Mixing Ram Sizes

[Chrislw324]

MOBO: ASRock Z270 Killer SLI/ac LGA 1151

RAM: Corsair Vengence 2400    2 8GB sticks

 

I currently have 16 GB of ram and I want to put more in for creating a Hyper-V lab environment. 

I can buy another 2x8 kit for 32GB total or spend less than $15 more for 2x16 kit and have 48GB total.

I know that mixes ram sizes might cause issues like the ram only running in single channel mode. (i don't know too much about that though)

 

Which is better, 32 in dual channel or 48 in single channel?

 

[igormp]

6 minutes ago, Chrislw324 said:

I can buy another 2x8 kit for 32GB total or spend less than $15 more for 2x16 kit and have 48GB total.

Yep, you can do any of those

6 minutes ago, Chrislw324 said:

I know that mixes ram sizes might cause issues like the ram only running in single channel mode. (i don't know too much about that though)

 

That's only if you use mixed size ram on the same channel, like having only a 4gb dimm and another 8gb one, those would run in flex mode (4+4gb running in dual channel, the remaining 4gb in single channel).

 

Those 48gb will also be running in dual channel, just remember to try to get 2400mhz sticks so you won't have any compatibility issues.

[TheSilentGameTestR]

get the other 2 x 8gb.   while you might be saving a little,  seems pointless having 48gb if you likely wont use 32gb. 

 

 ive mixed ram before, but that has only been on 2 slot boards, same brand and speeds, just an 8 + 4 rather aiming for the 16gb.  just dont mix brands and speeds(they will always default to 2133, but different timings etc).

[igormp]

8 minutes ago, TheSilentGameTestR said:

while you might be saving a little,  seems pointless having 48gb if you likely wont use 32gb. 

OP did mention they'll be running a Hyper-V lab, so more RAM is always welcome in this case.