can I run just 1-8GB of memory instead of 2-4GB in a gamming computer?

[bwilldoit2]

Memory question for gamming computer.

 

[daswilhelm]

you can. but you'll get better performance out of 2 4g chips.

 

[Spectre694]

Yes it will work just fine. it will be slightly slower but unless you have an APU it you are only talking a few FPS. Rendering and encoding are a different story.

 

[Junit151]

Running 1-8 gives you a negligible performance dip, plus, then you can upgrade to 2-8 later if you want more, (I know I personally actually use 11 out of my 12 gigs fairly often)

 

[Outlander_04]

there are no good reasons to run 1 x8 instead of 2 x4

but sure it works

 

[jay2tall]

You will see a slight performance dip. You can always throw in another matching stick later.

I see a lot of Newegg deals that come with a single 8GB stick free or part of a combo. So if that is the case, that could make a deal good. I've see people just toss in a 2nd stick.

 

[Guest]

Depends on the motherboard. Most motherboards nowadays run on either dual or triple channels. Unless the motherboard specifically mentioned single channel on its specs then you might need to have 2 or more RAM modules to be able to run it.

 

[Spectre694]

Depends on the motherboard. Most motherboards nowadays run on either dual or triple channels. Unless the motherboard specifically mentioned single channel on its specs then you might need to have 2 or more RAM modules to be able to run it.

Dual, Triple, and quad channels will all run with less sticks than 2,3, and 4 respectively. They just preform optimally with the correct number.

 

[Junit151]

Depends on the motherboard. Most motherboards nowadays run on either dual or triple channels. Unless the motherboard specifically mentioned single channel on its specs then you might need to have 2 or more RAM modules to be able to run it.

Not true, sorry. One stick will run in any mainstream system. In fact, they tell you to run single-dimm to troubleshoot RAM/mobo issues, so obviously it works.

 

[Guest]

Unless performance doesn't matters & you'll building a ghetto rig then go ahead buy a bigger single RAM module. You need at least a pair of RAM modules for a dual channel motherboard. Getting a single but bigger RAM module than a pair smaller RAM modules is not a good idea.

 

[Spectre694]

Unless performance doesn't matters & you'll building a ghetto rig then go ahead buy a bigger single RAM module. You need at least a pair of RAM modules for a dual channel motherboard. Getting a single but bigger RAM module than a pair smaller RAM modules is not a good idea.

http://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1147-msi-hands-on-california Check this out it is very brief but points out for gaming there is not much of a difference.

 

[Outlander_04]

Unless performance doesn't matters & you'll building a ghetto rig then go ahead buy a bigger single RAM module. You need at least a pair of RAM modules for a dual channel motherboard. Getting a single but bigger RAM module than a pair smaller RAM modules is not a good idea.

http://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1147-msi-hands-on-california Check this out it is very brief but points out for gaming there is not much of a difference.

Not all games will behave like that . Some seem to work better with higher memory bandwidth .

 

[Spectre694]

Unless performance doesn't matters & you'll building a ghetto rig then go ahead buy a bigger single RAM module. You need at least a pair of RAM modules for a dual channel motherboard. Getting a single but bigger RAM module than a pair smaller RAM modules is not a good idea.

http://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1147-msi-hands-on-california Check this out it is very brief but points out for gaming there is not much of a difference.

Not all games will behave like that . Some seem to work better with higher memory bandwidth .

Fair point. I'll agree that a single stick is not ideal but still workable if necessary.

@ OP why are you planning on running one stick instead of two?