Does adding more RAM increase the strain on your memory controller?

[Fixadent]

Does adding more RAM increase the strain on your memory controller?

I'd like 16GB (4x4GB modules) of G.Skill Trident-Z RGB memory for my new build, would having four memory modules instead of a 2x8 kit of two put more load onto the integrated memory controller of my CPU?

 

[nzalog]

In what sense? To what end? Are you overclocking?

I'm just thinking this is kind of irrelevant and would not worry and just use your computer as it's designed to be used. Even if you "strain" the memory controller it will probably outlive it's usefulness and you'll upgrade way before it fails.

 

[InvalidError]

Each extra rank of RAM chips on the data and address bus add parasitic capacitance on the bus and driving that capacitance does increase the source/sink current that the memory controller and DRAM chips are seeing so yes, the more chips you have on the memory bus, the higher the 'strain' on the memory controller.

That said, the memory controller should be able to handle four double-sided ('dual rank) DIMMs fine, albeit possibly at the expense of lower achievable memory clocks.