Memory Upgrade 3x4 or 2x8

[mike the biochemist]

Hi guys,

I've been searching around, and I've found info on 2x8 vs 4x4, but what would you recommend for an older board that has the triple channel option? There don't seem to be many triple channel kits available, so they both seem to be around the same price... Am I better to go with the larger capacity, or to populate all three channels? Also, I assume that 1333 vs 1600 won't make a difference if I'm not pushing the machine very hard, right? I'm upgrading from 3 Gb.

Thanks!

 

[scout_03]

if your system was made for triple channel stay with it , what is your motherboard name and model and the memory you already have ?

 

[geofelt]

You want documented ram compatibility. If you should ever have a problem, you want supported ram.
Otherwise, you risk a finger pointing battle between the ram and motherboard support sites, claiming "not my problem".
One place to check is your motherboards web site.
Look for the ram QVL list. It lists all of the ram kits that have been tested with that particular motherboard.
Sometimes the QVL list is not updated after the motherboard is released.
For more current info, go to a ram vendor's web site and access their ram selection configurator.
Enter your motherboard, and you will get a list of compatible ram kits.
While today's motherboards are more tolerant of different ram, it makes sense to buy ram that is known to work and is supported.

If supported, I would always go with 2 x 8gb vs. 4 x 4gb.
It is easier for a motherboard to manage two sticks vs. 4.

If deciding between 12gb or 16gb in a triple channel motherboard, I would go with 16gb
If you use 4 4gb sticks, the first three will run in triple channel mode ant the odd stick will operate in single channel mode.

If your cpu is intel, ram speed does not make much difference. With amd, it is more important.
Read this: http://www.anandtech.com/show/4503/sandy-bridge-memory-scaling-choosing-the-best-ddr3