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A simple RAM question

Tags:
  • Memory
  • DDR3
  • DIMM
  • RAM
  • Kingston
Last response: in Memory
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4 Slots or 2 Slots of Kingston 16GB 1600MHz DDR3 CL9

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September 12, 2014 7:23:50 AM

Hey guys, a quick question,
This: Kingston 16GB 1600MHz DDR3 CL9 DIMM (Kit of 2) XMP Beast
or this: Kingston 16GB 1600MHz DDR3 CL9 DIMM (Kit of 4) XMP Beast

they are pretty much the same but 4 or 2 slots? (4 are cooler)

More about : simple ram question

September 12, 2014 7:27:28 AM

Does your motherboard support quad channel memory? If so quad channel all the way.
September 12, 2014 7:52:51 AM

How much total memory can your motherboard handle? Whatever that is, do a kit that will give half of the total amount in half of the slots. If you ever need to upgrade in the future to the max, you can just pop in another kit of the same type and you will max out, instead of having to get two new kits because your slots are full.
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September 12, 2014 8:22:48 AM

i am about to buy this MB: GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-UD5H-BK, it supports 4 yes, but what benefits will i have with 4?
September 12, 2014 8:53:30 AM

None, as it does not support quad channel for memory. As long as you have two modules of the same size it will run in dual channel mode.
September 12, 2014 8:54:30 AM

so why does the MB has 4 slots?
September 12, 2014 9:05:34 AM

For you to install a higher density of memory. You could install 4 8GB modules and have your max of 32GB. You do not have to use all of the slots and you really would not get any benefit by running 4 instead of two. As I said earlier, people usually get the largest amount they can afford while using the least amount of slots as that will allow you to upgrade in the future without wasting an entire kit.
a c 2285 } Memory
September 12, 2014 5:54:08 PM

Basically for the same amount of DRAM on a dual channel mobo want to go the lowest you can and still have a minimum of 2 sticks to utilize dual channel which can provide up to a 10-15% gain over single channel mode. The mobo has 4 slots, yes (2 are assigned to each of the two available channels - Channel A and Channel B), the advantage of 2 over 4 sticks on a dual channel mobo is less stress on the MC (memory controller) and ever so slightly faster
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