[SOLVED] Dual Channel vs Quad Channel

[Abrekiz]

Dear Tom's Hardware experts,

I'm putting together a system and have been out of the game for a long time... I want to make sure I buy the right thing so I don't have problems later. The question is this; I'm getting an EVGA X299 FTW K motherboard. The specs say that is can handle 256GB in Quad Channel and 128GB in Dual Channel. My plan is to purchase 128GB and later down the road, have the ability to add another 128GB. So can I buy something that says Dual Channel and use that today and tomorrow? Or do I have to find 4 sticks of 32GB Quad Channel to be able to expand it later?

MOBO - https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=142-sx-e297-kr -- There's a special on it now btw!


Further more, I'm looking to get it from a list on ebay, which states it's Quad Channel. However, what seems to be the same on Amazon, says it's only Dual Channel. And finally, the G.Skill website says it's Dual/Quad Channel.. What information am I missing here....

EBAY - https://www.ebay.com/itm/G-SKILL-Ri...rentrq:a8f1dcfd1750a9c94ed0d531ffe7b606|iid:1 --

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/G-Skill-PC4-25600-3200MHz-Ripjaws-Channel/dp/B083TB9VV2

G.Skill Website - https://www.gskill.com/specification/165/184/1571734065/F4-3200C16Q-128GVK-Specification

Thanks in advance!

 

[USAFRet]

128 - 256GB RAM.
What will this system be used for?

Buying some now and buying some in the future is a gamble. It might work together, it might not.

 

[Abrekiz]

Work/Productivity

I know, I'm thinking I'll buy some additional in maybe 6 months of less, so I'm confident I'll be able to find the same type/brand when I'm ready.

 

[USAFRet]

Work/Productivity

I know, I'm thinking I'll buy some additional in maybe 6 months of less, so I'm confident I'll be able to find the same type/brand when I'm ready.

"Work/Productivity" does not really indicate 128GB RAM. Not even close.

And even buying the same type/brand has a (small) possibility of not working.

 

[ClapTrapper]

"Dual Channel" and "Quad Channel" don't mean anything!
It is a marketing term (and a bit deceptive). When you see these terms on memory kits,it means there are 2 sticks or four sticks of memory.

Your MOTHERBOARD determines whether it is dual channel or quad channel.

 

[Abrekiz]

"Dual Channel" and "Quad Channel" don't mean anything!
It is a marketing term (and a bit deceptive). When you see these terms on memory kits,it means there are 2 sticks or four sticks of memory.

Your MOTHERBOARD determines whether it is dual channel or quad channel.

Yup, That's what's confusing me. The mobo says that it can do max 256 on quad, but only 128 on double. So I guess that means that I can have either 4 x 64GB or 8x32GB max as per the mobo? Sound about right?

 

[USAFRet]

Yup, That's what's confusing me. The mobo says that it can do max 256 on quad, but only 128 on double. So I guess that means that I can have either 4 x 64GB or 8x32GB max as per the mobo? Sound about right?

https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=142-sx-e297-kr

No.
32GB max, per RAM stick.
4x32 or 8x32

Dual or Quad relates to which slots they are in.
Fill al 8, quad.
Fill only the relevant 4, Dual.


(and 128GB for standard work tasks is way overkill)

 

[MeanMachine41]

I'm putting together a system and have been out of the game for a long time... I want to make sure I buy the right thing so I don't have problems later. The question is this; I'm getting an EVGA X299 FTW K motherboard. The specs say that is can handle 256GB in Quad Channel and 128GB in Dual Channel. My plan is to purchase 128GB and later down the road, have the ability to add another 128GB. So can I buy something that says Dual Channel and use that today and tomorrow? Or do I have to find 4 sticks of 32GB Quad Channel to be able to expand it later?

MOBO - https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=142-sx-e297-kr -- There's a special on it now btw!


Further more, I'm looking to get it from a list on ebay, which states it's Quad Channel. However, what seems to be the same on Amazon, says it's only Dual Channel. And finally, the G.Skill website says it's Dual/Quad Channel.. What information am I missing here....

EBAY - https://www.ebay.com/itm/G-SKILL-Ripjaws-V-Series-128GB-4-x-32GB-288-Pin-DDR4-SDRAM-DDR4-3200-PC4-2560/264893616517?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=751c951d452041c694601323279e0d0e&pid=100675&rk=1&rkt=15&mehot=none&sd=264893616517&itm=264893616517&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2380057&brand=G.+SKILL&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci:7b518b08-21e9-11eb-81ce-2e59798c2d71|parentrq:a8f1dcfd1750a9c94ed0d531ffe7b606|iid:1 --

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/G-Skill-PC4-25600-3200MHz-Ripjaws-Channel/dp/B083TB9VV2

G.Skill Website - https://www.gskill.com/specification/165/184/1571734065/F4-3200C16Q-128GVK-Specification

Thanks in advance!

It's a Quad channel board alright but your NOT understanding what it means.

There is very little to gain performance wise with quad channel and few apps that make use of it.
Not only that but it's dependant on the IMC (Integrated Memory controller) on the chip as to what memory frequency and size the IMC can handle.

List the CPU you are using?

For quad channel to work you will have to fill the appropriate bank of four DIMM slots and two slots filled will get you dual channel.

Work and productivity does not require such GB as you propose and an unnecessary expense.
You really only need 16GB (2x8) initially and when you decide to expand, do not mix kits but get a kit the size that you need and keep what you had as spares.

That MB is very well priced btw so grab it.

 

[kanewolf]

There is very little to gain performance wise with quad channel and few apps that make use of it.

"applications" don't know how many memory channels a host has. Only the CPU knows that.
Applications usually benefit from additional RAM to CPU bandwidth. That is what quad channel provides.
I would not recommend buying an expensive X299 motherboard and compatible CPU without buying an appropriate quad DIMM memory kit.

 

[geofelt]

What is the processor you intend to use?
This link suggests a max of 256gb quad channel with skylake-X processors, and 128gb in dual channel for kaby lake processors.
https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=142-sx-e297-kr

 

[MeanMachine41]

"applications" don't know how many memory channels a host has. Only the CPU knows that.
Applications usually benefit from additional RAM to CPU bandwidth. That is what quad channel provides.
I would not recommend buying an expensive X299 motherboard and compatible CPU without buying an appropriate quad DIMM memory kit.

Thanks for the quote Kanewolf however I never mentioned whether an app knew if it was running in quad or not?

Benchmarks indicate about the only benefit is memory bandwidth and capacity.I have yet to see an increase in performance benchmark that benefits from the increase of bandwidth. Do you have one?

PC world wrote an article about it: https://www.pcworld.com/article/298...e-shocking-truth-about-their-performance.html Take a look and please comment.

 

[kanewolf]

Thanks for the quote Kanewolf however I never mentioned whether an app knew if it was running in quad or not?

Benchmarks indicate about the only benefit is memory bandwidth and capacity.I have yet to see an increase in performance benchmark that benefits from the increase of bandwidth. Do you have one?

PC world wrote an article about it: https://www.pcworld.com/article/298...e-shocking-truth-about-their-performance.html Take a look and please comment.

No, but you said few apps make use of it. ALL apps make use of it. How much benefit is dependent on the software.
That article is 5 years old. With higher performance CPUs it would be interesting to see that comparison done again.
IMO, if you aren't going to use the CPU as the manufacturer designed it, don't buy it. If your use-cases aren't memory bandwidth limited buy a standard desktop CPU and motherboard. The OP had chosen an X299 motherboard. That may not be optimum for their use-case. That is still TBD.