4 x 4Gb vs. 2 x 8Gb RAM

[Shockeray]

My build...
CPU: Intel Core i7-3770 3.4GHz Quad-Core
Motherboard: MSI ZH77A-G43 LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s
SSD: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5"
Hard Drive: Seagate SV35.5 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case
Extra Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 148.7 CFM 200mm Fan
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Total: $833.84
(Generated by PCPartPicker)

I want 16Gb of 1600MHz G.Skill RAM.Most likely by the time I need more than 16Gb or RAM, the price of faster speed RAM will have lowered enough for me to get a whole new set.

If my motherboard has four memory slots, would it be better for me to get 2 x 8Gb or 4 x 4Gb?

 

[cin19]

I always recommend get the 2x8GB RAM kit. Both have same performance, so you just get the whatever lower price you can get.

2x 8GBRAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%2050008476%20600006072%20600006127&IsNodeId=1&name=DDR3%201600%20%28PC3%2012800%29&Order=PRICE&Pagesize=20
4X 4GB RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%2050008476%20600006073%20600006127&IsNodeId=1&name=DDR3%201600%20%28PC3%2012800%29

 

[Tufffind]

My build...
CPU: Intel Core i7-3770 3.4GHz Quad-Core
Motherboard: MSI ZH77A-G43 LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s
SSD: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5"
Hard Drive: Seagate SV35.5 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case
Extra Case Fan: BitFenix Spectre Pro LED 148.7 CFM 200mm Fan
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer
Total: $833.84
(Generated by PCPartPicker)

I want 16Gb of 1600MHz G.Skill RAM.Most likely by the time I need more than 16Gb or RAM, the price of faster speed RAM will have lowered enough for me to get a whole new set.

If my motherboard has four memory slots, would it be better for me to get 2 x 8Gb or 4 x 4Gb?

The only difference between using 2 slots instead 4 is you have room to upgrade.
I plan on building a new PC soon and am putting the specs together.
I have a 3 video's on ram which tells how much you need and how fast. I've heard you need more for video editing,but more doesn't hurt. After Ram gets to around 1800 to 2100 it starts to level out anything past that is a waste. You're also paying more for faster Ram and it doesn't up the performance much.
1. 4GB vs 8GB vs 16GB System RAM - Single vs Dual Channel : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrrTkbyjDHk
2. High Speed RAM - Is it Worth it? DDR3 1333MHz vs 2400MHz Test : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWgzA2C61z4
3. Guide to RAM Memory Channels as Fast As Possible : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D8fhsXqq4o

There's a wealth of helpful videos on YouTube. The guy who does the Ram Memory is very good. I saw a few different videos other than these he did. I hope this helps you out.

 

[Tradesman1]

2x8GB is less stress on the MC (memory controller) and ever so slightly better performance