@HANOVER
Let me explain to you the situation with populating your motherboard's RAM slots.
Since these guys apparently have not been able to give you a PROPER explanation...
This is a matter of memory DENSITY. It is always best to use the least number of memory sticks as possible. The reason for that is because the more actual, physical sticks of memory you install on the board, the more you stress the memory controller. Each stick of memory requires it's own supply of voltage.
For example: Most DDR3 memory sticks use anywhere between 1.5v to 1.65v of voltage from the memory controller. The memory controller only has so much to give...
Not to say that the memory controller won't handle the number of sticks that you use. But the problem is that the more voltage you're using, the more potential there is for the memory controller to become unstable. The memory controller will also generate more heat.
These issues become most evident if you're overclocking. Especially when increasing the frequency of the memory...which requires more voltage to the memory.
So what they said was that it slows it down. NO. It does NOT slow it down. The memory will not be slowed down because you're using more memory sticks. The memory will always run at it's rated speed.
So you solve this problem...by using LESS sticks of memory at larger capacities. This is just good practice when building a system.
For example:
Let's say you're using the ASUS Sabertooth x58. (Which is the same board I am building with.)
Say you want to have 12GB of memory. (Why? No point, really.)
Instead of using 6 sticks of 2GB, you want to use 3 higher density sticks of 4GB.
By the way... Something I have recently learned... You do NOT have to use triple channel. You may use only two slots in dual-channel mode if you like.
So... I myself have finally chosen to go with a 6GB triple-channel kit with lower latencies running at 7-8-7-20. I see no reason to have more than 6GB at this time. I can not see any real justification for using 12GB unless you're doing heavy video editing or 3D rendering. (Even then, I question 12GB... Which is more practical in high-traffic servers if you ask me.)
Also... You've probably found yourself wrapped up in trying to decide on a higher speed memory... Possibly you've been thinking about going with higher-speed memory for the sake of being able to tighten the memory latency.
DO NOT pound your head into the ground like I did. The QVL (compatibility) lists are USELESS as they don't test very much of the product available out there anyway...and they don't get updated very often. The RAM should work JUST FINE with the board. Average latency now for DDR3 memory is 9-9-9-24 at 1600MHz. The Sabertooth x58 can handle latency and speeds well enough that you should not worry about this. The board has a button that you can press to set the memory to compatible parameters should you need to run in a failsafe mode anyway.
Another thing to keep in mind... The actual rated bus speed of the i7-series processor for the DDR3 memory is 1066MHz. Any frequency of memory above that is considered an overclock. The median now seems to be 1600MHz...which is already overclocked. Much more than that is really considered a waste. Even by the majority of enthusiasts out there.
That is to say; the i7-980X is a HUGE waste of money. That is unless you're looking for bragging rights and are willing to pay the ridiculous amount of cash Intel is asking for it. Consider the i7-950 instead. Compare their stats... I used this site for reference regarding your processor.
You can see that what I'm saying is true:
http://ark.intel.com/Compare.aspx?ids=37150,47932
Now assuming you're paying attention and looking at the stats, you can see that the i7-980x does have certain advantages over the i7-950. Rated QPI speed is higher. The cache is a little bigger.
Fine. But most of the advantages are made useless by the fact that there isn't much software out there yet that can utilize all of those advantages. Not unless you're focusing on software that uses multiple cores anyway.
Anyway... Back to memory.
The kit I'm going with is 7-8-7-20 at 1600MHz using 1.65v per stick. This should do just fine. For gaming or otherwise. (I have no interest in overclocking.)
Here is the kit I have decided on:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145289
Other good kits that I had been considering:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231352
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231304
If you're insistent on 12GB (which seems to force you to sacrified a little latency UNLESS you spend much higher on the dollar):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231358
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233146
OR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145321
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Well... Hope this helps you make an efficient decision. This information is a compilation of the information that I've gathered for the last 3-4 weeks of research now. (Building a new system with the ASUS Sabertooth x58 board myself. I'm a veteran builder...but haven't been able to build for 7 years now. Life has not permitted me the resources to... So I'm catching up on newer tech.)
Let me know what you come up with.