Memory configuration

[popjob5]

Can someone please suggest which ram configuration is better? Why?

I have some ram laying around and was wondering if i can just max out the ram. 

 

The cpu is i7-950

 

All the 2gb are same. 1066mhz

8gb are 1600mhz

 

8gb + 8gb and 2gb + 2gb running dual channel (total 20gb)

OR

2gb + 2gb + 2gb and 2gb + 2gb + 2gb running triple channel (total 12gb)

OR

8gb + 8gb + 2gb and 2gb + 2gb + 2gb running triple channel (total 24gb)

 

Thank you 

 

Edit:

Thank you guys. Base on your replies I was able to refine my question and found this link https://lifehacker.com/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-compatibility-when-upgradi-5598716

 

All that matters is that the ram has compatible CAS latency, timings, and  voltage. In this case the only thing that would be sacrificed is the speed will run at the slowest DIMM. 

 

Pretty much same thing you guys were saying.

[Jurrunio]

what CPU?

[Paroxy]

How do you define "better"?  Else, option C is better because it has more RAM.

[popjob5]

4 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

what CPU?

i7-950

[RollinLower]

what CPU, and what RAM? are they rated for the same speeds?

[popjob5]

5 minutes ago, Paroxy said:

How do you define "better"?  Else, option C is better because it has more RAM.

Im just not sure of the effect. Is the total amout of ram the main thing to consider in this case?

[Jurrunio]

2 minutes ago, popjob5 said:

i7-950

Then 6x2GB is the best option, as 8GB sticks dont work without REG until Sandy Bridge (LGA 1155 and LGA2011), the latter is the replacement of X58.

 

maybe try look for 4GB sticks? Make sure those are dual rank sticks though (i.e. memory dies on both sides of each stick)

[Jurrunio]

3 minutes ago, popjob5 said:

Im just not sure of the effect. Is the total amout of ram the main thing to consider in this case?

Compatibility, capacity, then speed. Speed is last because X58 itself is old and wont be that fast regardless of memory config you use on it

[Paroxy]

1 minute ago, popjob5 said:

Im just not sure of the effect. Is the total amout of ram the main thing to consider in this case?

Not sure, what is your use case?

 

What are the speeds and timing on those RAM modules?

[popjob5]

14 minutes ago, RollinLower said:

what CPU, and what RAM? are they rated for the same speeds?

Cpu i7-950

2gb are 1066mhz

8gb are 1600mhz

[popjob5]

59 minutes ago, Paroxy said:

Not sure, what is your use case?

 

What are the speeds and timing on those RAM modules?

My use case is just to see is it worth to just max out the old system with ram since i have it. The speeds are 8gb are 1600mhz and 2gb are 1066mhz. Timings are 2gb are 9-9-9-24 and 8gb are 11-11-11-28 (if im not mistaken). Voltages are: for 2gb its 1.5 and for 8gb (its dual 1.35 and 1.5)

[mariushm]

If you mix the sticks, ALL will run at 1066 Mhz.

16 GB will be enough for most applications and games, and in most cases you will not notice any improvement with more than 16 GB.

However, you may experience some performance decrease with 1066 Mhz.

 

In theory, having triple channel functional would give more performance but in practice the improvements over dual channel are minimal ... so I'd probably leave it at  2 x 8 GB if it works.