2x16 vs 4x8 RAM
2x16 vs 4x8 RAM
Hi, i have simple question, is really that much difference between 2 sticks of 16 GB or 4 sticks of 8GB ? I read that 2 sticks has better overclocking potential, but how much is that difference 5% or more ? I would probably buy 2 sticks of 16 GB, but they are out of stock in every big eShop in my country. But i found one eShop is restocking 2 x 8 GB sticks, should i take them or just wait till 2 x 16 GB will be restocked too. It is BL2K8G36C16U4B vs BL2K16G36C16U4B Thank you.
Hello, I can help you with these questions. Is there really a significant distinction between two packs of 16 GB or four packs of 8 GB? >>You're mainly looking for dual or quad channel performance based on your motherboard. The main difference is flexibility for future upgrades. For instance, if your motherboard supports four RAM slots, purchasing two 16 GB sticks lets you add two more slots later. I’ve heard that two sticks offer better overclocking options, though the improvement might be around 5% or less. >>The greater the total memory, the more challenging it becomes to push performance beyond its official rating. The rated speed is the advertised maximum for your RAM. For example, a Corsair Vengenace 3200Mhz with two 16 GB modules would run at 3200Mhz. I’d likely choose two 16 GB sticks, but they’re currently unavailable in most major online stores. >>As mentioned earlier, having extra slots is useful for expansion plans. But I noticed one store is restocking 8 GB packs; should I go for them now or wait until the 16 GB ones arrive? >>You can combine different RAM amounts, but your system will run at the slowest rated speed among all modules. If you have two 3200Mhz sticks and another 2400Mhz stick, your overall performance will cap at the lowest of those speeds.
Not at all. As long as you can choose the speed you prefer, there are no drawbacks. What I meant with lower capacity RAM being able to run faster is this point. If you check 4000Mhz and above RAMs, you'll see 8GB sticks available. But 16GB DDR4 RAMs can be found at 3600Mhz or less. Therefore, if you're aiming for 3600Mhz or below, 16GB RAMs will work well for your needs.
I observe from the 36 and 16 values that the frequency is 3600Mhz at CL16. That’s why I mentioned if 3600mhz fits your requirements then it’s acceptable. I aimed to provide as much clarity as possible instead of a simple yes or no, so you can gather enough information to decide on your own. In the end, the choice remains with you.
Based on the motherboard design and your CPU's memory controller, using two slots might be simpler to achieve higher frequencies, even if only slightly. The memory chip setup—single or dual rank—can also influence performance when all four slots are filled at the same frequency. In the end, these variations are small. It’s usually better to leave fewer slots occupied for easier management and more future expansion. Or go all the way for a cleaner look. That’s my approach.