Alder Lake DDR4 2 DIMMs vs 4

[ProxyDroneRush]

Hi, I'm trying to figure out if I would be better off with a DDR4 4x8 or 2x16 ram configuration for a 12900k. Ofc I'd rather go with DDR5 but it's absolutely impossible to get as far as I can tell, so I'm looking at DDR4 4000mhz CAS 18 instead. Is there any significant difference in running 2 dimms per channel vs 1 on Alder Lake? I've seen tests where it seems to make a big difference on older platforms but with how confusing the change in how memory channels are handled with ddr5 has made all this I'd like some advice.

[Helpful Tech Witch]

it may make a difference or maybe not.

If you have 4 single rank sticks ve 2 single rank, itll make a difference

if you have 2 dual rank vs 4 single rank then it should be the same

[motomat86]

im running 2x16 4000mhz cl18 from gskill for my 12700k.   its dual channel ram and runs fine, plus price is really cheap now too.  

[RONOTHAN##]

It depends on the exact motherboard and RAM kit you are trying to use. The reason why 4 sticks can perform better is you are effectively creating dual rank memory if you're using single rank sticks. 16GB sticks are about 50/50 whether they'll be single rank or dual rank. 

 

If you can get 2x16GB dual rank, that would be the best. Depending on how your motherboard is setup, running 4 sticks can put excess stress on your memory controller and you'll have a harder time trying to run those speeds.

[ProxyDroneRush]

14 minutes ago, motomat86 said:

im running 2x16 4000mhz cl18 from gskill for my 12700k.   its dual channel ram and runs fine, plus price is really cheap now too.  

I'm considering this ram kit https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820374106?Item=N82E16820374106

If this is the one you have by any chance could you tell me if it's single or dual rank? I can't find anywhere where it's specified. Thanks!

[RONOTHAN##]

6 minutes ago, ProxyDroneRush said:

I'm considering this ram kit https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820374106?Item=N82E16820374106

If this is the one you have by any chance could you tell me if it's single or dual rank? I can't find anywhere where it's specified. Thanks!

According to reviews on Amazon for the same kit, it's about 50/50 whether you receive a single rank or dual rank kit. 

[Weezy]

5 hours ago, ProxyDroneRush said:

I'm considering this ram kit https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820374106?Item=N82E16820374106

If this is the one you have by any chance could you tell me if it's single or dual rank? I can't find anywhere where it's specified. Thanks!

According to one of the reviews, he stated that it is not dual rank and the manufacturer reply did not suggest he was wrong. Hope that helps