8 Slots or RAM - Can I buy 4 now and 4 later, or do I need to get all 8 now?

[Apocalyte]

Hey all,

Building a new systems to support VR gaming and rendering. The Motherboard I picked has 8 slots for RAM. Right now I plan on getting 4x16 for 64 GB of RAM, as I understand that I can run those in a quad channel setup if I put them in the right slots. My question is, will I be able to buy another 4 sticks later of the same brand/speed, or will there be a risk in incompatibility due to voltage levels, etc?

I guess the real question is, does the RAM need to be well-matched across all 8 slots, or just in groups of 4?

Thanks all!

 

[bratShone]

first tell us what motherboard u wanna buy 😀
and i think that there is no need to fill or 8 or even 4 slots u can use 1 or 2...

 

[Apocalyte]

Right now the spec is as follows:

Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH X99 LGA 2011-v3 Intel X99
RAM: 4x16 G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 64GB (4 x 16GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3200
CPU: Intel Core i7-5930K
Graphics: GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 980Ti 6GB XTREME GAMING WATERFORCE
Hard drive: Samsung 950 PRO Series - 512GB PCIe NVMe - M.2 Internal SSD

I have other hard drives too that will be coming over.

The rest of the system I have already (Powersupply, case, cooling).

Because I am building a VR system I am trying to ensure my setup has as little lag/framerate drops as possible, as this will be magnified 10x over in a VR environment. So overkill is part of the equation here .

 

[bratShone]

well that mobo have Quad ch. DDR4 support so u can buy 4 now and 4 later, and when u put all 4 of them first in same color slot.

 

[bratShone]

8 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 2400/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory

so it says that suport 2400/2133 mhz and u wanna to put 3200mhz i think that wont work dude

 

[Apocalyte]

well that mobo have Quad ch. DDR4 support so u can buy 4 now and 4 later, and when u put all 4 of them first in same color slot.

My concern is that the next set of 4 won't be compatible with the first set. I know in the 4-slot setups it was ideal to buy them at once as a set of 4, rather than 2 now, 2 later, due to manufacturing differences that might make RAM of the same maker incompatible with stuff made prior. Does that same concern hold true in an 8-slot setup, or is it still really just matching in groups of 4 that matter?

 

[Apocalyte]

8 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 2400/2133 MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory

so it says that suport 2400/2133 mhz and u wanna to put 3200mhz i think that wont work dude

Neweggs specs differ from the ASUS info lower on the page that says "This is the first platform to support DDR4 memory and it's able to drive memory frequencies to 3200MHz (and beyond when overclocked)!"

 

[bratShone]

i dont rly have a experience with all this i just wanted to give u fast tips, sorry for no more help from me 😀

better wait for someone who rly know about this to help you

cheers dude!

 

[fudgecakes99]

Even if the ram wasn't supported at that high of a speed and only 2133/2400 it would just down clock the ram speeds to match, also i'm fairly certain that number is just the absolute lowest it will need to operate. It's the something something standard it starts with a j i think i can't think of the name sadly.

 

[Apocalyte]

If I look on Newegg (for example) G.Skill offers a 4x16 kit for $3xx dollars, whereas they offer an 8x8 kit for $4xx dollars, which tells me that even with 8 slots you ideally want them all tested/matched together, otherwise why would anyone use MORE slots for the same/less memory.

That sound right?

 

[Tradesman1]

The Sabertooth can indeed run faster DRAM though I would prob stick to 2666 due to the AMount and the load it will put on the MC (memory controller). Mixing sets of DRAM can be a crapshoot, see my article - items 2 and 6, here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-myths,4155.html

I'd try and get the full amount you want in a single package

 

[Apocalyte]

The Sabertooth can indeed run faster DRAM though I would prob stick to 2666 due to the AMount and the load it will put on the MC (memory controller). Mixing sets of DRAM can be a crapshoot, see my article - items 2 and 6, here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-myths,4155.html

I'd try and get the full amount you want in a single package

So lets say I was good with 64GB and didn't want to go bigger. Should I do 8x8 and fill it up, or just stick with 4x16 and keep 4 slots empty? Your article seemed to indicate the latter is better, as only have to power 1/2 the RAM sticks.

 

[Tradesman1]

First check and see if the mobo has or will be getting support for 16GB DIMMs, most all XD99 came out as 64GB max and in an 8x8GB setup, the 16GB sticks weren't available

 

[Apocalyte]

First check and see if the mobo has or will be getting support for 16GB DIMMs, most all XD99 came out as 64GB max and in an 8x8GB setup, the 16GB sticks weren't available

Good call. 64gb is max, so I'm assuming I'd need to go with 8x8 to get it.

