Saving Money On Memory

[Elvaca]

Hey everyone

I just got started with the computer building process.

So I am looking at memory at newegg.com and I see the capacity options:

-1Gb
-2Gb
-2Gb(2x1Gb)
-3Gb(3x1Gb)
-4Gb
-4Gb(2x2Gb)
-6Gb(3x2Gb)
-8Gb(4x2Gb)
-8Gb(2x4Gb)
-12Gb(3x4Gb)
-12Gb(6x2Gb)
-16Gb(4x4Gb)
-24Gb(6x4Gb)

Then I look at some memories for example this 8Gb(2x4Gb) option:
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311
$350

And then at a similar single 4Gb memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231310
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9S-4GBRL - Retail
$170


My question is, if I want 8gb what happens if I buy two single 4Gb memories instead of the other option besides me saving 10 bucks for something else?

Thanks

 

[saint19]

Hi newcomer and welcome to the Tom's hardware forum.

1- The CL of both kits is very high, try to get a RAM with CL8 or less an 1.65V max.
2- The 8GB kits is only two kits of 4GB joined in a same box.,

 

[Elvaca]

Thanks!

Is having a CL of 9 really bad?

How about this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D

And I think i didn't explain my other question so good so here's another question.

If I wanted to have 9Gb of RAM (just an example), could I combine four 2Gb memories and one 1Gb memory without having any problems?

 

[saint19]

1- A CL9 isn't the world's end, but if you want the best performance on games an applications the CL9 isn't recommended.

That Corsair RAM is very good, but take a look of this Mushkin 1600 CL6, cost $20 more but have a better CL.

2- Yeah, you can install the 9GB in the configuration that you want. So, 2 kits of 4GB for a 8GB total, plus 1GB. You won't have a problem, but the 1GB stick only can run in single channel and this would affect the performance of the other RAM and the rig.

That's why usually the RAM is installed in kits of 2GB(2x1GB), 4GB(2x2GB or 4x1GB) or 8GB(2x4GB or 4x2GB) in dual-channel or in kits of 3GB(3x1GB), 6GB(3x2GB), 12GB(6x2GB or 3x4GB ) etc... in tri-channel (for Intel i7-9xx series)

 

[Elvaca]

Best answer selected by Elvaca.

 

[Elvaca]

Awesome answers, thanks!

 

[saint19]

Any time, that's why we are here.