8gb dual-channel VS 16gb non dual-channel

[Darkdeviousdevil]

Right now, I have a system with 8gbs of ddr4 ram in the form of two 4gb sticks. I also have a single ddr4 8gb stick laying around. Should I install the single stick along with the other modules, or stick with the dual-channel performace? Not to mention, the single stick runs at a different speed than the other two sticks.

[Push]

dual channel performance

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Then good idea to get 2x8GB and add them to your existing 2x4GB
To keep dual channel and all the RAM working under that.
Just ensure the new RAM has the same specs as the current.
Otherwise they will not mesh well together.
While this will be maxing out your 4 DIMMs, 24GB is plenty

[Washell]

There's virtually no (real world) performance difference between single and dual channel, while you will notice going from 8 to 16. Stick it in.

Originally posted by Carvenger:

Not to mention, the single stick runs at a different speed than the other two sticks.

The motherboard will find the lowest common denominator between the sticks (lowest speed, loosest timings). But even that will hardly be noticeable.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Originally posted by Washell:

There's virtually no (real world) performance difference between single and dual channel, while you will notice going from 8 to 16. Stick it in.

Originally posted by Carvenger:

Not to mention, the single stick runs at a different speed than the other two sticks.

The motherboard will find the lowest common denominator between the sticks (lowest speed, loosest timings). But even that will hardly be noticeable.

Still doesn't make sense to do it the way the OP was suggesting.
Now if this was a new build and you were perhaps getting a better deal on 1x 16GB; then go for it. But 2x 4GB + 1x 16GB; yea makes no sense to do it that way.

You want all RAM to match, 100%, and apply XMP to lock in correct settings.
You never use "Auto"; that is merely to help ensure the system boots when trying "defaults"

[Washell]

Originally posted by Bad_Motha:

Still doesn't make sense to do it the way the OP was suggesting.

Did you read the OP? I get the sense you didn't. He has 8GB installed, and an 8GB stick lying idle. Free upgrade. It makes perfect sense to stick it in.

Originally posted by Bad_Motha:

You never use "Auto"; that is merely to help ensure the system boots when trying "defaults"

For twenty years I've never seen more than an minor performance difference in the same generation of memory matter anywhere but at the extreme ends, or benchmarks. Neither are relevant in this case. Memory speeds/timings just aren't a bottleneck in real world consumer/gaming applications. Size of it is. Set it if you want, it won't get you a single frame per second more.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Still negates the factors of buying/installing "correct" RAM
If they don't match; that leads to all sorts of random issues. Do not do it.
1x16GB vs 2x8GB costs virtually the same $; so why go 1x16GB

Overall, just match all RAM specs and enable XMP you'll be fine.

[Washell]

The current cost is zero. Nothing he can buy will be "virtually the same" cost.

@OP: check the voltage and the XMP profiles. If the voltage is the same and at least one of the XMP profiles is the same, it's perfectly fine.