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Should I upgrade ram speed or add 1 chip when upgrading from tripple channel to dual channel?

Tags:
  • Memory
  • RAM
  • Intel i7
  • Dual Channel
Last response: in Memory
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August 21, 2014 1:36:57 PM

I am in the process of upgrading from an i7-920 on an Asus P6T Deluxe V2 motherboard to an i7-4790k on an Asus Maximus Heo vii board. Currently i am running 12gb (3 x 4gb) tripple channel ram - Corsair Vengance 1600mhz 9-9-9-24. My new board is dual channel so I am wondering if

A) Can I just buy 1 more chip and run 4 chips at 1600mhz
or
B) Should I replace all chips with (2 X 8gb) ram at a higher frequency

A costs $50
B costs around 200$

Any feedback is appreciated.

More about : upgrade ram speed add chip upgrading tripple channel dual channel

a c 2285 } Memory
August 21, 2014 7:00:24 PM

Why not just try w/ 12GB initially and see what you think....you'll be running in what's called flex mode, which in effect you'll have 8GB running in dual channel and the odd 4 in single channel mode. The additional 4GB may well come in handy
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August 21, 2014 7:19:53 PM

If I run 2 chips in dual channel and the 3rd as single channel will I see a speed decrease due to the 3rd chip or will it only access the single channel chip once all 8gb in dual channel are used? In the past I thought this would cause all chips to run as single channel.

Also, would you recommend staying with 1600mhz or would I benefit greatly from higher frequency ram?
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a c 2285 } Memory
August 21, 2014 7:28:51 PM

Way back when, all would revert to single channel until Intel introduced flex mode....as mentioned, initially I'd give them a try and see what you think, 1600 is basically entry level but seems fine to most gamers (as seen here in the forums), my client builds, for gamers and all others start at 1866, if you do multi-tasking, imaging, video, VMs, etc then higher freq DRAM is preferred as that's where it shines
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August 21, 2014 7:40:06 PM

Thank you for the feedback. I am using this for professional recording as well as some games. Will running in flex mode cause instability when overclocking at all? I may be looking at selling my ram with my current board and picking up (2) 8gb chips. Do you have a recommendation?
Thanks.
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Best solution

a c 2285 } Memory
August 21, 2014 7:47:42 PM

In that case, you'll get a better price for the old with the 3 sticks, so go 2x8GB, I'd look at 2x8GB GSkill Snipers or up to Tridents in 1866 or 2133
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