Need 4gigs of ddr3 Ram

I doubt that you could buy a single 4GB module now and 5 more in the future and get all 24GB to run reliably. If you only need 4GB now, why would you need 24GB in the future?

2x4GB or 4x1GB are IMO a waste of money.

Buy a 6GB kit, in the future you can add another 6GB.

how come 6gb of ram spraed out is better ? people say it's because it utilizes the triple channel.... is there a speed boost when all channels are utilized? vs. say just 1 4gig stick alone?

also, the motherboard i'll be getting is this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

in the spec section, it says it supports DDR3 800/1066/1333
what do these numbers mean? the higher the better the memory sticks?

now i'm thinking about getting 3x (2gigs stick) =6 gigs total. (combo package at most sites like newegg.com)

i see some that are ddr3 1600.... does that mean i can't use it for my motherboard? is 1600 that much better than 1333 memory? if so, how? or should i just get a better motherboard?

in addition, what are these performance memory sticks? should i buy those instead?

here is what i'm looking at for the triple 2gigs combo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=E...

http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?...

can someone recommend me a good pacage from either of these links?
here is my motherboard specs:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

intel quad core i7 930 cpu

MSI R5770 Hawk Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


**** and then there's a question about the compatibility of the motherboard i selected and the gpu....... the gpu says PCI express 2.1 while the motherboard spec says PCI express 2.0 what does this mean? they are not compatible with each other? what's the difference between 2.0 and 2.1? *****

I agree with the others that 6GB is plenty for now and adding 6GB will be plenty for several years. You will likely have another computer before 24GB is a necessity. Besides if you are going to pay the extra cash for a triple channel motherboard you might as well take advantage of it.

how about 1600 ram vs 1333 ram? 'cuz some motherboards dont support 1600. so i'm wondering if i should pick up a board that does support 1600 and just buy 3x(2gigs ddr3 1600 ram)

the board i initially had in mind can only do 1333

Which motherboard has that limitation? On an X58 motherboard, the memory controller is on the CPU, not on the motherboard. Unless faster speeds are disabled in the BIOS, your statement might not be correct.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

this is the motherboard i was planningo n getting. but if you check the spec. it does not support 1666 standard ddr3 memory.... but still can someone help me understand the difference between 1333 and 1600?

i will be doing 3d character design and doing a lot of rendering so of course i would prefer to have the best ram possible.

Officially it isn't supported, but it will work. Otherwise, how could that site test it with 1600 memory? http://www.techspot.com/review/168-msi-x58-pro-e/page6.... And Tom's at 1866 MHz? http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cheap-x58-motherboa... According to Tom's, it can run 6 modules at 1942 MHz. That's way higher than 1333 MHz.

there are very few gpu's taking advantage of PCIe2.1. luckily they are backwards compatible. all it will mean is that you won't be able to take advantage of the added speed of 2.1, but that won't make much difference.