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'{{confused|interleaved memory}} {{multiple| {{Expert-subject-multiple|Engineering|Computer science|type=article|date=October 2011}} {{confusing|date=October 2011}} {{more footnotes|date=October 2011}} }} '''Multi-channel memory architecture''' is a technology that increases the transfer speed of data between the [[DRAM]] and the [[memory controller]] by adding more channels of communication between them. Theoretically this multiplies the data rate by exactly the number of channels present. Dual-channel memory employs two channels which theoretically doubles the data transfer rate. The technique goes back as far as the 1960s having been used in [[IBM System/360]] Model 91 and in [[CDC 6600]].<ref name="JacobNg2007">{{cite book|author1=Bruce Jacob|author2=Spencer Ng|author3=David Wang|title=Memory systems: cache, DRAM, disk|year=2007|publisher=Morgan Kaufmann|isbn=978-0-12-379751-3|page=318}}</ref> Modern higher-end chipsets like the Intel i7-9x series and various Xeon chipsets support triple-channel memory. On March, 2010 AMD released [[Socket G34]] and Magny-Cours Opteron 6100 series<ref name=Opteron6100>{{cite web | title = AMD Opteron 6000 Series Platform Quick Reference Guide | url = http://sites.amd.com/us/documents/48101a_opteron%20_6000_qrg_rd2.pdf | accessdate = 2012-10-15 }}</ref> processors which support quad-channel memory. In 2011 Intel released chipsets that support quad-channel memory for their [[LGA2011]] platform.<ref>http://www.techpowerup.com/138087/Intel-LGA2011-Socket-X68-Express-Chipset-Pictured.html</ref> Historically, microcomputer chipsets with even more channels had been designed. For example, the chipset in the [[AlphaStation]] 600 (1995) supported eight-channel memory, but the [[backplane]] of the machine limited operation to four channels.<ref>http://www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/dtj/vol7num1/vol7num1art7.txt</ref> <!-- TODO: Cite a machine where they actually used 8 channels. --> == Dual-channel architecture == [[Image:Dual channel slots.jpg|right|thumb|Dual channel memory slots, orange and yellow for each channel. Paired memory chips should go in slots of same color.]] Dual-channel-enabled memory controllers in a PC system architecture utilize two 64-bit data channels. Dual channel should not be confused with [[double data rate]] (DDR), in which data exchange happens twice per DRAM clock. The two technologies are independent of each other and many motherboards use both, by using DDR memory in a dual-channel configuration. === Operation === Dual-channel architecture requires a dual-channel-capable motherboard and two or more [[DDR SDRAM|DDR]], [[DDR2 SDRAM]], or [[DDR3 SDRAM]] memory modules. The memory modules are installed into matching banks, which are usually color coded on the [[motherboard]]. These separate channels allow the memory controller access to each memory module, increasing throughput bandwidth. It is not required that identical modules be used (if motherboard supports it), but this is often recommended for best dual-channel operation. It is possible to use a single-sided module of 512&nbsp;[[megabyte|MB]]<ref name=Prefix>RAM size is specified using [[binary prefix|binary meanings]] for K (1024¹ instead of 1000¹), M (1024² instead of 1000²), G (1024³ instead of 1000³), ...</ref> and a double-sided module of 512&nbsp;MB in dual-channel configuration, but how fast and stable it is depends on the memory controller. If the motherboard has two pairs of differently colored [[DIMM]] sockets (the colors indicate which bank they belong to, bank 0 or bank 1), then one can place a matched pair of memory modules in bank 0, but a different-capacity pair of modules in bank 1, as long as they are of the same speed. Using this scheme, a pair of 1&nbsp;[[gigabyte|GB]] memory modules in bank 0 and a pair of matched 512&nbsp;MB modules in bank 1 would be acceptable for dual-channel operation.