What is best when considering RAM, 2 sticks to make up 8 or 16GBs, or 4x4?

[MrCanEHdian]

I keep finding different answers and reasons for those answers around the internet, so I'm wondering, if I want to make 8Gbs of RAM, should I buy one stick of 8Gbs, or 2x4Gbs?

If I want 16Gbs, should I do 4x4Gbs or 2x8 GBs or one 16Gb stick (if that exists)?

Is there even a need for 16Gbs when gaming, and if not now, in the near future could more than 8GBs be necessary?

Thank you!

 

[damric]

Generally two sticks of larger density (unless your CPU has a quad channel memory controller). That way you can add more later if needed. Two sticks is also easier on the memory controller in general.

Occasionally I will buy a high end 4 piece kit, and "bin" the best two modules.

 

[Tradesman1]

Generally two sticks of larger density (unless your CPU has a quad channel memory controller). That way you can add more later if needed. Two sticks is also easier on the memory controller in general.

Occasionally I will buy a high end 4 piece kit, and "bin" the best two modules.

____________________

+1

With a dual channel mobo 2x4GB for 8, or 2x8GB for 16GB = less stress on the MC (memory controller + the advantage of running dual channel which can provide up to a 10-15% performance boost, when in dual channel the MC see thae DRAM as a single 128 bit device where as in single channel it sees it for what it is - a 64 bit device

 

[MrCanEHdian]

Generally two sticks of larger density (unless your CPU has a quad channel memory controller). That way you can add more later if needed. Two sticks is also easier on the memory controller in general.

Occasionally I will buy a high end 4 piece kit, and "bin" the best two modules.

I'm really liking both of these answers, thank you! Some places online said basically what both of you said, but occassionally someone would counter with 4 sticks causing less stress on the system. 2 sticks does seem like a good idea, as it leaves room for expansion later on.

Are 16GBs too much for gaming? Or, are they worth it right now?

 

[damric]

DDR3 is not going to get cheaper.

 

[Tradesman1]

On the 4 sticks, think about it - would you rather carry two things or 4, walk 4 dogs or 2, try and handle 2 machines at once or 4 - it's easier for the MC to deal with two sticks than it is 4 - less stress on MC.... We been going through a progression for years, not long ago, it was "2GB is all you'll ever need', then it was 4GB, now it's 8GB...." gaming and enthusiast rigs are generally noted for being a step up and over prebuilts, but go look at prebuilts today, the majority are 6-8 GB rigs and there are more and more 16GB rigs out there, so while 8GB is sufficient, I think 16GB is a better sweetspot, especially since DDR3 continues to rise in price and prob will and you more than likely want the computer to last at least a few years

 

[MrCanEHdian]

On the 4 sticks, think about it - would you rather carry two things or 4, walk 4 dogs or 2, try and handle 2 machines at once or 4 - it's easier for the MC to deal with two sticks than it is 4 - less stress on MC.... We been going through a progression for years, not long ago, it was "2GB is all you'll ever need', then it was 4GB, now it's 8GB...." gaming and enthusiast rigs are generally noted for being a step up and over prebuilts, but go look at prebuilts today, the majority are 6-8 GB rigs and there are more and more 16GB rigs out there, so while 8GB is sufficient, I think 16GB is a better sweetspot, especially since DDR3 continues to rise in price and prob will and you more than likely want the computer to last at least a few years

That does make a lot of sense haha. Also, I considered prebuilts but they all seem to have cheap, low end motherboards, while making everything else look great, like high end CPUs and GPUs. Very good point, 16GBs might be a good call then haha.

 

[Tradesman1]

And prebuilts in general have a locked BIOS, cheap PSU, cheap DRAM, etc

 

[MrCanEHdian]

And prebuilts in general have a locked BIOS, cheap PSU, cheap DRAM, etc

Ahhh......... Good to know, thanks! I will be staying away from them then, for sure.

 

[Tradesman1]

Keep us updated

 

[MrCanEHdian]

Keep us updated

On what I decide to purchase/build?

 

[Tradesman1]

Yep

 

[MrCanEHdian]

Will do