How much RAM do i need

[caki92]

Hello there everyone,

I have a question, I'm building a new computer and I'm not sure how much of which memory should I buy.I have a I7 4790K CPU and a MSI Z97 U3 PLUS motherboard. Should I buy 2x4 GB 1x8 GB of RAM and with which clock speed ,should it be 1600.1866.20133 or 2400? Please help me with this one I know the more the better but at the moment I can buy only this much (8 GB).Will it be enough and if not what is your advice for me? Many thanks in advance

Sencerely Marko

[minibois]

-snip-

Gaming?

2x4GB 1600MHz, or 1866 if it is not that much more expensive or just as cheap (it happens)

[Jade]

If you're getting a 4790k, you should be doing video work or streaming, in both cases, you'll want more than 8, hands down. That aside, 2x4 is better for the now, but if you could add another 1x8 to the 'current' 1x8 within a reasonable timeframe, you would be better off going down that route.

tl;dr: 2x4 if you can't add more for a while, 1x8 if you can add another 1x8 within a reasonable amount of time.

[GuruMeditationError]

Hello there everyone,

 

2 x 4GB will give you one extra potential point of failure (extra to a 1 x 8GB stick) but if one stick fails then you can at least still operate the P.C.

 

1600 is the speed above which latency negates the advantage of greater speed, but to be honest, within the particular RAM class (DDR3, DDR2 etc.) the difference is pretty slight regardless of speed.

 

A fancy or super-powerful system isn't really that necessary for gaming, it's kind of the computing equivalent of custom hot-rod racing.

 

What @Jade says. An i7 is way more than you need for gaming right now. If you bought it because you want to process video etc. then yes get 16GB RAM. For gaming, just go for 8GB maximum (by the time games require 16GB all of our systems will be out of date).

 

Also, having 2 sticks of 4GB might be faster than 1 stick of 8GB? (although I'm not entirely sure about that)

[Whorax]

If you're getting a 4790k, you should be doing video work or streaming, in both cases, you'll want more than 8, hands down. That aside, 2x4 is better for the now, but if you could add another 1x8 to the 'current' 1x8 within a reasonable timeframe, you would be better off going down that route.

tl;dr: 2x4 if you can't add more for a while, 1x8 if you can add another 1x8 within a reasonable amount of time.

This, essentially.

[Jade]

What @Jade says. An i7 is way more than you need for gaming right now. If you bought it because you want to process video etc. then yes get 16GB RAM for gaming, just go for 8GB maximum.

i7 is more than gaming will need. Ever. The i5 will probably continue to be the go-to processor for gaming; working on the assumption that Intel continues to release CPUs.

[paprikman]

2 x 4GB will give you one extra potential point of failure (extra to a 1 x 8GB stick) but if one stick fails then you can at least still operate the P.C.

Rly? Never seen any ram crashed.

And 2x4 should work faster due to the dual channel support.

[GuruMeditationError]

Rly? Never seen any ram crashed.

And 2x4 should work faster due to the dual channel support.

 

I've had two sticks fail so far. It does happen.

[caki92]

Thanks a lot , I'll be doing some rendering but at the moment music production is the thing I need it for.And of course the games are included Cheers

[PaulKolby]

8gb of ram at 1600mhz is fine

[Teemo4Life]

2 sticks of ram is faster than one

[HEU7Hwhu7]

Gaming:8GB 1333MHz Video editing:16GB+ 1866+MHz

[interneteducated]

http://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/1349-ram-how-dual-channel-works-vs-single-channel

[paprikman]

I've had two sticks fail so far. It does happen.

It was 100% work of Illuminati. I've set up anti-reptile protection near my pc and it's ok now.

[StareX]

2x4 GB Kit, G.Skill if you want good performance or Corsair ...

 

(G.skill for the win btw ;D)

 

And second, if for gaming.. 8GB 1600MHz must.. other than 1600MHz won't really matter tbh.. it's only all about the GPU MAINLY.. and some other on the CPU. That's it.