<ref name="Kingston520DDR">{{cite web | author = Infineon Technologies North America Corporation and Kingston Technology Company, Inc. | month = September | year = 2003 | url = http://www.kingston.com/newtech/MKF_520DDRwhitepaper.pdf | title = "Intel Dual-Channel DDR Memory Architecture White Paper", Rev. 1.0 | format = PDF, 1021&nbsp;[[kilobyte|KB]] | publisher = Kingston Technology | accessdate = 2007-09-06 }}</ref> Modules rated at different speeds can be run in dual-channel mode, although the motherboard will then run all memory modules at the speed of the slowest module. Some motherboards, however, have compatibility issues with certain brands or models of memory when attempting to use them in dual-channel mode. For this reason, it is generally advised to use identical pairs of memory modules, which is why most memory manufacturers now sell "kits" of matched-pair DIMMs. Several motherboard manufacturers only support configurations where a "matched pair" of modules are used. A matching pair needs to match in: * Capacity (e.g. 1024&nbsp;MB). Certain Intel chipsets support different capacity chips in what they call Flex Mode: the capacity that can be matched is run in dual-channel, while the remainder runs in single-channel. * Speed (e.g. PC5300). If speed is not the same, the lower speed of the two modules will be used. Likewise, the higher latency of the two modules will be used. * Number of chips and sides (e.g. two sides with four chips on each side). * Matching size of rows and columns. Dual-channel architecture is a technology implemented on motherboards by the motherboard manufacturer and does not apply to memory modules. Theoretically any matched pair of memory modules may be used in either single- or dual-channel operation, provided the motherboard supports this architecture. === Purpose === {{or section|date=October 2012}} <!--[[Image:ram bottleneck.gif|frame|Graphic illustrating bottleneck between CPU, RAM, and other peripherals]]--> Dual-channel technology was created to address the issue of [[Von Neumann architecture#Von_Neumann_bottleneck|bottleneck]]s.{{specify|date=October 2012}} Increased processor speed and performance requires other, less prominent components to keep pace. In the case of dual-channel design, the intended target is the memory controller, which regulates data flow between the CPU and system memory (RAM). The memory controller determines the types and speeds of RAM as well as the maximum size of each individual memory module and the overall memory capacity of the system. However, when the memory is unable to keep up with the processor, a bottleneck occurs, leaving the CPU with nothing to process. Under the single-channel architecture, any CPU with a bus speed greater than the memory speed would be susceptible to this bottleneck effect. The dual-channel configuration alleviates the problem by doubling the amount of available memory bandwidth. Instead of a single memory channel, a second parallel channel is added. With two channels working simultaneously, the bottleneck is reduced. Rather than wait for memory technology to improve, dual-channel architecture simply takes the existing RAM technology and improves the method in which it is handled. While the actual implementation differs between [[Intel]] and [[AMD]] motherboards, the basic theory stands. === Performance === There have been varying reports as to the performance increase of dual-channel configurations, with some tests citing significant performance gains while others suggest almost no gain. [[Tom's Hardware]] found little significant difference between single-channel and dual-channel configurations in synthetic and gaming benchmarks (using a "modern" system setup). In its tests, dual channel gave at best a 5% speed increase in memory-intensive tasks.