Can i run this system with one ram stick of 16 GB ?

[OGSnow]

CPU = i7-6950X
Mobo = X99 Deluxe II
GPU = RTX 2080
OS = Win7

I was planning on getting one stick of x16 cuz it's best for me financially but i read on the web that one stick wouldn't cut it in this case and i would need 4 sticks (4x4). Is that true? Also read that this cpu would need at least 32gb to work well, that true too?

Do i HAVE to get 4 sticks for the system to run? Is it a performance thing or "it won't even boot" thing? Cuz if need 4 sticks to run or 4 sticks will improve my gaming performance, then i'll do it.

Gaming is the very main purpose of this system.
Would just like some clarification.

 

[ikaz]

It's a pure performance however if your building a PC now why are you going with with i7 -6XXX ?

 

[OGSnow]

It's a pure performance however if your building a PC now why are you going with with i7 -6XXX ?

Cuz i'm not willing to go to windows 10 and based on my searches this cpu is the best of 6th gen which doesn't require win10. Otherwise this cpu wouldn't be my choice cuz it's hella expensive.

So, performance-wise, a 4 stick approach would be best yet not mandatory, right?

And this thing i read about this particular cpu needing at LEAST 32gb of ram to work well is bull? It looks like it to me but i want to make sure before i buy anything.

Mod Edit for Language

 

[Wolfshadw]

The motherboard will support a single 16GB RAM module (Motherboard Manual - Pg. 1-6), though quad-channel would be beneficial.

-Wolf sends

 

[izoli]

Is there a specific reason you wont switch to win10?

 

[OGSnow]

@izoli

yes, the forced updates. i honestly can't live with the fear of an update breaking my pc. i escaped such a situation once thanks to a good friend's warning that an update was messing up win7 asus mobo rigs and making it unbootable. i immediately disabled updates and frankly? it scared the living hell out of me. may be silly to some but i'm a bit paranoid and i prefer peace of mind over, idk, dx12 or any other improvement win10 offers.

@Wolfshadw

So, a 4x4 would be best, then? Cuz i'm assuming the cpu would have a lesser performance with anything fewer than quad channels, am i correct?

Also, is 16 enough? Cuz i did read that this cpu in specific would need at least 32 to work well...

 

[Mark_166]

You can disable automatic updates in Windows 10 Pro using group policy. It's pretty easy, too. Just make sure you upgrade to Pro and not Home. Home doesn't let you use group policy.

Then you'll be able to choose any CPU and platform you want and reap the benifits of DX12 which more games are starting to use. Also Ray Tracing will only be available on Windows 10 as well.

To answer your original question, yes you can boot with one 16GB stick, but you are crippling your performance quite a bit because then you are only sending data to the CPU in a single channel rather than 4 channels. Think of it like a highway with only one lane open and the other 3 are under construction.

 

[Wolfshadw]

For that processor, the ideal RAM config would probably by 4x16GB. Do you need that much RAM? I doubt it. Unless you're running some application that actually stresses all 10 cores/20 threads of that processor, it's unlikely that you'll need more than 16 GB or be hampered by less than 32GB.

-Wolf sends

 

[OGSnow]

@Wolfshadw

I don't do any video editing, rendering or any of those ram demanding tasks. The system's main purpose is gaming (myself only, i don't stream). But i do play very demanding games. But i read that even those usually eat up about 8 GB. So, i should be fine with 4x4 (16), right? Also, when you say the "ideal" ram config i think of the cpu performing lesser in general for not having enough ram.

@Mark_166

Interesting. Is that a guaranteed thing? Like no chance somehow, magically, an update's gonna squeeze in unannounced? Cuz i've read about people that supposedly had updates disabled and the next day their windows were in a different version.

 

[ikaz]

So another question I know you have a valid fear about moving to Windows 10 but this is gaming PC if say one there is some random update forces you have re-image windows 10 other than the annoyance of reloading what else is lost ? Doing a base install of Windows 10 on an SSD nowadays takes maybe 30min or so then probably figure in another 1hr to update drivers. Sure then it may take a few days to re-install games and get the system configure to the way you want it/had it. I can't see that happening to one person more than once year if that, even then there are many people on the forum to re-install windows yearly just to get the "best" performance out of it.

I'm just saying if your going to be spending the money I personally believe it worth it to move to Windows 10 now over Windows 7 for gaming, invest in a good backup solution/procedure and enjoy gaming into the future.

 

[izoli]

Here is what I am more confused about, sure there is an infantesimal chance that an update could cause some issue that requires a clean OS install, most everyone will go their entire experience without any issues on an update let alone something so serious as to cause permanent damage or require a clean install. Also is there not a higher chance of newer software having compatibility issues with such an old OS that is nearing the end of even it's extended support lifetime?

That on top of how much better 10 manages memory than 7 and supporting dx12. I am not convinced that a windows 10 update is any more dangerous than running a new program on windows 7, I would consider it less dangerous.

 

[Wolfshadw]

I don't do any video editing, rendering or any of those ram demanding tasks. The system's main purpose is gaming (myself only, i don't stream). But i do play very demanding games. But i read that even those usually eat up about 8 GB. So, i should be fine with 4x4 (16), right? Also, when you say the "ideal" ram config i think of the cpu performing lesser in general for not having enough ram.

Yes. For a gaming system, the sweet spot these days is 16GB of RAM. How you configure it is up to you, but personally, I'd opt for 2x8GB. 4x4GB is fine as well. For what that processor was intended for (certainly not gaming) the ideal config would be 4x16GB.

-Wolf sends

 

[Peter Martin]

Two sticks for best performance. I’ve had several motherboards now that didn’t like all four slots taken up.

 

[OGSnow]

@Wolfshadw

Thanks man!

@Peter Martin

x99 deluxe II have 8 slots but what do you mean it "didn't like" ? Not planning on putting 8 sticks on it but for just so i know

 

[Peter Martin]

They had problems when all slots were filled. One had to reboot twice before it would boot and run