Do you really need 4 RAM slots?

[ILKA]

8GB is seen as ok, 16GB is way above average and almost never needed, 32GB is practically never needed.

Some cheaper (yet better developed) motherboards only have 2 RAM slots, supporting 32GB of RAM, is that really a big issue? or could it be just as good as an ATX board?

[Mossy Snake]

16Gb is becoming the norm. Many games use 7-9Gb on higher settings.
8 is good for a budget
32 is for productivity work

[Snapjak]

It's easier to upgrade with 4 slots, but you don't necessarily "need" any unless you have a use for high amounts of memory.

[rotNdude]

The number of slots on the motherboard don't matter, it's the total memory that the board supports.

[Meurock460]

I'd say 16gb is standard these days, with 8gb being a temp route for those on a budget.

Having 2 ram slots doesn't affect anything, other than the fact that upgrade options are more limited compared to having 4 slots. Performance will be the same.

That said, even the lowest end B250 (Intel) or B350 (AMD) motherboards typically feature 4 ram slots.

[Lord Flashheart]

If you need to use them, then do so. If not then do not use it.
Do you use all the PCI/PCie slots on your motherboard?
Do you use all the sata connections?

My PC. An i7-3770k & asrock z77 extreme6 motherboard with 32 GB RAM. It has various connectors unused. It even has a floopy drive connector on the motherboard. I guess less that 1/2 percent of those with the motherboard use it.

The point is most will not need 4 RAM slots but some will.

[ILKA]

Aye, but if im gaming, not doing modelling, wouldnt 16GB be enough? the motherboard can support 32GB in total, is 64GB just stretching it?

[Meurock460]

Originally posted by ILKA:

Aye, but if im gaming, not doing modelling, wouldnt 16GB be enough? the motherboard can support 32GB in total, is 64GB just stretching it?

16gb is plenty for gaming and will be enough for a good while.

What motherboard is it? Even the lowest end B250 (Intel) or B350 (AMD) boards typically have 4 slots standard for a max total of 64GB.

[ILKA]

Originally posted by Meurock372:

Originally posted by ILKA:

Aye, but if im gaming, not doing modelling, wouldnt 16GB be enough? the motherboard can support 32GB in total, is 64GB just stretching it?

16gb is plenty for gaming and will be enough for a good while.

What motherboard is it? Even the lowest end B250 (Intel) or B350 (AMD) boards typically have 4 slots standard for a max total of 64GB.

B250M gaming pro, it has good reviews https://www.novatech.co.uk/products/msi-b250m-gaming-pro-intel-b250-socket-1151-motherboard/b250mgamingpro.html?gclid=CJqk5PfYiNMCFUQq0wodZ8kMuw#utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=products

Or I might get the B250 MORTAR instead (it has 4 slots and 3 fan headers)

[Meurock460]

Originally posted by ILKA:

Originally posted by Meurock372:

16gb is plenty for gaming and will be enough for a good while.

What motherboard is it? Even the lowest end B250 (Intel) or B350 (AMD) boards typically have 4 slots standard for a max total of 64GB.

B250M gaming pro, it has good reviews https://www.novatech.co.uk/products/msi-b250m-gaming-pro-intel-b250-socket-1151-motherboard/b250mgamingpro.html?gclid=CJqk5PfYiNMCFUQq0wodZ8kMuw#utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=products

Or I might get the B250 MORTAR instead (it has 4 slots and 3 fan headers)

16GB (2x8GB kit) will work fine with the B250M Gaming Pro, and you'll have plenty enough ram to get you by for a few years.

I'd say the MORTAR is a better board. The 4 slots, better vrm cooling and extra fan header are worth it if the board doesnt cost too much more than the Gaming Pro.

On a side note, I'd suggest waiting mid april for the CPU if you don't need a system right this minute. There is always a chance that Intel might lower i5 pricing due to competition from the 1400/1500X.

[ILKA]

Originally posted by Meurock372:

Originally posted by ILKA:

B250M gaming pro, it has good reviews https://www.novatech.co.uk/products/msi-b250m-gaming-pro-intel-b250-socket-1151-motherboard/b250mgamingpro.html?gclid=CJqk5PfYiNMCFUQq0wodZ8kMuw#utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=products

Or I might get the B250 MORTAR instead (it has 4 slots and 3 fan headers)

16GB (2x8GB kit) will work fine with the B250M Gaming Pro, and you'll have plenty enough ram to get you by for a few years.

I'd say the MORTAR is a better board. The 4 slots, better vrm cooling and extra fan header are worth it if the board doesnt cost too much more than the Gaming Pro.

On a side note, I'd suggest waiting mid april for the CPU if your not in a rush. There is always a chance that Intel might lower i5 pricing due to competition from the 1400/1500X.

> RX 1500/1600X
> Better than I5

good luck with that one, every time people gets excited, it just flops

[upcoast]

Originally posted by ILKA:

Aye, but if im gaming, not doing modelling, wouldnt 16GB be enough? the motherboard can support 32GB in total, is 64GB just stretching it?

TBH, last year the majority of ppl on these forums were still flogging 8GB as the norm and no extra ram was needed, as far as what amount of ram you want or need in the future years it would be a guess.

Taking a board with only 2 Dimms to me is a bad choice if you're planning to keep the platform for years which most non elitist ppl do keep a platform for a good 5yrs or more.

Dimm count is just another form of upgrade path same as ram size.

Then you've got redundancy 4x8GB 1 set goes down no problem there's still another 2x8GB in there. Same with Dimm slots they sometimes fail so having 4 slots buys you time to decide what to do about it should one or two slots pack it in.

Then you've got the flexibility options say you've had 2x4GB in then BF1 wants 10GB or JC3 is sucking up your 2x4GB if you've got 4 Dimm slots it's easily fixed just throw in another 2x8GB for 24GB and be done with it.

[Meurock460]

Originally posted by ILKA:

Originally posted by Meurock372:

16GB (2x8GB kit) will work fine with the B250M Gaming Pro, and you'll have plenty enough ram to get you by for a few years.

I'd say the MORTAR is a better board. The 4 slots, better vrm cooling and extra fan header are worth it if the board doesnt cost too much more than the Gaming Pro.

On a side note, I'd suggest waiting mid april for the CPU if your not in a rush. There is always a chance that Intel might lower i5 pricing due to competition from the 1400/1500X.

> RX 1500/1600X
> Better than I5

good luck with that one, every time people gets excited, it just flops

We won't know 1400/1500X performance until April 11th when released. I don't reckon they'll be too much different from an i5 7400/7500, which is their main competition in terms of price but then again, they haven't launched or been reviewed yet.

That aside, my point was that it might be worth waiting to see if Intel does do anything with i5 pricing. Its not likely they will, but doesn't mean it won't happen either.

Back on topic though, whether you have 2 ram slots, or 4 ram slots, you won't have any issue running a 2x4gb or 2x8gb kit. Performance won't be affected either, as dual channel also works on boards with 2 slots. Just keep in mind that 2 slots does limit future upgrades so take that into account.

Between the Mortar and the Gaming Pro, I'd say the Mortar is the better board, but if your on a budget, then the additional cost of the Mortar may not be worth it.