<ref>[http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/PARALLEL-PROCESSING,1705-15.html Parallel Processing, Part 2: RAM and HDD | Tom's Hardware<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Another comparison by laptoplogic.com resulted in a similar conclusion for integrated graphics.<ref>[http://laptoplogic.com/resources/detail.php?id=20 Intel's Sonoma Platform: Dual Channel Performance]</ref> The test results published by Tom's Hardware had a discrete graphics comparison. === Ganged versus unganged === Dual-channel was originally conceived as a way to maximize memory throughput by combining two 64-bit buses into a single 128-bit bus. This is retrospectively called the "ganged" mode. However, due to lackluster performance gains in consumer applications as discussed above, more modern implementations of dual-channel use the "unganged" mode by default, which maintains two 64-bit memory buses but allows independent access to each channel, in support of [[Multithreading (computer architecture)|multithreading]] with [[multi-core processor]]s. == Triple-channel architecture == === Operation POOP :-}=== [[DDR3]] triple-channel architecture is used in the [[Intel]] [[Core i7]]-900 series (the Intel Core i7-800 series only support up to dual-channel). The LGA 1366 platform (e.g. Intel X58) supports DDR3 triple-channel, normally 1333 and 1600Mhz, but can run at higher clock speeds on certain motherboards. AMD Socket AM3 processors do not use the DDR3 triple-channel architecture but instead use dual-channel DDR3 memory. The same applies to the Intel Core i3, [[Core i5]] and Core i7-800 series, which are used on the [[LGA 1156]] platforms (e.g., [[Intel P55]]). According to Intel, a Core i7 with DDR3 operating at 1066&nbsp;MHz will offer peak data transfer rates of 25.6&nbsp;GB/s when operating in triple-channel [[interleaved memory|interleaved]] mode. This, Intel claims, leads to faster system performance as well as higher performance per watt.<ref>{{Citation |title=Intel X58 Product Brief |url=http://www.intel.com/Assets/PDF/prodbrief/x58-product-brief.pdf}}</ref> When operating in triple-channel mode, [[memory latency]] is reduced due to interleaving, meaning that each module is accessed sequentially for smaller bits of data rather than completely filling up one module before accessing the next one. Data is spread amongst the modules in an alternating pattern, potentially tripling available memory bandwidth for the same amount of data, as opposed to storing it all on one module. The architecture can only be used when all three, or a multiple of three, memory modules are identical in capacity and speed, and are placed in three-channel slots. When two memory modules are installed, the architecture will operate in dual-channel architecture mode.<ref name="support.intel.com">{{Citation |title=Desktop Boards - Triple Memory Modules |url=http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-011965.htm#triple}}</ref> === Supporting processors === Intel Core i7: * Intel Core i7-9xx Bloomfield, Gulftown * Intel Core i7-9x0X Gulftown Intel Xeon: * Intel Xeon E55xx Nehalem-EP * Intel Xeon E56xx Westmere-EP * Intel Xeon ECxxxx Jasper Forest * Intel Xeon L55xx Nehalem-EP * Intel Xeon L5609 Westmere-EP * Intel Xeon L5630 Westmere-EP * Intel Xeon L5640 Westmere-EP * Intel Xeon LC55x8 Jasper Forest * Intel Xeon Wxxxx Bloomfield, Nehalem-EP, Westmere-EP * Intel Xeon X55xx Nehalem-EP * Intel Xeon X56xx Westmere-EP<ref>{{cite web |editor=Intel |title=Intel Core i7 Family Product Comparison |url=http://ark.intel.com/Compare.aspx?ids=48139,43559,43560,43562,43563,49666,47700,49654,50022,49158,49664,43122,49024,43124,43125,54616,52231,54610,52219,53463,54611,54615,53472,50067,52227,43126,43127,52237,41316,41318,41315,48498,48499,48500,37147,41447,37148,37150,37151,47933,52213,52214,52215,37149,37153,47932,52585, |at=Memory Specifications: # of Memory Channels}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |editor=Intel |title=Intel Xeon Family Product Comparison |url=http://ark.intel.com/Compare.aspx?ids=49942,49943,49944,49945,49946,27076,33103,27077,27078,27099,27080,28014,28015,27100,27093,27094,27101,28016,28017,27083,27084,27102,27085,28018,27086,27087,27088,28019,27089,27103,27091,27092,27097,27259,27293,27294,27260,27295,27296,27262,27263,27297,27298,27264,27299,27265,27266,27300,27267,27268,27269,27270,27301,27271,27272,27302,27273,27303,27202,27274,27275,27304,27276,27277,27278,27279,27280,27289,27220,27222,29748,27291,29750,27203,27204,27205,30775,27206,27208,27209,27210,27211,28020,27212,27213,27214,27215,27216,27217,27218,27219,27224,27225,27226,27227,27281,27282,27283,27284,27285,27286,27287,27288,28029,34694,35429,33093,36593,34739,28030,28031,28443,28032,33079,33080,33927,33081,33082,33083,33084,33085,37092,37094,40711,37096,37100,40200,37103,37104,52584,52583,52582,47925,47924,47923,48768,52581,46488,46489,30779,30780,30792,30793,30794,30795,36945,36939,36943,36941,46490,46491,46492,47642,47643,47640,47639,36892,32709,40481,47555,43233,36682,34738,35130,35574,29774,35129,29767,30791,34695,33090,33929,33091,40712,40726,40727,40201,41755,47928,48767,47927,48766,47926,31797,36935,36937,46493,46494,47646,47645,47644,47641,30778,30562,30563,30564,27223,39718,41313,39719,39720,39721,39722,39723,47918,47917,52586,37113,41643,28033,28034,30797,33931,35432,33932,33933,35433,41094,42927,42928,42929,42931,42932,48501,33907,36608,33908,28035,30702,34446,33087,35430,34447,33088,36893,37106,37109,37111,52580,47922,47921,47919,47920,52579,52577,47929,47916,52578,52576,46495,30796,36947,46497,46498,46499,52269,53401,52270,52271,52272,52273,52274,52275,52276,52277,52278,53568,53673,53674,53573,53570,53578,53569,53675,53676,53574,53571,53579,53677,53576,53575,53572,53577,53580, |at=Memory Specifications: # of Memory Channels}}</ref> == Quadruple-channel architecture == === Operation === [[DDR3]] Quadruple-channel architecture is used in the [[AMD]] [[Socket G34|G34]] platform and the [[Intel]] [[LGA 2011]] platform (e.g., [[Intel X79]]). AMD processors which are used on the [[Socket C32|C32]] platform instead use dual-channel DDR3 memory. Intel processors which are used on the [[LGA 1155]] platform (e.g., [[Intel Z68]]) instead use dual-channel DDR3 memory. The architecture can only be used when all 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 architecture will operate in dual-channel architecture mode. When three memory modules are installed, the architecture will operate in triple-channel architecture mode.<ref name="support.intel.com"/> === Supporting processors === AMD Opteron: * Opteron 6100-series "Magny-Cours" (45 nm)<ref name=Opteron6100>{{cite web | title = AMD Opteron 6000 Series Platform Quick Reference Guide | url = http://sites.amd.com/us/documents/48101a_opteron%20_6000_qrg_rd2.pdf | accessdate = 2012-10-15 }}</ref> * Opteron 6200-series "Interlagos" (32 nm)<ref name=Opteron6200>{{cite web | title = AMD Opteron 6200 Series Processor Quick Reference Guide | url = http://www.amd.com/us/Documents/Opteron_6000_QRG.pdf | accessdate = 2012-10-15 }}</ref> Intel Core i7: * Intel Core i7-3960X * Intel Core i7-3930K * Intel Core i7-3820 Intel Xeon: * Intel Xeon E5-16xx * Intel Xeon E5-26xx == See also == * [[List of device bandwidths]] == References == {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== * [http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/cs-011965.htm Single, dual, triple and flex memory modes] <!-- Other languages have separate pages for dual/triple channel memory. --> <!-- The ones for triple channel are listed below. --> {{DEFAULTSORT:Multi-channel memory architecture}} [[Category:Computer memory]] [[Category:Intel x86 microprocessors]] [[Category:SDRAM]] [[ca:Dual channel]] [[de:Dual Channel]] [[de:Triple Channel]] [[es:Doble canal]] [[fr:Canal double]] [[ko:듀얼 채널]] [[it:Dual channel]] [[ja:デュアルチャネル]] [[pl:Dual channel]] [[ru:Двухканальный режим]] [[ru:Трёхканальный режим]] [[zh:雙通道]] [[zh:三通道技术]]'