16GB using 4x4GB - Two kits or one?

[Carson Dyle]

I'm going to build a new system with 16GB of DDR3 1600 CL9. Using G.Skill Ares modules I can get one 4x4GB kit for $93 or two 2x4GB kits for $94 (Newegg). No cost difference, as far as I'm concerned.

What I'm concerned about is that with the four stick kit, if I have to RMA one stick then I'll likely have to pull all the RAM and be without a PC for at least a few days.

Are there any real advantages to using a 4x4GB kit?

 

[TemjinGold]

Get this instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231486

Or if you must have 1600 ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231489

 

[Carson Dyle]

With a 2x8GB kit, if one stick goes bad I'd be in the same boat.

 

[Skott]

If you are that concerned about a possible bad stick (which can happen with any kit) then go with two 2x4GB kits.

 

[TemjinGold]

A 2X8 is superior to 4 sticks in pretty much every way. Ram doesn't go bad nearly as often as you think (test it working and it will likely NEVER go bad--that's why companies offer lifetime warranty). But yeah, if you are that afraid, get the 2 kits.

 

[Carson Dyle]

A 2X8 is superior to 4 sticks in pretty much every way.

Other than the ability to add additional RAM in the other two slots (assuming a four slot motherboard), and a slightly lower power draw, what are the advantages? There's a fairly significant cost difference to buying an equivalent 2x8 kit vs a 4x4 kit - about +25% for DDR3 1600 CL9.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you have a four-slot mobo, if you want to max out the memory (32GB), then you need to use 4x8GB modules. However, Win7 Home Premium 64-bit maxes out at 16GB. So you need Pro or Ultimate to utilize more memory than that.

Do you already have your OS? If so, that may determine the path you take for your memory.

 

[Carson Dyle]

If you have a four-slot mobo, if you want to max out the memory (32GB), then you need to use 4x8GB modules. However, Win7 Home Premium 64-bit maxes out at 16GB. So you need Pro or Ultimate to utilize more memory than that.

Do you already have your OS? If so, that may determine the path you take for your memory.

Yes, Win7 Pro. I don't expect to ever have a need for more than 16GB during the lifetime of this computer, though. Maybe the next one will have 128GB.

 

[TemjinGold]

Other than the ability to add additional RAM in the other two slots (assuming a four slot motherboard), and a slightly lower power draw, what are the advantages? There's a fairly significant cost difference to buying an equivalent 2x8 kit vs a 4x4 kit - about +25% for DDR3 1600 CL9.

Yes, fewer sticks is less strain on the memory controller and less latency overall. If you are an overclocker, fewer sticks allows you to reach higher OCs than more sticks. I would not buy a 2x8 with the same listed stats as the 4 gig sticks because that isn't worth the extra money. You will literally not see ANY difference between those stats and the modules I linked you.

On a side note, the reason the CL and whatnot is worse is BECAUSE the sticks are higher capacity. DDR31600 CL9 4gb stick is NOT the same quality as DDR31600 CL9 8 gig stick (it takes a higher grade stick to produce the latter.) That's why the price difference is so large.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Yes, fewer sticks is less strain on the memory controller and less latency overall. If you are an overclocker, fewer sticks allows you to reach higher OCs than more sticks.

What is this "less strain on the memory controller"?

Are you talking about OCing of the CPU or of the memory itself?

 

[TemjinGold]

The memory controller is basically the dispatcher who hands out assignments to the memory sticks. If you have 4 sticks instead of 2, that's twice as many sticks to hand assignments to. Since the memory controller has twice as many sticks to "manage," you end up with higher latency because the controller's attention is divided more. This loss will more than negate whatever faster timings the 4 sticks might have.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

I vote for 2x8GB sticks. It is best to use the highest density modules that make sense due to the memory controller issue.

 

[ShintaiDK]

2x8, it also leaves better future options/reuseability. And prices are low.

And for the kits, they dont matter at all. Its simply packaging nothing else.

 

[utahraptor]

Keep in mind that as the memory density goes up it takes more voltage to reach the same speeds or latencies of lesser density modules.

 

[JAG87]

That's silly, don't waste money. Get what's cheaper, which 4x4. There is no performance difference.

By the time you will actually need 32GB of ram (unless you need them right now?), DDR4 will be mainstream.

 

[MontyAC]

I went with 4x4 Corsair Vengeance ram. They are running at XMP mode, 1.5 volts, perfectly on my Z68 motherboard. Unless you really need more than 16 gig of ram, 4x4 is fine.