[RESPONDED] Dual channel memory not working?

Framework Laptop 13 Linux
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1

Hello,

I have a Framwork 13 with Intel 11th gen processor and when I bought it, I also got a 32GB memory bank, that was sitting in slot 0 for the past couple of years.

Today I bought a second memory bank, of the same model and producer as the previous one. For reference: this is the product

Given some other forum posts I read on this site, I expected them to work in dual channel mode out-of-the-box. After mounting the memory bank and powering up the laptop, it took a good minute or two to test the memory before showing the framework logo. I entered BIOS and made sure that both were correctly recognized, and they both showed up in the main BIOS screen.

I booted up Arch Linux, and then started to dig around trying to find a proof of whether the memories are indeed used in dual mode. But I could not find any useful information.

Can somebody please help understanding me if dual mode is enabled or not?

Here’s the output of a typical command that is referenced in many discussions about dual mode

sudo dmidecode -t 17
# dmidecode 3.5
Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 3.3.0 present.

Handle 0x0015, DMI type 17, 92 bytes
Memory Device
	Array Handle: 0x0014
	Error Information Handle: No Error
	Total Width: 64 bits
	Data Width: 64 bits
	Size: 32 GB
	Form Factor: SODIMM
	Set: None
	Locator: Controller0-ChannelA-DIMM0
	Bank Locator: BANK 0
	Type: DDR4
	Type Detail: Synchronous
	Speed: 3200 MT/s
	Manufacturer: Crucial Technology
	Serial Number: E902509B
	Asset Tag: 9876543210
	Part Number: CT32G4SFD832A.M16FE
	Rank: 2
	Configured Memory Speed: 3200 MT/s
	Minimum Voltage: Unknown
	Maximum Voltage: Unknown
	Configured Voltage: 1.2 V
	Memory Technology: DRAM
	Memory Operating Mode Capability: Volatile memory
	Firmware Version: Not Specified
	Module Manufacturer ID: Bank 6, Hex 0x9B
	Module Product ID: Unknown
	Memory Subsystem Controller Manufacturer ID: Unknown
	Memory Subsystem Controller Product ID: Unknown
	Non-Volatile Size: None
	Volatile Size: 32 GB
	Cache Size: None
	Logical Size: None

Handle 0x0016, DMI type 17, 92 bytes
Memory Device
	Array Handle: 0x0014
	Error Information Handle: No Error
	Total Width: 64 bits
	Data Width: 64 bits
	Size: 32 GB
	Form Factor: SODIMM
	Set: None
	Locator: Controller1-ChannelA-DIMM0
	Bank Locator: BANK 0
	Type: DDR4
	Type Detail: Synchronous
	Speed: 3200 MT/s
	Manufacturer: Crucial Technology
	Serial Number: E604621B
	Asset Tag: 9876543210
	Part Number: CT32G4SFD832A.C16FE
	Rank: 2
	Configured Memory Speed: 3200 MT/s
	Minimum Voltage: Unknown
	Maximum Voltage: Unknown
	Configured Voltage: 1.2 V
	Memory Technology: DRAM
	Memory Operating Mode Capability: Volatile memory
	Firmware Version: Not Specified
	Module Manufacturer ID: Bank 6, Hex 0x9B
	Module Product ID: Unknown
	Memory Subsystem Controller Manufacturer ID: Unknown
	Memory Subsystem Controller Product ID: Unknown
	Non-Volatile Size: None
	Volatile Size: 32 GB
	Cache Size: None
	Logical Size: None
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2

That’s memory training not quite the same as testing but it tends to take longer with higher capacities and faster speeds.

Since the laptop only has 2 memory slots that are wired to 2 separate memory channels, it is pretty much impossible to not be running dual channel and have both sticks show up. Anyway a nice way to verify it is actually so would be nice.

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3

The locators in your output differ in controller, not channel. I suspect that can be taken as a hint to different “paths” aka dual-channel being used.

As @Adrian_Joachim said, not much flexibility in the hardware, if both sticks are recognized there is no reason to doubt dual channel working.

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4

Echoing what was suggested above. I would assume it’s working as both sticks are recognized.

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