2 Sets or 1 Set?

[3xVicious]

Hey everyone,

I'm planning on stick 16 GB in my upcoming build (Overkill I know). I was curious on whether or not it would be better to buy 2 Sets (2 Packages of 2x4GB DDR3, Same Model Number, Ordered at the same time) or 1 Set of 4x4GB. I've been told that they put 4 Sticks together in 1 package to prevent compatibility issues, but its $50 more then if I were to buy them separately. Would compatibility issues still apply if you're buying the same model number?

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9Q-16GBXL
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
Also what is the significant difference between the last memory and this one that would warrant a $35 increase?

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM
For additional information, I do not plan on Overclocking Memory unless G Skill's Warranty suddenly decides to cover it if I push too far. I'm dead set on 16GB due to it being so cheap now a days. (I use Adobe Photoshop CS2, Adobe After Effects, and 3D Max... Sometimes running all 3 at the same time).

I appreciate any responses, thanks.

 

[Beace]

On your first question, the only difference should be that G.SKILL guarantees that the 4 sticks will work together. Personally I would consider it a non-issue in your case really. I'd say you can be 99.9% certain it'll work just fine getting 2 packages of 2 sticks instead, and save the 50 bucks.

For the second question, the second pair of memory is specced for slightly lower timings (8-8-8-24 instead of 9-9-9-24). This is of course faster, but difference is small, and not worth $35 in my opinion.

 

[Emulex]

no man they come off the line in singles. packaging will not effect them. however i doubt that g.skill tests every stick just spot checks a lot to bin them.

test them separately in case you need to return them.

its not designed for any motherboard. it's ram. skip the b/s marketing dude. they took some ram destined for microcenter and packaged it up special for P67 so you will pay more money for that lol.

 

[taltamir]

The main reason they team them up is because of marketing BS.

I heard claims that they perform testing and match up units with exactly matching signal rates (slightly differences between each unit due to manufacturing imperfection) to allow for extreme overclocking while maintaining dual channel mode (dual channel must remain in sync) but I have never seen any evidence of such testing existing or being needed. Besides if you don't care to do extreme overclocking of your RAM, OR if you intend to switch it to single channel mode before trying to break world records in OC...

They also claim to "test them to work together" but that is a load of BS too.
And that they are the same on the inside (sometimes the same exact model number has several very different chips used); which, if a company is using bait and switch can't be trusted to be true.
Oh, and you can get a bulk buying discount.

since you know 16GB is overkill.. how about 8GB for 40$?
http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/47405/newegg-4gb-2x2gb-kingston-hyperx-blu-ddr3-1600-desktop-memory