32 GB vs 16 GB, Quad or Dual?

[dilness]

Hey Guys,

My question is regarding my amount of memory sticks. I currently have 4 Sticks or 8GB. They are 2 different sets though. The two that came with the PC were ADATA 8 GB 1333 Sticks, and then i bought 2 more Kingston 8 GB 1333.

My motherboard's (Asus P8Z77-LK) four slots are color coded for the chanels so i have my ADATA on the 1st and 3rd slots and my Kingston on the 2nd and 4th. So im guessing this would be considered a "2 dual channel" set up...

My question is, Am i running slower than if i were to have just 2 sticks of 8 GB?

Who really has advantage in performance the one who has more RAM or the one who has less RAM but with a higher frequency?

Then i see kits like this:

http://www.corsair.com/us/memory-by-product-family/dominator-platinum-ddr3-memory/dominator-platinum-series-32gb-4-x-8gb-ddr3-dram-2400mhz-c10-memory-kit-cmd32gx3m4a2400c10.html

and wonder if i should start saving for it, not even 100 sure if my mobo would be taking full advantage of it.


I really just want to grasp and understand this whole Dual Channel and Quad Channel stuff. This is my first rig so i want it to be pretty bad ass lol (obviously within my means).

Thanks beforehand for any help you guys can offer me!

 

[Eximo]

Speed wise a dual channel kit 2x4GB or 4x2GB is equivalent and the same for 2x8GB vs 4x4GB. 4 sticks consumes more power then 2. From an upgrade standpoint, having all your slots filled means you pretty much have to replace all your ram to get an upgrade.

Quad channel memory is limited to the LGA2011 platform.

 

[Eximo]

The 4x8GB 2400Mhz kit would operate in dual channel mode on your system.

For Z77 any memory faster then 1333 is considered an overclock, you will not notice a real world difference between 1333 and 2400

1333 Ram will have much tighter timings then 2400.
Theoretically, 5-5-5-20 memory at 1333 is just as fast as 10-10-10-40 memory at 2600Mhz, So 10-12-12-31 at 2400Mhz is an improvement and about as fast as you can go, but not as much as you would think.

Unless you have very heavy workloads you will not see much benefit out of more then 8GB of memory.

 

[Sangeet Khatri]

I don't think that there would be any notable difference in performance. RAM rarely affects performance. Considering that you have similar sticks at the same color coded slots and your motherboard supports dual channel memory, then you are good to go. I have never heard anyone complaining about slow performance with similar kind of setup.

As far as i think, it is okay, but let the experts have their say.

Have a look at this video, it might help you. It explains memory channels. And it is explained by Linus who is most PC builders favorite reviewer..

 

[Tradesman1]

Your CPU/MC decides how many channels can be used, your rig is strictly dual channel, so sticks or 4 it's still in dual. The more sticks you run the more stress on the MC (memory controller) so if you wanted 16GB, then 2x8GB is the preferred approach over a 4x4GB. As far as frequency goes, a lot depends on what you do, where faster DRAM shines and can show a larked difference is if you multi-task a lot, use memory centric programs or large data sets....while stictly more or less performance wise with say sets at 1333/6, 1600/7, 1866/8, 2133/9, 2400/10 each step provide a bit more 'performance' but where it really comes out is that the 2400 sticks sticks can move almost twice the amount of data each clock cycle as the 1333 sticks, so with large data sets (photos, video, GIS, CAD, etc you are moving more so things progress faster

 

[dilness]

Alright, cool im finally comprehending now thanks to you guys, at the moment by what im seeing im not really running anything as intensive that would require all 32 gigs. I think im going to wait a while before i get a better dual channel set up.

If anything when im ready to upgrade i'll probably sell my current two memory sets and buy the 32GB 2133 GSkill Ripjaws X Kit.

 

[dilness]

Your CPU/MC decides how many channels can be used, your rig is strictly dual channel, so sticks or 4 it's still in dual. The more sticks you run the more stress on the MC (memory controller) so if you wanted 16GB, then 2x8GB is the preferred approach over a 4x4GB. As far as frequency goes, a lot depends on what you do, where faster DRAM shines and can show a larked difference is if you multi-task a lot, use memory centric programs or large data sets....while stictly more or less performance wise with say sets at 1333/6, 1600/7, 1866/8, 2133/9, 2400/10 each step provide a bit more 'performance' but where it really comes out is that the 2400 sticks sticks can move almost twice the amount of data each clock cycle as the 1333 sticks, so with large data sets (photos, video, GIS, CAD, etc you are moving more so things progress faster

I see you have the 32GB 2133 GSkill Ripjaws X kit. Hows your experience with them?

 

[Tradesman1]

Love em....I do a number of DRAM intensive things in conjunction with my work in the systems area (multiple windows, VMs, and use a fair variey of software with CAD, images, video, DBs, etc...so have both my main two rigs loaded with 32GB. I've been using GSkill for a long time, I also volunteer out on their forums as an Admin for support and managing users....Their newest line the Tridents are a tick up as far as OC ability and performance, but not much over the RJ Xs...Sort of wish they bring the RJs or the Snipers out in 2800 - 3000, but there just aren't the ICs....

 

[dilness]

Love em....I do a number of DRAM intensive things in conjunction with my work in the systems area (multiple windows, VMs, and use a fair variey of software with CAD, images, video, DBs, etc...so have both my main two rigs loaded with 32GB. I've been using GSkill for a long time, I also volunteer out on their forums as an Admin for support and managing users....Their newest line the Tridents are a tick up as far as OC ability and performance, but not much over the RJ Xs...Sort of wish they bring the RJs or the Snipers out in 2800 - 3000, but there just aren't the ICs....

Awesome man! cant wait to give them a try. Once i see how much i can sell these other 4 sticks at, ill see how much more ill need for the Ripjaws. They cost 320 @ Newegg at the moment.

 

[Tradesman1]

Yep, stick with the CL9 also, they have slower 2133 10 and/or 11 sets, but performance wise will want the 9 (also have the Tridents at $310 in CL9 😉 )