
http://www.maxxpi.net/results/show.php?ID=y4d4l2r9y5c7
X58 at TRIPPLE channel, ddr3 2000 9-9-9-24 (17.3 Gbyte/sec)
http://www.maxxpi.net/results/show.php?ID=l3k2m4w4b8d7
AND look at GAIN value...

Awesome!!

 

ahh, sorry.

i misunderstood this thread (my native is not english) ...

i would like to show the performance differences between tripple/dual channels...

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by adalon

Awesome!!

thank you!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by adalon

Please go read post #4.

yep did that when i posted post number 5 and have alook at the link

Quote:

Originally Posted by stren

Yes - Going by his sig rig and what he said, he's buying 6 dimms, and putting 4 of them in his z68 board People are confused because they think he's talking about dual channel vs triple channel performance of an IMC. But he's simply asking if you have to buy specific triple channel or dual channel memory. You don't, a DDR3 stick is a DDR3 stick (ignoring ecc and all that jazz). Manufacturers claim you need to because they "test' it, but most cheap memory isn't even tested at rated speeds, so it's disengenous to say that. You can even mix and match speeds of memory, but you'll be limited by the slowest set you have in there. For example I had 3x2gb 1600CL7 and 3x4gb 1600CL9 all running happily together at the slowest speed (1600CL9).

yes, you can run tripple channel, quad channel ram on a z68.. yes a DDR3 stick is a DDR3 stick so it doesnt matter which you run on a sandy platform, so maximum that can be run is dual channel.

and yes on an X58 that supports tripple channel you will see a difference in proformance.. just to add a quick test for fun guys

this is 4 x 4GB RipjawsX 1600 CL8 on a z68


i think wires were crossed along the way too

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by stubass

yep did that when i posted post number 5 and have alook at the link

I give up.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by adalon

I give up.

no dont give up please its fun going arround in circles and besides what has post #4 got to do with anything and if you read the first post it sounds to me like he wants to use one kit and keep one kit as a spare thus he wants to use 3 dimms but lets see what the OP says before we jump to conclusions LOL.. but im the first to admit i got confused for a minute

@OP, it doesnt matter which DDR3 ram you run, the performance will always revert back to your IMC and platform and configuirations shown in the link i posted in post # 5, thats it

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by stubass

no dont give up please its fun going arround in circles and besides what has post #4 got to do with anything and if you read the first post it sounds to me like he wants to use one kit and keep one kit as a spare thus he wants to use 3 dimms but lets see what the OP says before we jump to conclusions LOL.. but im the first to admit i got confused for a minute

@OP, it doesnt matter which DDR3 ram you run, the performance will always revert back to your IMC and platform and configuirations shown in the link i posted in post # 5, thats it

Re-read the op and do it slowly.

 

I'll be using the second rig in my sig...so f i use 4 random sticks it will still run them quad right?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by adalon

Re-read the op and do it slowly.

ahhhhh, i get the picture now sorry for the confusion, bit tiddly at the time

Quote:

Originally Posted by PROBN4LYFE

I'll be using the second rig in my sig...so f i use 4 random sticks it will still run them quad right?

its a x79 SB-E then yes aslong as they are placed in the correct slots the modules should be in quad channel mode tho can be random sticks but should meet this critea
Quote:

Quad channel mode
This mode is enabled when four, or a multiple of four, memory modules are identical in capacity and speed, and are placed in quad-channel slots. When two memory modules are installed, the system will operate in dual-channel mode. When three memory modules are installed, the system will operate in triple-channel mode.

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-011965.htm

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by PROBN4LYFE

I'll be using the second rig in my sig...so f i use 4 random sticks it will still run them quad right?

LGA 2011 with 4 DIMMs of the same size and density, Yes, Quad Channel.

Otherwise, please refer to this Desktop Boards - Single, dual, triple, and flex memory modes - Intel