16Gb HOW-TO? 2x8 or 4x4?

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creizlein

creizlein

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Jan 27, 2011
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I'm getting a new mobo and CPU, those are going to be "Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD5H Z87 LGA 1150" for the mobo and "Intel Core i5-4670K" for the CPU, and I also need to purchase some memory

I'm aiming to get 16Gb total memory so my first question is, would i benefit from getting 4x4Gb modules or 2x8Gb ? does it make any difference rather than space/future expansion possibilities?
Not sure how all this quad channel/dual channel stuff works now-days...

Secondly, what is the difference between voltages, or rather, which voltage should i purchase? i see there are 1.6, 1.5 and 1.35 options around...

Regards,
 
Solution
B
No diference at all, just make sure if you select 2x8, they are both on the same dimm color slot ie in dual channel mode.
cant say your gona see any diference bethen 8 and 16gb in games, but in multitasking and other memory intensive programs sure.
1.5v 1600MHz is the standart, 1.5-1.6v 1866 is the recomended, more brings little gains and high price. its a desktop so voltage is of second importance, first being speed.
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No diference at all, just make sure if you select 2x8, they are both on the same dimm color slot ie in dual channel mode.
cant say your gona see any diference bethen 8 and 16gb in games, but in multitasking and other memory intensive programs sure.
1.5v 1600MHz is the standart, 1.5-1.6v 1866 is the recomended, more brings little gains and high price. its a desktop so voltage is of second importance, first being speed.
 
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Solution


Going for 2x8 makes your chances of memory failure go down by 50%, also, not many other programs can take advantage of 16Gb of RAM, unless you do video editing and 3D graphic work.

 
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The answer to your question is quite simple, it really depends on if you want to fill up all of your memory slots on you computer. The major difference is that you will be getting a slight boost in performance, however like mentioned before you will lower your reliability. But unless your going to be doing some really really hard movie editing or graphics rendering on your computer, that isn't even a issue, unless the memory is just plain faulty. Me personally I like to keep all my slots filled because it looks nicer and it slightly faster, so i recommend 4x4gb.
 
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1. Go with 2 x 8GB which is the better option than 4x4GB. The main reason is 2x8GB will run causing less stress to the memory controller (MC) which can prolong your CPU's life. Also, you can add more memory if you choose to upgrade above 16GB and you will still be running in Dual channel. Even if you go with 4x4GB it's not like the memory will transform to quad channel it will still run in Dual channel with more stress to the MC and probably you will have to ditch the sticks if you are upgrading the memory (which won't happen unless you are using something like DAW or 3D modelling).

2. You can go with 1.5v or 1.35v.
With the lower voltage requirements, it gives you more room to adjust voltage to help with stability in overclocking or running tighter timings. Running at 1.65V, you don't have room to adjust the voltage up to make an overclock stable.
Click to expand...
So stick with either 1.5v or 1.35v IMO.

As for speed is concerned, try 1866MHz or 1600MHz for stable speed. Good luck with the purchase. :)


 
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Thank you very much for all the answers i have opted to go for 2x8 then as there is no actual speed gain in using 4x4, and i can upgrade later on if needed, this machine is not used for gaming, its mostly for testing, developing, media centre, and playing with random games occasionally ...

All answers contributed as for the solution, thanks Leghouse,. Whammy and procyen, good points on those answers
Appreciated.

To make this thread completed, here is the choosed product in case it help others:
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231660
 
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So you are saying that in year 2030 games will still need 8gb of ram???? omg... just look at Watch Dogs recommended specs, now imagine if there will be a Watch Dogs 2 or 3, you still think that will need 8gb of ram? What about Call of Duty 12, you think that will be fine with 8gb of ram, dude, 8gb will be nothing in the next 10 years, I bet everything on that! There is a reason why there are 16,32 and 64gb.. future proof, HELLO, they are working on those extreme hardcore 128gb of ram as you may have heard? Come on dude. THERE IS 0% LOGIC AND POSSIBILITY IN FUTURE GAMES THAT WILL BE LIMITED TO 8GB OF RAM FOR EVER as you said.
I am planning for the 64gb upgrade, sure it is way unnecessary for todays games but I just don't want to upgrade my memory on a 5 year basis or so, I want it to be future proof instantly and for a looong time, so I don't need to buy it once more and over and over.
I would bought the 128gb of ram if they came out this year that would be awesome but keeping on those 8gb omg man.. that is not healthy for your gaming-computer and you will eventually notice it in the near future if you keep up with it that will be. If you keep playing those boring ass oldies sure 8gb will be fine! I am just saying.

To the author: Go with 2x8gb, having 4x4 takes more on your PSU and you put it on waste duty. I mean it does not work as much with 8x2 than it does with 4x4 referring to voltage use and electricity performance and that is a good thing, plus you get better in-game performance with 8x2. To be honest I don't understand people with 4x4, do they just want to fill up the motherboard for the look? Though if we are talking about 64gb filling it up is a must because todays memory cards can't handle that amount of gb in one card like 32gbx2 for 64gb of ram, 32 is too much for one card. But when you got the choice of 2 or 4 always go with 2 man, it is the best, 4x4 is a waste and I don't get people that chooses 4x4.

 
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