DDR4 2x8 RAM sticks or 4x4?

[Barkenadem]

So I recently decided to build my pc, and i've come to a non-decisive question, should I grab 2x8 RAM or 4x4 RAM, knowing it's DDR4 (Taking into account that the motherboard has two channels, therefore, two slots per channel)? Any advantages or disadvantages in both sides, or doesn't it really matter at all?

 

 

 

Specs:

Motherboard: MSI Z170A Krait Gaming

RAM: 2x8/4x4 (16GB) Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4 2400  

 

Thanks in advance,

[grayblizzard]

So I recently decided to build my pc, and i've come to a non-decisive question, should I grab 2x8 RAM or 4x4 RAM, knowing it's DDR4 (Taking into account that the motherboard has two channels, therefore, two slots per channel)? Any advantages or disadvantages in both sides, or doesn't it really matter at all?

 

 

 

Specs:

Motherboard: MSI Z170A Krait Gaming

RAM: 2x8/4x4 (16GB) Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4 2400  

 

Thanks in advance,

2 x 8 as upgradability is worth more than the marginal improvment 4x4

[Enderman]

4x4 looks better, 2x8 has room to upgrade in the future

[Oshino Shinobu]

There's essentially no difference in performance. It won't show in benchmarks, let alone real world performance. Go for 2x8, so you have the option to upgrade in the future. 

[Redsun20]

4X4 looks sweet, but 8X2 is more logical and will be a better upgrade path. Another thing is that if you want to reuse the ram, you can have 4X4 GB systems, instead of 2X8GB systems, but it really doesn't matter. I would go with wathever you find to be better.

[Barkenadem]

4X4 looks sweet, but 8X2 is more logical and will be a better upgrade path. Another thing is that if you want to reuse the ram, you can have 4X4 GB systems, instead of 2X8GB systems, but it really doesn't matter. I would go with wathever you find to be better.

 

 

There's essentially no difference in performance. It won't show in benchmarks, let alone real world performance. Go for 2x8, so you have the option to upgrade in the future. 

 

 

4x4 looks better, 2x8 has room to upgrade in the future

 

 

2 x 8 as upgradability is worth more than the marginal improvment

 

Thanks to everyone! Will defo go 2x8 then, and put 16gb more once I have the money.

[Redsun20]

Thanks to everyone! Will defo go 2x8 then, and put 16gb more once I have the money.

Good idea!

[typographie]

It doesn't matter—which is why it's better to go with the option that affords you more flexibility: 2x8 GB.

[Bojamijams]

4x4 is also harder on the integrated memory controller (IMC).  Will only show in overclocking usually 

[Nena Trinity]

2 x 8 as upgradability is worth more than the marginal improvment

I dunno who needs over 16GBs?

[Hieb]

I heard that 8GB DIMMs theoretically perform better than having more 4GB DIMMs, something to do with having the units of memory on both sides of the DIMM or something?

[typographie]

I dunno who needs over 16GBs?

 

It's not about whether you "need" 32 GB, it's whether you want to deprive yourself of the option and get nothing in return. By that logic, a gamer doesn't actually need 16 GB, either.

 

People keep their motherboards + memory for years at a time. Who knows, maybe the OP will develop a fiery passion for video editing during the lifetime of this system. Who wants to live a predictable life?

[Nena Trinity]

It's not about whether you "need" 32 GB, it's whether you want to deprive yourself of the option and get nothing in return. By that logic, a gamer doesn't actually need 16 GB, either.

 

People keep their motherboards + memory for years at a time. Who knows, maybe the OP will develop a fiery passion for video editing during the lifetime of this system. Who wants to live a predictable life?

I guess but 4x4 looks neat! :3

[Coaxialgamer]

Since z170 only supports dual channel , go for 2*8 , that way you'll be able to upgrade in the future

[Barkenadem]

It's not about whether you "need" 32 GB, it's whether you want to deprive yourself of the option and get nothing in return. By that logic, a gamer doesn't actually need 16 GB, either.

 

People keep their motherboards + memory for years at a time. Who knows, maybe the OP will develop a fiery passion for video editing during the lifetime of this system. Who wants to live a predictable life?

 

Hopping in real quick, 

 

Well, actually, i'm developing a passion for video editing and musical production (+sound engineering/sound design), therefore I do need it. Nonetheless, I will use this pc for gaming aswell, but the main aim of it is basically for audiovisual productions (in terms of the RAM).