Please Explain Dual Channel Memory

[brent0saurus]

What decides if a computer supports Dual Channel Memory or not? I understand I can go to Crucial.com and check my model but I want to know what decides it. Dual processors? Dedicated graphics card? I can't seem to find any info.
Thanks!

 

[disconap]

From Wikipedia:

Dual Channel memory controllers are memory controllers where the DRAM devices are separated on to two different buses to allow two memory controllers to access them in parallel. This doubles the theoretical amount of bandwidth of the bus. In theory, more channels can be built (a channel for every DRAM cell would be the ideal solution), but due to wire count, line capacitance, and the need for parallel access lines to have identical lengths, more channels are very difficult to add.

Longer explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel_architecture

 

[brent0saurus]

From Wikipedia:



Longer explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel_architecture

Thank you, but how do i know when a Mac is capable of this? is there no other way besides going to crucial.com and checking your model or is there a characteristic that can be seen so you can tell?