GA-P55A-UD3 dual channel with 6GB DDR3

[EZDude]

This is my first post here, so please be gentle

I recently purchased a GA-P55A-UD3 and 6GB of Mushkin DDR3 RAM (3 x2GB).

I realize this may be a stupid question, and should have researched this before buying this setup.

Can I put 6GB (3x2GB) of RAM on this board and still get dual channel support?

thanks in advance.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Who's been a sillly member then? I am afraid you will need to use two or four modules if you want to enable Dual Channel Mode. Is it possible for you to exchange the modules? It covers it in the manual on page 16

http://download.gigabyte.eu/FileList/Manual/mb_manual_ga-p55a-ud3_v2.0_e.pdf

[EZDude]

Thanks DM.  That's what I figured.  I actually didn't think about this until I was reading the manual (page 16 in fact).  

I got my stuff from Newegg, so I hope they will kind and gentle to me.

Also, should it matter whether I enable dual channel?  I assume so.  Just want to make sure.

Here goes nothing...

RMA please  

[EZDude]

Sorry, but I have another question.

Is 4GB enough RAM for a mid range gaming system?  I will be doing some photo and video editing, but only novice level stuff.  Nothing fancy.

I think I may go with 8GB but I am not sure if that is overkill or not.

thanks again.

[Dark Mantis]

As far as video or graphics goes the more memory the better. I would go with 8Gb if you can. That is as long as you are running 64 bit OS.

[EZDude]

Windows 7 Pro 64 bit.

Now for the decision between PC1600 or PC1333.

Thanks again for the feedback and advice.

[Dark Mantis]

That must be your decision but there isn't a lot of difference between the two in a real world scenario. Benchmarks are one thing but normal usage is another. I run 1600Mhz Corsair Dominators and am very happy with them, rock solid and easy to set up with the XMP setting. But to be honest I bet I would be hard pushed to tell the difference between them and 1333 during my normal use. If there is not much difference in cost go for the 1600 otherwise go for the 1333 in mmy opinion.

[EZDude]

DM you have been a great help.  Thanks for taking the time to post on these forums. 

And thank you for helping me out!