2x4 or 1x8 RAM?

[Hamzer the Conqueror (of lands)]

Is there really much of a difference? I mean the motherboard I have only has 2 slots anyway so would there be any reason to go with 2x4?

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Only 2 slots; then you dam sure want 2x 8GB
8GB alone is no where near enough.
Your OS will use 2-4GB right at bootup; that doesn't leave enough for Games.

[Hamzer the Conqueror (of lands)]

Originally posted by Bad_Motha:

Only 2 slots; then you dam sure want 2x 8GB
8GB alone is no where near enough.
Your OS will use 2-4GB right at bootup; that doesn't leave enough for Games.

Um...8gb is definitely enough for the build I’m planning. It holds up fine for a 1070 with games at max settings (even though it probably will need an upgrade soon) and it definitely will for a 1060. I’d say that the system uses 2-3gb at boot up not 4

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

If you have only two slots then I would go with one 8 GB stick until you can afford to add second one or just bite the bullet and go for 2x8 GB since lot of newer games are already taking advantage of it and the need for it will only grow.
Dual-channel has some impact, bigger on Ryzen PCs and especially on Ryzen APUs but not having free slot if you need to upgrade later is annoying too.

[Hamzer the Conqueror (of lands)]

Well, if the benefit isn’t noticeable in everyday usage and gameplay I’ll just go with the single

[hawkeye]

A few games benefit from 2 sticks, most don't. The difference isn't that big anyway.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Someone clue this person in already; you can't run todays stuff on 8GB RAM, no way.
Not unless all you plan to run is a stripped down OS Startup, and then just the game client + game. You sure as hell can't multi-task with 8GB

Games today need 8-12GB of RAM by itself.

The entire system and OS benefits from Dual Channel RAM; since it will always be running at that rate.

[🦊Λℚ𝓤ΛƑΛᗯҜᔕ🦊]

1x8 costs the same as 2x4. There's literally no reason to cripple your computer's performance by not using dual channel.

Also like others have said, 2x8 is the bare minimum to function today. Even 20 tabs in chrome + base OS would eat up 8GB of ram. Good thing you don't want to play star citizen any time soon.. that game requires 32GB.

[Hamzer the Conqueror (of lands)]

Originally posted by Bad_Motha:

Someone clue this person in already; you can't run todays stuff on 8GB RAM, no way.
Not unless all you plan to run is a stripped down OS Startup, and then just the game client + game. You sure as hell can't multi-task with 8GB

Games today need 8-12GB of RAM by itself.

The entire system and OS benefits from Dual Channel RAM; since it will always be running at that rate.

What kind of multitasking are you expecting me to do while playing a game exactly? I’m not a streamer, I’m not editing any videos, I’m obviously not browsing the Internet, so in that instance 8gb of ram IS enough for anything but the most demanding games at the highest settings, and this is with a rainmeter skin on by the way. There’s nothing to clue me in on, this is from actual experience. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥...

Im not saying the time won’t come, but just for the time being, for like a few months, it will suffice

Originally posted by Impending Rentacle Tape:

1x8 costs the same as 2x4. There's literally no reason to cripple your computer's performance by not using dual channel.

Also like others have said, 2x8 is the bare minimum to function today. Even 20 tabs in chrome + base OS would eat up 8GB of ram. Good thing you don't want to play star citizen any time soon.. that game requires 32GB.

Yes but there’s also the possibility that I want to get more ram in the future, and I’m wondering whether or not it would be worth it to just use dual channel or leave one open.

Definitely not planning on playing star citizen

[🦊Λℚ𝓤ΛƑΛᗯҜᔕ🦊]

Originally posted by Miss Ann Thrope:

Originally posted by Bad_Motha:

Someone clue this person in already; you can't run todays stuff on 8GB RAM, no way.
Not unless all you plan to run is a stripped down OS Startup, and then just the game client + game. You sure as hell can't multi-task with 8GB

Games today need 8-12GB of RAM by itself.

The entire system and OS benefits from Dual Channel RAM; since it will always be running at that rate.

Games will run okay with 8GB RAM. Performance may not be ideal, especially if other programs are running in the background, but the vast majority of games (even modern titles) don't require more than 8GB.

Ark: Survival Evolved is at least one title that will eat up 10~12GB of system ram and 5~7GB Vram on max settings @ 1080p, there's other titles.

