1 set of 32GB (2x16GB) for $220 vs 2 sets of 16GB (2x8GB) for $200

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raisonjohn

raisonjohn

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Feb 22, 2015
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As the title, which is a better deal?

RAMs are the same brand, speed, latency, etc. and will be used on a Z170 (dual channel). The 32GB is what is required - no more no less (so, no future upgrade/add-on if only 2 slots are used). Just a direct comparison: one store has the 2x16GB selling at $220 while another store only has 2x8GB on stock selling at $100 (will buy 2, so, $200).
 
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PatrioticPickle

PatrioticPickle

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Dec 2, 2015
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Well if you have no intention of upgrading by adding more RAM in the future, the 2 sets for $200 will be fine, you will save $20. But as I said you cant add more later then without getting rid of the existing ones.

I'd assume that the 2x 16gb sticks would have higher resale value though.

 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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The advantage of having FOUR sticks is that you can return two if one goes defective, and still have 16GB dual-bandwidth.

If you only have one stick then returning one drops your bandwidth to half which may reduce performance of the CPU noticeably depending on what you are doing.

Companies advise returning the ENTIRE set due to the way they are manufactured but that's not practical. I contacted G.Skill and they recommended all four, but said they would allow just two.

I got TWO new ones, and the timings were just SLIGHTLY different. I had NO PROBLEMS though, expect that the memory showed up in BIOS properly but not using CPU-Z and other software.

When I ran Memtest86 the performance was proper, and no errors so that's all that matters.
 
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panathas

panathas

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Feb 12, 2014
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I'd also recommend one set. Every set has memory sticks that are tested and guaranteed to work together in dual channel mode without issues. If you want to buy 4 memory sticks you have to buy again a set with 4 sticks. If you buy 2 sets there is no guarantee that they''ll work perfectly even if they are the exact same model. Two different sets with the same model numbers may have different memory chips on them. The majority of the time they'll work just fine but you'll want to avoid future headaches.

Also you have to consider the memory clearance problem with a lot of big air coolers. Some of those coolers block one or two motherboard memory slots or they allow only low profile RAM modules. I don't know what cooler you have and what memory modules you want to buy but you also have to consider that factor.

So in general one set is the more flexible choice, even if it costs a little bit more.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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1) I was recommending buying a 4-stick kit, not two sticks so it doesn't become a debate until later.

2) I've mixed sticks with no issues (same model which still showed different timings due to later manufacture date) which I know is no guarantee they'll work

3) Even if you do have some issue, it's relatively easy to change a couple settings to get it working (basically if any issue, look up the settings and raise any timings HIGHER so they match)

4) RMA may take WEEKS to get the new memory returned.

Summary:
So yeah, ideally you want all sticks to be identical, but like most stuff it's pros vs cons which in this case really boils down to:

In the FUTURE I:
a) Turn in the ENTIRE kit and wait (weeks?), or
b) take a chance and return TWO sticks (which are probably easy to get working if any issues)
 
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