 

[Tradesman1]

Some have been expanded to more, it's on the individual mobo, I haven't had a chance to play with any X99 and 16GB sticks, I've got a couple in my Skylake

 

[KarmaTheLegend]

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Hi, This is ASUS Online Service Center, my name is Matthew G., how can I help you?1:56
hi there1:56
i have question abouth my motherboard1:56
Hello Johan. Currently our systems are undergoing an slight update to improve our customer care services, so at this current moment I am unable to generate a case number or check any RMA, however I would be more than happy to assist you.
1:56
Sure, I can answer a question1:57
?nr1 why is there 2x lan ? ?nr2 why is there 8 ram slots if u can only use 4 ?1:58
?nr 3 how can i get a new set if i lost: User's manual
Accessory Guide
ASUS Q-Shield
6 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
1 x ASUS 2-Way/3-Way SLI bridge
1 x Supporting DVD
1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)
1 x Assistant Fans(40mm)
1 x TUF Certification card(s)
1 x TUF 5 Year Warranty manual(s) (by region)
1 x TUF Inside sticker(s)(white)
1 x STAY COOL BE TUF sticker(s)(white)
1 x Accessory Package(s):
- 2 x PCIe x16 slot dust cover(s)
- 4 x DRAM slot dust cover(s)
- 1 x PCIe x1 slot dust cover(s)
- 1 x PCIe x4 slot dust cover(s)
- 3 x Thermistor cable(s)
- 1 x connector dust cover collection(onboard USB 3.1 Gen 1, LAN)
- 2 x On board USB 2.0 connector dust cover(s)
- 11 x back I/O USB 2.0 connector dust cover(s)
- 9 x On board SATA connector dust cover(s)
- 1 x SATA Express conector dust cover(s)
- 5 x Audio connector dust cover(s)1:58
You can use more than 4 sticks of RAM Johan1:59
ddr4 x 8 ?2:0
We do not sell accessories to end consumers so you would have to purchase it from a 3rd party reseller2:0
auch i lost my packet where this was inside it came with my motherboard2:1
so i have now 4x4 ddr4 ram in and i can put extra 4x4 4ddr in so totaly 8x4 ddr ram to get 32gb ram? i dont need to throw away my old and buy a 32gb set+2:4
and what can i do with 2x lan ports+2:4
u still there sir*?2:6
I am, my apologies2:6
One moment2:6
ok thx2:6
You can put in 4x4 more yes. The 2 lan ports can use 2 internet connections2:10
from 2 different routers or 2 different isp or to same router to get extra lan speed ?2:11
It can be either one.2:13
I haven't heard from you for a few minutes. Are you still with me?2:17
yes2:17
so if i put 2x lan cabels to my pc int the same router it will help internet speed and latency etc?2:18
It might. It would be best to use 2 different ISP2:18
i havent seen mb with 2 lan ports so i dont know the purpose?2:19
asus dont say that 2:19
ok 2:20
but where i bought my mb this came inside the box with the mb:User's manual
Accessory Guide
ASUS Q-Shield
6 x SATA 6Gb/s cable(s)
1 x ASUS 2-Way/3-Way SLI bridge
1 x Supporting DVD
1 x Q-connector(s) (2 in 1)
1 x Assistant Fans(40mm)
1 x TUF Certification card(s)
1 x TUF 5 Year Warranty manual(s) (by region)
1 x TUF Inside sticker(s)(white)
1 x STAY COOL BE TUF sticker(s)(white)
1 x Accessory Package(s):
- 2 x PCIe x16 slot dust cover(s)
- 4 x DRAM slot dust cover(s)
- 1 x PCIe x1 slot dust cover(s)
- 1 x PCIe x4 slot dust cover(s)
- 3 x Thermistor cable(s)
- 1 x connector dust cover collection(onboard USB 3.1 Gen 1, LAN)
- 2 x On board USB 2.0 connector dust cover(s)
- 11 x back I/O USB 2.0 connector dust cover(s)
- 9 x On board SATA connector dust cover(s)
- 1 x SATA Express conector dust cover(s)
- 5 x Audio connector dust cover(s), when i did move i loost it and where i bought it they say they dont have it and i must contact asus 2:21
We would not be able to resend those Accessories, sorry to say. You would have to buy each piece individually2:22
its not extra accessories it comes with the mb2:22
omg 2:22
thats alot of smal thing2:22
I know. i do apologize for the inconvenience. 2:23
where do i find a seller with that packet+2:23
Sorry, I would be unable to tell you that.2:24
yeah asus shoul have those packets 2:24
asus make em 2:24
and sell em2:24
I understand, but we do not sell these, sorry to say.2:25
ppl have trouble understand if this mb use 3200mhz ram or not is that for overclock? i dont want to overclock just use maximum normal ram 2:26
Maximum normal ram 2133mhz2:28
First check and see if the mobo has or will be getting support for 16GB DIMMs, most all XD99 came out as 64GB max and in an 8x8GB setup, the 16GB sticks weren't available2:29
a total of 64ram?2:30
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA2011/X99-A/X99_Series_DRAM_QVL0603.pdf2:30
this is good info for me and the tomsharware forum reach tousand of x99 users2:31
That is great to hear2:32
Were there any additional concerns I may address?2:32
if i use these 4x8 and ad 2x8 will it conflict+2:36
It will not2:36
but need to be same mhz right+2:37
That is correct!2:37
It was nice talking to you. Thank you for choosing ASUS. Have a great day.2:38
End of conversation 2:38
Thank you for your cooperation.