3 x 2GB with 2600K

[Conquistador SW]

I am looking to save some money on buying memory for a cruncher. I have this older DDR3 1600 CL7 Corsair Dominator 3 x 2GB set. What would happen if I use this in combination with a 2600K. Will the first 2 sticks run in dual channel and the third in single or will it all revert back to single channel? And if the first 2 stick will run in dual channel will those have access priority over the stick that runs in single channel?

[OldChap]

Which MB?

[Conquistador SW]

Asus P8Z68-V Pro

Edit: I can only find this passage in my manual:

"You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel configuration. Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel configuration."

But this just mean that if I install a 1GB and 2GB stick, 2GB total will be in dual channel and the excess second half of the 2GB stick will be in single channel. I want just a normal 2x2GB plus a single 2GB and was hoping the 2x2GB would be in dual channel and the single 2GB in single channel and that the system would prioritize using the dual channel sticks first and only use the single channel stick when the first 4GB is full.

[OldChap]

Yep, no reference to 3 sticks in my Max V Gene manual either.

Start with 4Gig and get things up to speed then try the 3rd maybe, just guessing that you will end up with 4 in dual and 2 in single.

You can get by with 4Gig in a cruncher if not anyway

[Conquistador SW]

The computer will also be my fathers workstation and he sometimes uses Photoshop and a scanner that use a lot of memory. 4 GB is a little bit too less, 6GB would be enough.

I was thinking of just trying it, but I don't know a memory test that can test memory speed per stick or something to test if the first 4GB will still be in dual channel if I ad the third stick. Can Cpu-z or another program detect which sticks are in dual channel and which not per stick?

Thanks for helping!

[OldChap]

Later today I will strip down my i7 950 rig that will not post. If I have a minute I will try it on giga p67.

Failing that tomorrow on the asus

EDIT: what ram is yours?

[Conquistador SW]

That would be great OldChap!

my ram is Corsair Dominator 1600 CL7 http://www.corsair.com/cmp6gx3m3a1600c7.html