Rules to Enable Dual Channel Mode
To achieve Dual Channel mode, the following conditions must be met:
Matched DIMM configuration in each channel
Same Density (128MB, 256MB, 512MB, etc.)
Matched in both Channel A and Channel B memory channels
Populate symmetrical memory slots (Slot 0 or Slot 1)
Note: Configurations that do not match the above conditions will revert to Single Channel mode.
The following conditions do not need to be met:
Same brand
Same timing specifications
Same DDR speed
Note: Memory channel speed is determined by the slowest DIMM module populated in the system.
Source :
http://www.intel.com/support/motherb.../CS-011965.htm