Memory Performance of Different Sizes

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Seth L

Seth L

Honorable
Dec 1, 2014
121
1
10,710
Okay, I've got a question for the community...
Say you have 2 4GB sticks of RAM(DDR2/3/4, whichever) totaling to 8GB on dual channel, and 1 stick of 16GB RAM.

Which is going to perform better? The single 16GB stick, or 4x4 on dual channel?

P.S.
The sticks of RAM will be the same speed. I guess 1600MHz.

P.P.S.
What you're using it for is irrelevant, what I want to know is in circumstances where memory performance/size means a lot, which performs better? Dual-channel, or a single stick that has more capacity?
 
Solution
k1114
With the same amount of ram, more channels is more bandwidth. 2x8gb vs 4x4gb on a dual channel mobo will perform the same for the same reason. It's still dual channel and the number of channels is what affects performance (speed and amount being the same).

Now if you do complicate this with 2x4gb vs 1x16gb then it is very much situational. There are times where more ram is needed or becomes a serious bottleneck with the system having to page. Or if the ram amount isn't needed then the obvious bandwidth increase wins.
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k1114

k1114

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May 2, 2010
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With the same amount of ram, more channels is more bandwidth. 2x8gb vs 4x4gb on a dual channel mobo will perform the same for the same reason. It's still dual channel and the number of channels is what affects performance (speed and amount being the same).

Now if you do complicate this with 2x4gb vs 1x16gb then it is very much situational. There are times where more ram is needed or becomes a serious bottleneck with the system having to page. Or if the ram amount isn't needed then the obvious bandwidth increase wins.
 
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Solution
Seth L

Seth L

Honorable
Dec 1, 2014
121
1
10,710


That's exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you.
 
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