[Hamzer the Conqueror (of lands)]

Originally posted by Impending Rentacle Tape:

Originally posted by Miss Ann Thrope:

Games will run okay with 8GB RAM. Performance may not be ideal, especially if other programs are running in the background, but the vast majority of games (even modern titles) don't require more than 8GB.

Ark: Survival Evolved is at least one title that will eat up 10~12GB of system ram and 5~7GB Vram on max settings @ 1080p, there's other titles.

I’m sure there are other titles, but the vast majority is still the vast majority. And again, I think we’ll be able to get a full 16gb at some point in the future because I know 8gb is going to be too little pretty soon but for now it’s kind of just playing a low numbers game with my parents. Also, my brother (who the computer is for) isn’t really into games like star citizen and ark. He’s into the more optimised triple A stuff and some other lighter games

[🦊Λℚ𝓤ΛƑΛᗯҜᔕ🦊]

Originally posted by Hamzer the Conqueror (of lands):

I’m sure there are other titles, but the vast majority is still the vast majority. And again, I think we’ll be able to get a full 16gb at some point in the future because I know 8gb is going to be too little pretty soon. Also, my brother (who the computer is for) isn’t really into games like star citizen and ark. He’s into the more optimised triple A stuff and some other lighter games

8GB of system ram on windows 10 is going to lead to a miserable, poor gaming experience in most games. We tried to warn you. Running single-channel and reducing your ram speed by -40% isn't going to help matters either.

[Hamzer the Conqueror (of lands)]

Originally posted by Impending Rentacle Tape:

Originally posted by Hamzer the Conqueror (of lands):

I’m sure there are other titles, but the vast majority is still the vast majority. And again, I think we’ll be able to get a full 16gb at some point in the future because I know 8gb is going to be too little pretty soon. Also, my brother (who the computer is for) isn’t really into games like star citizen and ark. He’s into the more optimised triple A stuff and some other lighter games

8GB of system ram on windows 10 is going to lead to a miserable, poor gaming experience in most games. We tried to warn you.

If that’s what you were trying to do(?) it wouldn’t have exactly mattered. I’ve been playing on 8gb for like over a year now. Relax man, task manager has told me what I need to know at this point.

At least I kind of got an answer to my question...

Originally posted by Impending Rentacle Tape:

Running single-channel and reducing your ram speed by -40% isn't going to help matters either.

Are you sure that isn’t a little bit of an exaggeration? Not that I know it’s just that it would help us make the decision

[🦊Λℚ𝓤ΛƑΛᗯҜᔕ🦊]

Originally posted by Hamzer the Conqueror (of lands):

If that’s what you were trying to do(?) it wouldn’t have exactly mattered. I’ve been playing on 8gb for like over a year now. Relax man, task manager has told me what I need to know at this point.

At least I kind of got an answer to my question...

And you're playing your games on 1080p @ maximum ultra settings, every possible graphics option turned on/up/max ?

[Hamzer the Conqueror (of lands)]

Originally posted by Impending Rentacle Tape:

Originally posted by Hamzer the Conqueror (of lands):

If that’s what you were trying to do(?) it wouldn’t have exactly mattered. I’ve been playing on 8gb for like over a year now. Relax man, task manager has told me what I need to know at this point.

At least I kind of got an answer to my question...

And you're playing your games on 1080p @ maximum ultra settings, every possible graphics option turned on/up/max ?

Indeed, except for some things like the Witcher and that hairworks option. I’ll admit there are a COUPLE of games where I need to turn down some settings but it’s never more than 2 or 3 and definitely not by more than one level. And just to be clear, this new PC has a weaker card and lower expectations from the user. I’ll probably be getting that extra 8gb in the next month but he’ll be fine for like a few months

[🦊Λℚ𝓤ΛƑΛᗯҜᔕ🦊]

Originally posted by Hamzer the Conqueror (of lands):

Indeed, except for some things like the Witcher and that hairworks option. I’ll admit there are a COUPLE of games where I need to turn down some settings but it’s never more than 2 or 3 and definitely not by more than one level. And just to be clear, this new PC has a weaker card and lower expectations from the user. I’ll probably be getting that extra 8gb in the next month but he’ll be fine for like a few months

Windows does some "weird magic inside" that it performs different, even in day-to-day tasks not gaming with more ram in the system. It's another of those things like high refresh rate screens that's really difficult to explain on the internet and that once you personally see the difference in your usual computing tasks with 16GB, you'll never go back to 8GB again. All my computers in the house have 16GB ram now, my gaming one my chatting one and my laptop.