No advantage to Quad Channel RAM for LGA1151?

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GabeBB

GabeBB

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Jul 14, 2016
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Hi guys, I just want to make sure I understood what I've been googling lol. So, LGA1151 boards don't support quad channel memory. Does that mean it makes no difference at all for me to get dual channel kits versus quad channel kits?

Also, is it true that even if I get 2 identical kits they might not work together? I mean same brand, same model, same speed, same CAS? Because I was planning to get at most 16GB now (or even 8GB) and later on another 16GB.

Thanks for any input!
 
Solution
Mr Kagouris
No, Skylake does not support quad channel (because the RAM channels are always physically two separate ones). Even if it did, quad-channel mode would put too much stress on a Skylake chip's IMC (integrated memory controller). So any kit will run at dual-channel at most.

As for RAM compatibility, as I always say, yes, even with identical kits bought at the same time there is a chance they won't work together, but if that prevents you from buying them then you might as well never go outside again because you have a higher risk of getting hit by a bus every day than you do getting two identical kits that don't work together. This has actually happened, but it's rare to the point where the risk should not be considered.
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first up, don't worry about quad channel it's not that impressive and won't really yield a great increase in performance. Dual channel is fine.

second part is not so true, if you buy two identical kits they SHOULD work perfectly together. I've even mis matched brands and still had a perfectly functioning system, and the RAM is running at all speeds.

it's exactly what I did several years ago, I bought 2x 4GB sticks, then a couple years later I bought the same RAM, even though they were about 4 years apart in production date they worked perfectly together, and now I'm sitting on 16GB of RAM.

I think alot of people will over exaggerate how sensitive RAM is.

 
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No, Skylake does not support quad channel (because the RAM channels are always physically two separate ones). Even if it did, quad-channel mode would put too much stress on a Skylake chip's IMC (integrated memory controller). So any kit will run at dual-channel at most.

As for RAM compatibility, as I always say, yes, even with identical kits bought at the same time there is a chance they won't work together, but if that prevents you from buying them then you might as well never go outside again because you have a higher risk of getting hit by a bus every day than you do getting two identical kits that don't work together. This has actually happened, but it's rare to the point where the risk should not be considered.
 
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Solution
Thank you guys so much, I'm relieved I'll be able to buy 1 or 2 sticks at a time. I was getting worried with all the horror stories I'd read haha. I guess in the weird case my kits don't work together I'll just exchange them. I really didn't want to buy 4 sticks at once 'cause it can be so expensive :/

PS: Any thoughts on the gigabyte gaming 5 vs the asrock extreme 6? saw these 2 on sale and am considering getting one. which one would u pick?
 
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I have a i7 3820 and I had duel channel ram for awhile and I thought "I should take advantage for quad channel" so I went from 2x8GB to 4x8GB. It made little to no difference to the games I play. if you're buying new ram I recommend to buy the same kit, but if you have a different ram module then the others don't worry about it too much. Also, don't worry about only having duel channel, most things you will do with your pc aren't going to be affected by only using duel channel mode. One more thing if you add four ram sticks it will still run at Duel channel.

*Note I got this processor on a pretty good deal from my friend before you say "why do you have sandy-bridge-E" for gaming.
 
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Hey Kd0g76, I was thinking the same thing when I was browsing memory kits, "why not get the quad channel" but then I realized my chip wouldn't even support it apparently haha. That's great to know that even different brands could work together, though I will try to keep it in the same brand if at all possible :)

Warhead0, yeah I heard Gigabyte is a little more reputable than Asrock, that makes me lean toward it some too :)
 
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i run gigabytes no issue they are a good brand asrock is made same factory as asus asrock is as good not as many features where gigabyte offers good features is why i go for gigabyte & there new gen motherboards been awesome over the years why i use them ram is weird no diffrenece in the kits buy a kit to suit ur board works best
 
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Oh I didn't the Asrock and Asus made their products at the same factory, at first I thought they might be connected because the names sound a bit similar but then heard some people saying they liked one and not the other. I did read some good commentary on the Extreme 6. I think it was reviewed on this site actually. Then there was this article comparing it to the Gaming 5, Gaming M5 and Ranger.

https://uk.hardware.info/reviews/6390/4-mid-range-z170-motherboards-review

I'm waiting a bit longer to buy the board so I guess by the time I get it I might change my mind again, but I don't think I'll go wrong with either of these. They seem pretty good. I'll probably end up basing my decision on price haha
 
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Oh I know about Z170 being the chipset. I meant that they both start with As... Asus and Asrock, but I figured that was just coincidence. It made me wonder whether they were related companies though :)
 
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Hi Tradesman1 :) I guess the similar names make sense then, I was wondering if it was a case like this, were they had a common origin or one separated from the other. If they're both good companies then I will probably end up choosing based on price, get whichever is cheaper.

Oh man, I guess I'll have to take the risk with the RAM because I'm not buying over 16GB, way to expensive :/ I heard it's not even necessarily for most current games, so when the time comes if I need more RAM I'll look for the same model, frequency, etc and hope that it works, haha.

I'm also hoping to not pay for Windows because my mom has a retail license in her laptop and said she wouldn't mind uninstalling it and using Ubuntu. I don't much care for Windows either, just getting it on the new computer for the games. Hopefully it will work out :)
 
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Yeah, I think 16GB will suffice for now. Since we're at it, would you guys pick an Extreme 6 or the Gigabyte if they were both the same price?

MrKagouris, that's pretty cool I didn't know about Chromium, will check it out :)
 
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Yeah I just recently read about the OC, will have to consider that :) I pretty much narrowed down to these two after seeing them both refurbished for around $100. Figured I'd rather get a refurbished board with more features than a simpler one as maybe my kids will want to use them in the future.

 
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