From a performance or system stability point of view, would having 2 sticks of 8GB or 4 sticks of 4 GB be better in a dual channel DDR3 system? Assuming timings to be the same in both situations. I want to say that I've read having 4 sticks in dual channel mode will only allow access to 2 of the sticks at any given time. On the other hand I've also heard that one would want to spread out their memory across as many sticks as possible. I'd love some feedback or links to articles on this, thanks!
2 vs 4 sticks of dual channel DDR3?
- Thread starter hahapants
- Start date
Solution
Someone Somewhere
Titan
- Sep 23, 2012
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No difference, though the memory controller sometimes reduces the tertiary timings with more than one stick per channel.
It can only talk to one stick per channel at a time.
You have more upgrade room if you go with 2x8GB though.
It can only talk to one stick per channel at a time.
You have more upgrade room if you go with 2x8GB though.
- Oct 30, 2004
- 32,255
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Dual channel memory works best w/ two channels .... it certainly can do 4, but in my experience, I find the extra load on the CPUs memory controller means my CPU OC gets knocked down a bit unless I relax the timings. So lets say I have 2 sticks in and I'm running DDR3-1866 CAS 9 .... if I add 2 more sticks I might find myself knocked down to 4.7 and need to drop CAS to 10 to get back to get back up to 4.8
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7494225_dual-channel-ddr3.html
In the interests of full disclosure....I'm speaking from my latest experience with the Intel 920, 950, 960 platform .... haven't bothered to mess w/ 4 sticks on SB / IB
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7494225_dual-channel-ddr3.html
In the interests of full disclosure....I'm speaking from my latest experience with the Intel 920, 950, 960 platform .... haven't bothered to mess w/ 4 sticks on SB / IB
nukemaster
Titan
- Nov 23, 2004
- 19,626
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The performance should be about the same. A benchmark may be able to see a slight difference.
In general, 2 sticks is more easy for the systems memory controller(and some timings can be tightened as the user above has mentioned).
In general, 2 sticks is more easy for the systems memory controller(and some timings can be tightened as the user above has mentioned).
Tradesman1
Legenda in Aeternum
- Jun 5, 2013
- 67,883
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Yes, two sticks is the best way to go, less stress on the MC and nano-seconds faster as only dealing with two physical devices
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