4x4GB vs 2x8GB?

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lkubler

Honorable
Dec 30, 2013
3
0
10,510
Hi,

I'm planning a system around the Asus Z87 Pro with an i7-4770K processor. Looking at compatible memory, I'm interested in 16GB, is there any difference between loading it up with 4 - 4GB modules versus 2 - 8GB modules? I tend to like to keep some memory slots open for future expansion but if having 4 modules provides some performance improvement over 2 I'll go that way.

I'm leaning towards DDR3 - 2400 over the 2800 because of the cost. Also looking the G.Skill lines. Specific recommendations are welcome.

Thanks in advance,
Linn
 
Solution
Swordkd
Stick with the 2x 8gb for now. As far as speed is concerned, don't pay a premium for anything over 1600mhz. Generally you can find some type of sale on 1866mhz or 2133mhz so that's worth it, but it's definitely not worth paying much more for anything above that. Also, keep in mind you want the lowest CAS latency that is reasonable. If you can get 16gb's of ddr3 1866 CAS 9 for a good price, I wouldn't bother with anything faster than that.

For example, right now I'd buy either of these three. The 2400mhz set is CAS 10, but equal in price to the others so it's in the mix too.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600...
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jjs0891

jjs0891

Honorable
Dec 26, 2012
767
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11,360
more memory doesn't increase performance unless you're at the point where you actually need to use that extra memory. So if you're gaming, stick with 8GB. If you're video rendering, you may want 16GB or more.

4 sticks doesn't slow anything down.

 
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M

MRSICKNASTYNESS

Honorable
Nov 9, 2013
39
0
10,540
What are you doing with it first. If you running very memory intensive software than i advise 2x8gb now although it will not perform as well as 4x4gb (more active channels = more sticks running = faster setup) if you are just gaming, 4x4. If you are working on renderings and editing, go 2x8 and upgrade

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233278 1866 (only $10 more than 1600), and available in 3 colors, my personal favorite
 
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Swordkd

Swordkd

Splendid
Oct 3, 2012
2,795
1
21,965
Stick with the 2x 8gb for now. As far as speed is concerned, don't pay a premium for anything over 1600mhz. Generally you can find some type of sale on 1866mhz or 2133mhz so that's worth it, but it's definitely not worth paying much more for anything above that. Also, keep in mind you want the lowest CAS latency that is reasonable. If you can get 16gb's of ddr3 1866 CAS 9 for a good price, I wouldn't bother with anything faster than that.

For example, right now I'd buy either of these three. The 2400mhz set is CAS 10, but equal in price to the others so it's in the mix too.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($134.95 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($157.50 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($157.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $450.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-30 19:44 EST-0500)

Gives you some options for sets.
 
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Solution
L

lkubler

Honorable
Dec 30, 2013
3
0
10,510
Hope I'm posting this correctly. Thanks much for the prompt and clear responses. Didn't think to list my uses for this computer in the original post.

I will be using it for a mix of tasks including; gaming, video editing/rendering, light drafting, general office work, software development and VM hosting. Not all at the same time of course.

You all gave basically the same advice so I'm not sure who to award the solution to so I'll just pick the one with the most detail.

Thanks much for the prompt responses,
Linn
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Jun 5, 2013
67,883
40
126,960
16 GB would be the preferable for the uses you list and no reason you can't run multiple apps at once, I often have a couple VMs up, a few browser windows and numerous tabs as well as other things, the 4770K is up to it, and higher freq faster DRAM is quite nice for this, running faster get's things done faster and eliminates frequent read/write calls to your page file. Haswell also loves high freq sticks, see here:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7364/memory-scaling-on-haswell
 
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