What is best when considering RAM, 2 sticks to make up 8 or 16GBs, or 4x4?

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MrCanEHdian

MrCanEHdian

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Apr 9, 2014
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I keep finding different answers and reasons for those answers around the internet, so I'm wondering, if I want to make 8Gbs of RAM, should I buy one stick of 8Gbs, or 2x4Gbs?

If I want 16Gbs, should I do 4x4Gbs or 2x8 GBs or one 16Gb stick (if that exists)?

Is there even a need for 16Gbs when gaming, and if not now, in the near future could more than 8GBs be necessary?

Thank you!
 
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damric

damric

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Sep 17, 2010
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Generally two sticks of larger density (unless your CPU has a quad channel memory controller). That way you can add more later if needed. Two sticks is also easier on the memory controller in general.

Occasionally I will buy a high end 4 piece kit, and "bin" the best two modules.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Jun 5, 2013
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____________________

+1

With a dual channel mobo 2x4GB for 8, or 2x8GB for 16GB = less stress on the MC (memory controller + the advantage of running dual channel which can provide up to a 10-15% performance boost, when in dual channel the MC see thae DRAM as a single 128 bit device where as in single channel it sees it for what it is - a 64 bit device
 
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MrCanEHdian

MrCanEHdian

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I'm really liking both of these answers, thank you! Some places online said basically what both of you said, but occassionally someone would counter with 4 sticks causing less stress on the system. 2 sticks does seem like a good idea, as it leaves room for expansion later on.

Are 16GBs too much for gaming? Or, are they worth it right now?
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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On the 4 sticks, think about it - would you rather carry two things or 4, walk 4 dogs or 2, try and handle 2 machines at once or 4 - it's easier for the MC to deal with two sticks than it is 4 - less stress on MC.... We been going through a progression for years, not long ago, it was "2GB is all you'll ever need', then it was 4GB, now it's 8GB...." gaming and enthusiast rigs are generally noted for being a step up and over prebuilts, but go look at prebuilts today, the majority are 6-8 GB rigs and there are more and more 16GB rigs out there, so while 8GB is sufficient, I think 16GB is a better sweetspot, especially since DDR3 continues to rise in price and prob will and you more than likely want the computer to last at least a few years
 
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MrCanEHdian

MrCanEHdian

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That does make a lot of sense haha. Also, I considered prebuilts but they all seem to have cheap, low end motherboards, while making everything else look great, like high end CPUs and GPUs. Very good point, 16GBs might be a good call then haha.
 
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