2X4GB or 4X2GB - Does it Really Matter?

[RhoXS]

I just received the hardware (CPU. mobo, memory, new SSD, etc.) for my major three year upgrade. I realized I inadvertently ordered 4x2GB (4 sticks for 8 GB) instead of 2X4GB (2 sticks for 8 GB). Does it really matter with respect to memory performance or anything else?

Specifically, the upgraded system will include an i7 2600K, Asus P8P67 Pro, Samsung 128GB 830, and Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600 8 / 8-8-8-24.

 

[fffblackmage]

I've heard people say two sticks is "more stable" than running four sticks, but I haven't any problems with running four sticks of ram, even if they're mixed brand and specs.

If you can still return the 4 sticks and get the 2 sticks, I recommend doing it. It makes upgrading to more ram much easier in the future, so you don't have to take anything out.

 

[pederson_76]

I guess the more sticks you have = the better chance one will fail...
kind of like hard drives in raid 0

 

[KingFatty]

I am also mixing two brands of ram, 4 sticks total of 8 GB.

I guess it's theoretically more challenging to reach the fastest ultimate RAM overclock, but I don't know if its even worth the time/effort to try to overclock ram anymore. I looked at some benchmarking tests with ram overclocking, and I just don't see how the large effort is worth the payoff? Ram is so cheap, you can buy decent ram and not worry about overclocking to the max.

 

[XBoxLPU]

It just makes an upgrade possible in the future. By ordering 4x2 with a mobo with 4 dimm slots, you are maxed out at 8GB. If you had 2x4, you would be at 8GB but able to upgrade to 16GB with another 2x4 pair

 

[RhoXS]

Thanks for the responses. I am perceiving that it really does not much matter with respect to performance. As far as upgrading later, it will be a long time before I perceive a need to go above 8 GB. In fact, I am not sure why I need more than 4 GB now and at only $80 for 8 GB I will worry about upgrading much later.

 

[LagunaX]

Overclocking CPU: might be harder to to hit a higher overclock with 4 x 2gb.
Overclocking RAM: tighter timings easier with 2gb vs. 4gb sticks.

 

[XBoxLPU]

Thanks for the responses. I am perceiving that it really does not much matter with respect to performance. As far as upgrading later, it will be a long time before I perceive a need to go above 8 GB. In fact, I am not sure why I need more than 4 GB now and at only $80 for 8 GB I will worry about upgrading much later.

Wait a sec, I wouldn't pay $80 for 8GB of Memory. The Same Corsair Vengeance memory in a 4x4GB for a 16GB configuration is only $5 to $10 more at $85 to $90