How many DDR4 sticks?

[sanorin]

So I have a question about the number of DDR4 sticks I should put in my new rig.

 

The CPU will be i7-6700K, the motherboard I'm planning to buy is the Asus Z170-A, it has 4 DDR4 sockets, it supports up to 64GB, and I want to put 32GB. The picture below shows the recommended configurations from the manual.

 

Now the question is, should I put 2 x 16GB sticks, or 4 x 8GB? What are the pros and cons of each configuration? The manual does say: "For system stability, use a more efficient memory cooling system to support a full memory load (4 DIMMs)" so I'm thinking maybe 2 x 16GB is nicer?

 

Thanks!

[Slottr]

Is there a specific reason you need that much memory?

 

If its just for gaming or something.. slow down there cowboy

[sanorin]

1 minute ago, Slottr said:

Is there a specific reason you need that much memory?

 

If its just for gaming or something.. slow down there cowboy

It won't be only for gaming, I also use Photoshop, Illustrator and some video editing, so 16GB might not be enough at times

[Slottr]

6 minutes ago, sanorin said:

It won't be only for gaming, I also use Photoshop, Illustrator and some video editing, so 16GB might not be enough at times

Alright, fair. Well I guess regarding your question is that will you ever want to upgrade? Imo 32 GB is super sufficient for that kind of stuff so I'd just go 4x8.

 

But if you want to upgrade in the future go for the 2x16 

 

Cooling either way in any configuration should be fine

[Energycore]

2 sticks OC better and are upgradeable so I'd do 2x16.

 

Cooling is really a non issue for 1.35V DDR4 SDRAM

[Guest]

I would go 4x8, if you aren't planning on upgrading in the near future. Has something to do with memory lanes to your CPU. The more you use, the more efficient your ram will be.

[AlphaPolack]

Either 2 x 16GB , or 4 x 8GB will be identical performance. Z170 chipsets only have 2 channels (lanes) for data. X79, X99 have 4 channels available.

 

Going with high frequency DDR4 (3000 or above) you will be able to maintain a more stable OC with only 2 

[Lays]

8 hours ago, sanorin said:

It won't be only for gaming, I also use Photoshop, Illustrator and some video editing, so 16GB might not be enough at times

You could always get 16GB first, (2x8) and test it with your current use case scenario, odds are you won't need 32gb whatsoever for just photoshop and video editting.  If it turns out you don't need it, you saved some money and can spend it elsewhere, if it turns out you do, you can just buy a second set of what you got.

[typographie]

10 hours ago, sanorin said:

The manual does say: "For system stability, use a more efficient memory cooling system to support a full memory load (4 DIMMs)" so I'm thinking maybe 2 x 16GB is nicer?

I'm sure they included line that because they expect half their customers will try to cram it into a case with terrible airflow. As long as you're using a case that's somewhere near adequate I can't believe your memory would have any problem with heat. 2x16 GB is nicer for a few other reasons, though: you have two slots free for upgrades later (when 32 GB may already be more than you need), and it might be easier to fit certain large CPU coolers into the system when you have only two DIMMs.