RAM Questions - Dual Channel or Quad Channel?

[BoomShotKapow]

Hello, I'm working on a build and I'm curious as to what the whole dual channel and quad channel stands for on RAM sticks and motherboard features.

So, I'm considering buying: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128510

And I'm not sure if I should get 4x4GB of DDR3 RAM with dual channel or quad channel features.

4x4GB DDR3 RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231429 Quad Channel

4x4 GB DDR3 RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233143 Dual Channel

Thanks,

BoomShotKapow

P.S: Will this fit with my setup: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

 

[SchizTech]

Your board supports dual-channel RAM, so even if there aren't conflicts you'd see no benefit from the quad-channel kit. Get the dual channel kit.

 

[raytseng]

on the mobo, the dual channel means it needs memory in pairs and it will address the memory differently and split the reads/writes across the 2 physical sticks. somewhat like RAID for harddrives.

This means you need to have matching memory of the same specification to avoid incompatibility.

The memory sticks themselves are supposed to be the same as if you bought them individually,

but when you buy them as a KIT, this indicates the factory tested the sticks together to ensure compatibility, even though individually there should be no problems.

So really, if you bought 4 individual sticks of the same memory it still should work the same. But buying as a KIT means the factory tested them to give you more certainty.

The tested as quadchannel versus tested as dual channel may indicate slightly different tests, but in practical terms, you can just buy at ease knowing all 4 sticks were tested together.

you can also buy 2sets of (2x4gb) or 4 individual sticks and it "should" work exactly the same. but that RAM will never have actually been tested together in 1 machine until you stick them together.
In your case, it looks like buying as a set of 4 costs like $2 extra for that peace of mind that they tested it together compared to buying 2 sets of 2.


I think i may have said the same thing maybe 3 times in slightly different ways. Sorry for repeating myself

 

[raytseng]

with the 212 cooler you may need to be careful about getting tall RAM like the vengence. depending on the mobo.

I don't have that memory or mobo so can't say, read the reviews and see if specific people have problems with that Tall ram.

 

[BoomShotKapow]

with the 212 cooler you may need to be careful about getting tall RAM like the vengence. depending on the mobo.

I don't have that memory or mobo so can't say, read the reviews and see if specific people have problems with that Tall ram.

Yea, I was told that. I'm just not sure how I can actually test. Do you think you could link me to a similar cooler but one that'll guarantee fit? Or should I just go for it and worst case scenario I use the heatsink that comes with the CPU I'm purchasing?

 

[raytseng]

i poked through the reviews of the RAM on newegg. search for 212. People say it fits with either choice.

 

[BoomShotKapow]

Best answer selected by BoomShotKapow.