The number of memory modules question.

[Steve Rimar]

8gb (4 x 2gb) 240 pin DDR3 SDRAM or 8gb (2 x4gb) 240 pin DDR3 SDRAM.

Is there any benefit using 4 or 2 sticks of memory?

 

[Blain]

2 DIMMs better

 

[KingFatty]

Does this change with DDR4 and the X99 platform, using quad-channel?

 

[Smoblikat]

It is my understanding that fewer DIMMs while maintaining the same capacity and number of channels is ALWAYS better.

 

[darkfalz]

Usually power requirement and MC stress will be marginally higher using 4 banks rather than 2. The main thing is finding a second pair of modules that match the speed and timings of your original bank - but for a new build, always better to get all your RAM in one pair.

As for speed wise, it shouldn't make much difference - I can tell you back in the day with certain chipsets, you'd get better speed from 4 banks vs 2 as the MCH could interleave over a greater number of banks, but I doubt this is still true.

 

[greenhawk]

Generally 2 (in a dual channel system) allow for better timings was you can tune to just that ram stick. Two ram sticks in a single channel have signal issues at high speeds (ergo the invention of registered RAM if wanting more than 2 sticks in a single channel. Not a issue anymore as very few boards allow that configuration anyway).

For quad channel, the story is 4 sticks over 8 sticks of ram. Running a quad channel on only 2 sticks of ram is similar to running a dual channel system on a single stick of ram. It can be done, but you are throwing away performance.

 

[Steve Rimar]

Some good information here.
My question was started because I am going to do a build. My current memory is 4 sticks of G.Skill Ripjaws (4 x 2gb) 240 pin DDR3SDRAM 1600 (PC3 12800) Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL.
Could I use my current memory in the new build or get new 2 sticks of 4gb memory?
Is my current memory a good match?
I was planning on using the Intel Intel Core i5-4690K Processor 3.5 GHz with the ASUS Z97-A ATX DDR3 2600 LGA 1150 Motherboards Z97-A. I think 8gb should be enough for me.

 

[KingFatty]

have you considered the ASUS Z97-AR? the price may be similar, but I think it's slightly revised compared to the Z97-A. At least that is my foggy recollection before I decided to switch from ASUS to MSI and buy the MSI Z97 Gaming-5.

 

[sammykhalifa]

Some good information here.
My question was started because I am going to do a build. My current memory is 4 sticks of G.Skill Ripjaws (4 x 2gb) 240 pin DDR3SDRAM 1600 (PC3 12800) Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL.
Could I use my current memory in the new build or get new 2 sticks of 4gb memory?
Is my current memory a good match?
I was planning on using the Intel Intel Core i5-4690K Processor 3.5 GHz with the ASUS Z97-A ATX DDR3 2600 LGA 1150 Motherboards Z97-A. I think 8gb should be enough for me.

I'm no expert, but I'd have to think you could just keep that RAM for now.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

My question was started because I am going to do a build. My current memory is 4 sticks of G.Skill Ripjaws (4 x 2gb) 240 pin DDR3SDRAM 1600 (PC3 12800) Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL.
Could I use my current memory in the new build or get new 2 sticks of 4gb memory?

If you don't mind the added power requirements of 4 DIMMs vs 2 DIMMs, then yes. You can reuse your current memory with no problems. Make sure to enable XMP though.

There is absolutely no reason to get new memory, especially since you already have a decent 1600MHz kit (that'd be PC3-12800 to use the other parlance). Unless you want 16GB of course.

 

[aigomorla]

2 DIMMs better

not if its a quad channel system... 😛

Does this change with DDR4 and the X99 platform, using quad-channel?

yes... and also with X79 or any other board which uses Quad Channel.

u want to fully populate the channel, so if its a quad channel like the X99, you would want 4 sticks.

But then you would be looking at 4 sticks vs 8 sticks... so Blain's statement holds some truth, because i believe he was talking strictly in aspect to a dual channel system.