how does dual channel ram and monitors work?

[hyenolie]

lets say i buy hyperX 512x2 pc3200, they are dual channel capable and my mobo supports it.

i just put the dimms in slot 1 and 3 or 2 and 4 and thats it? dont i configure something, will they just run play and play?

PS how do u hook up two monitors? on a x800xt, and what are the uses for 2 monitors?

 

[oD1Nz]

It depends on the motherboard - some you can put the RAM in any slots and set it up, others you put them in 1 and 3 and just go.

Dual monitors is easy - plug one monitor into one port, plug another into the other port. I'm not sure but I think the X800XT still has a standard VGA port on the back (along with the DVI) - in this case you'd need to find an adapter to plug an LCD into it, if you were using two.

Here's a good picture:

On the left is a standard VGA port. All CRTs use this, and some LCDs do still. In front of that is an adapter, changing it from VGA to DVI. On the right is a DVI port - most LCDs use this port, while CRTs don't.

Uses for more monitors are easy: more desktop real estate.

 

[SidewinderX]

for the dual channel ram..... : on good mobos the slots are either color coded, or physically closer together than the other slots.

in the mobo manuel there should be a part where it tells you which slots.

 

[ShinRa]

Is it better for ram to run in dual channel?

 

[blahblahblah]

Your system performance will improve 10-15% if you use a dual channel setup on your computer.

 

[Asus]

On P4's the difference between single and dual channel is a big margin.
20% difference perhaps.
On AXP there is basicly no difference (1-3%).
On A64 there is 1-7% difference.

You can run it in dual channel only if your board supports dual channel memory.