4 Sticks RAM but buying it separately

yukyakyuk

Reputable
Nov 30, 2014
23
0
4,520
I have i7-4790k with Asus Z97 AR.

so my question is, is it going to be work to buy 2 orders of G.SKILL Sniper Series to get a total 16GB RAM of 8GB (2 x 4GB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231460&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

as there's a big discount for it. and it's going to be cheaper than buying 16GB (4x4gb) directly.
 
Solution
Don't do it.
Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.

Moreover, using 4 sticks vs. 2 to get 16gb is not a great idea.
The ram controller needs to run the ram all at the exact same voltage and timings.
That is why 4 stick kits are more expensive, they need to be better binned and matched.

My advice is to buy a single kit of 2 x 8gb ram.
1.5v 1866 is the sweet spot for haswell.
For G'skil, look at the ares low profile versions; lower cas numbers are a bit better.
Don't do it.
Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards can be very sensitive to this.
That is why ram vendors will NOT support ram that is not bought in one kit.

Moreover, using 4 sticks vs. 2 to get 16gb is not a great idea.
The ram controller needs to run the ram all at the exact same voltage and timings.
That is why 4 stick kits are more expensive, they need to be better binned and matched.

My advice is to buy a single kit of 2 x 8gb ram.
1.5v 1866 is the sweet spot for haswell.
For G'skil, look at the ares low profile versions; lower cas numbers are a bit better.
 
Solution

neieus

Distinguished
Wow good question.. I agree and disagree with the previous posters as they make very valid points. I currently have 4x sticks and I bought them at different times but made sure they were from the same maker and had the same timings. I've also done this in the past and never had a problem even when over clicking add I am now. Keep this in mind though... Fewer sticks takes pressure off the memory controller and lowers the chance of something not working.
 

yukyakyuk

Reputable
Nov 30, 2014
23
0
4,520
YOU SIRS are Fast! Thank you for the reply, as a novice i just started into build my own rig a while ago, and i have a lot of questions.

and i've only bought the cpu and mobo on great deal on black friday ! XD
i'm still in dilemma to go with 8GB or 16 RAM

Another question: my first thought was having more channel the better, so if I'm going for 16GB, whick kit is better 4x4 or 2x8 ?
 

yukyakyuk

Reputable
Nov 30, 2014
23
0
4,520


what if for now i buy 1x8gb. can i upgrade it in the future by buying another (same) stick? to get 2x8gb.
 

neieus

Distinguished


You could do that but as it was mentioned before you run into the potential problem mentioned by Geofelt that they are sold in kits for a reason. However that doesn't mean it won't work so you just have to keep that in mind otherwise as long as you're able to find the same memory with the same timings it in theory should work. You always risk the chance that they discontinue that line with your timings.