Dual channel vs DDR ram

Question

I understand that DDR ram is basically sending the data on the falling and rising ends of the clock wave, but what is Dual Channel Memory. Google is just saying that it doubles the speed.

Answer 1

Dual channel memory doubles the throughput by talking to two memory modules at the same time. Instead of having to read 128 bytes from one module, you read 64 bytes from each of two modules at the same time and accomplish the same amount of data being read in less time.

Note that, unlike DDR memory, dual channel memory is not a type of memory. You can't go down to the store and buy some dual channel memory. It's a system capability that requires a memory controller with two channels each of which must be connected to at least one memory module. Many motherboards have other requirements -- for example, usually each channel must be populated with the same amount of memory.

Answer 2

Then google is wrong. (or you misinterpreted).

Dual channel is a term used when a memory controller (read: North bridge of the chipset or the CPU) can use two independent memory channels. That theoretically doubles the memory bandwidth.

Not because it is twice as fast, but because two can be used simultaneously.

Analogy: You can transport twice as much good per time with two cars, but the cars do not get twice the top speed.

In praxis this means that your computer runs about 5% faster because it spends less time waiting for memory accesses.