16GB RAM advice for Haswell build

[Medwynd]

I plan on doing a build with an ASUS ROG Hero and a 4770K CPU. I would like to use a 2133 speed kit but what I don't know is if it matters if I get in a 2x8 or 4x4 configuration.

http://www.gskill.com/en/configurator?manu=29&chip=1307&model=1407

Looking at the GSKill ram configurator it seems like they recommend:

[RipjawsX] F3-17000CL11Q-16GBXL CL11-11-11-30 4x4
[RipjawsX] F3-2133C10D-16GXM CL10-12-12-31 8x2
[RipjawsX] F3-2133C10Q-16GXM CL10-12-12-31 4x4
[RipjawsX] F3-2133C9D-16GXH CL9-11-11-31 8x2
[RipjawsX] F3-2133C9Q-16GXL CL9-11-11-31 4x4

[Sniper] F3-17000CL9Q-16GBSR CL9-11-10-28 4x4
[Sniper] F3-2133C10D-16GSR CL10-12-12-31 8x2
[Sniper] F3-2133C10Q-16GSR CL10-12-12-31 4x4

[Ares] F3-2133C10D-16GAB CL10-12-12-31 8x2
[Ares] F3-2133C11Q-16GAO CL11-11-11-30 4x4
[Ares] F3-2133C9Q-16GAB CL9-11-10-28 4x4
[Ares] F3-2133C10Q-16GAB CL10-12-12-31 4x4

[RipjawsZ] F3-2133C10Q-16GZM CL10-12-12-31 4x4 * Noted as Intel Core i7 processor family for socket LGA-2011(Ivy Bridge-E)

[TridentX] F3-2133C9D-16GTX CL9-11-11-31 8x2

 

[John Connor]

I plan on doing a build with an ASUS ROG Hero and a 4770K CPU. I would like to use a 2133 speed kit but what I don't know is if it matters if I get in a 2x8 or 4x4 configuration.

http://www.gskill.com/en/configurator?manu=29&chip=1307&model=1407

Looking at the GSKill ram configurator it seems like they recommend:

[RipjawsX] F3-17000CL11Q-16GBXL CL11-11-11-30 4x4
[RipjawsX] F3-2133C10D-16GXM CL10-12-12-31 8x2
[RipjawsX] F3-2133C10Q-16GXM CL10-12-12-31 4x4
[RipjawsX] F3-2133C9D-16GXH CL9-11-11-31 8x2
[RipjawsX] F3-2133C9Q-16GXL CL9-11-11-31 4x4

[Sniper] F3-17000CL9Q-16GBSR CL9-11-10-28 4x4
[Sniper] F3-2133C10D-16GSR CL10-12-12-31 8x2
[Sniper] F3-2133C10Q-16GSR CL10-12-12-31 4x4

[Ares] F3-2133C10D-16GAB CL10-12-12-31 8x2
[Ares] F3-2133C11Q-16GAO CL11-11-11-30 4x4
[Ares] F3-2133C9Q-16GAB CL9-11-10-28 4x4
[Ares] F3-2133C10Q-16GAB CL10-12-12-31 4x4

[RipjawsZ] F3-2133C10Q-16GZM CL10-12-12-31 4x4 * Noted as Intel Core i7 processor family for socket LGA-2011(Ivy Bridge-E)

[TridentX] F3-2133C9D-16GTX CL9-11-11-31 8x2

I have read that using 2x8 will be easier on the Northbridge.

i have no graphic card. So can I increase RAM instead of graphic card for videos

Create your own thread with more of an explanation.

 

[bonehead123]

if you only have 4 slots and go with 4x4 now, then to upgrade further you will have to ditch some or all of the 4GB chips....so if it were me I would go with the 8x2 for sure

 

[Medwynd]

I don't usually throw more ram into a machine once it's built so filling all the slots isn't an issue

 

[tweakboy]

Def, go 8GB x 2 for dual channel.

 

[CakeMonster]

The cheapest possible 1600Mhz 2x8Gb set is practically always the answer, unless you have very specific needs. And in that case you would probably have known already.

 

[Morbus]

I've just built an i5 4670K machine with 2x8GB on it, planning to get another 2x8GB if I ever need it. That was my choice, but it all depends if you want to keep the DIMMs you're buying now for a future RAM upgrade.

 

[Jacky60]

Go 2x8gb don't limit yourself so soon.

 

[TemjinGold]

Does the 2X8 cost substantially more? There's no upside to having it in more sticks but there are downsides--can't add more, harder to overclock and keep stable, etc.

If this is a gaming machine, I wouldn't worry too much about speed honestly unless you plan on benching. Get the cheapest quality ram you can in that case and add a video card with what you save.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I don't usually throw more ram into a machine once it's built so filling all the slots isn't an issue

Does the 2X8 cost substantially more? There's no upside to having it in more sticks but there are downsides--can't add more, harder to overclock and keep stable, etc.

If this is a gaming machine, I wouldn't worry too much about speed honestly unless you plan on benching. Get the cheapest quality ram you can in that case and add a video card with what you save.

The G.SKILL options are among the best. There were also some low-voltage Samsung without heat-shields that were stellar for the price, OC'able and probably with black parts used also by G.SKILL.

Going from 8GB to 16, I chose to fill all the slots and pay half (and generally, there is a linear relationship between module size in GB and price). For that, I have 4x4 Ripjaws GBRL 1600's which have a spec voltage of 1.5V. Raising the voltage probably more than I needed to about 1.52V while bumping up the VCCIO only to around 1.12+V, they've been OC'd to 1866 with command rate 1. I see the 2x8 16GB kits rated above 1866 are often spec'd at 1.6V.

My mobo is a socket 1155, while yours is Haswell socket 1150, and I would expect improvements in the board and of course the processor. I would think 2x8 configurations might use a little less power.

Either way, testing the RAM takes time. It took me about 4 days to get through one "1000%" set of test iterations. I admire my own patience, since you would only be able to tweak the RAM voltage, speed and latencies between tests!

 

[schmuckley]

I'd go with 4x4 kit..
Try and watch out for single-sided MFRs