32 GB RAM - 2 times 1x16 or 2 times 2x8 GB?

[Shodan]

TL;DR at the bottom.

Which of the 2 options in the title would be better and why?

Is 2x8 GB be faster than 1x16 GB because it's dual channel? Even if it is, would the fact that there is 2 times 2x8 GB against 2 times 1x16 GB change anything?

I've also heard that both variants would be equally fast because both would be dual channel, except I'd have more space by going with 2 times 1x16 GB, but that might be more expensive, so I don't think it's worth it.

I don't need space because even 32 GB is way more than enough and I'll never upgrade past it.

I want better performance (if one performs better than the other) and a better price (2 times 2x8 should be cheaper).

Also, would either option consume more power than the other? Sorry if this sounds stupid.

Anyawy, my current choice is this (2 times Kingston HyperX Fury 2x8 GB 3200 MHz):
https://www.hyperxgaming.com/us/memory/fury-ddr4

Intel Core i7-10700K and Gigabyte Z490 Aorus Pro.

Thanks in advance.

TL;DR

A) 2 times 2x8 GB RAM is faster than 2 times 1x16 GB RAM.
B) 2 times 1x16 GB RAM is faster than 2 times 2x8 GB RAM.
C) Equally fast, just a matter of space (free RAM slots).

[r.linder]

Depends on the motherboard, really. But 2x16GB is typically better, especially with more memory picky configurations like AMD Ryzen.

Overclocking RAM can also be a bit easier on 2x16 vs 4x8.

[Grimy_RIck]

2 x 8gb just make sure you install them correctly to enable dual channel, check mobo manual for details on this, also make sure you clock them to the 3200 speed as they will not run at that speed automatically.

Edit: i have an i9-9900k and run with 2x8gb 3200 and never had any problems, i would say 2x16gb is not worth it, the price/performance ratio is nowhere near acceptable for me although others opinions may differ, so unless you like to waste money i would stick with 2x8gb.

[pasa]

Unless your mobo does quad-channel (doubtful) there is no advantage of filling all the slots.

Meanwhile filling just 2 slots have clear benefits, like you can use the other two for an upgrade later.

[[☥] - CJ -]

2x8GB

[vadim]

Originally posted by ☥ - CJ -:

2x8GB

This ^.
If they costs the same there are no reasons to have 1x16 GB in gaming rig.

[upcoast]

2x16GB, why?, because you can and you'll grow into it fast enough.

BFV, Division 2 and FC5 kinda snuck up on most ppl that ran 8gb not long ago.

[Masque]

"2 times 2x8"
"2 times 1x16"

Why not just say four 8's? Or two 16's? This is weird.

[xSOSxHawkens]

2*16 optimally but both work.

[vadim]

@OP: you clearly don't need 32 GB RAM. And will not need in foreseeable future.
There are NO games nowaday that benefit from this amount of RAM.
Neither Battlefield V, nor Division 2 nor any other.
https://www.techspot.com/article/1770-how-much-ram-pc-gaming/
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/how-much-ram-memory,6092.html

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Go 2x16gb kit if the board supports 16gb per dimm

[upcoast]

Originally posted by vadim:

@OP: you clearly don't need 32 GB RAM. And will not need in foreseeable future.
There are NO games nowaday that benefit from this amount of RAM.
Neither Battlefield V, nor Division 2 nor any other.
https://www.techspot.com/article/1770-how-much-ram-pc-gaming/
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/how-much-ram-memory,6092.html

2x16gb is a cheap way to cover yourself for the next 5 ish years about as long as most ppl keep their mobos and ram.

[Revelene]

Your wording hurts my brain.

Do you mean two 16GB sticks vs four 8GB sticks?

If so, then it doesn't really matter for most modern motherboards. Unless you have a cheap motherboard, it should be at least dual channel with 2 or 4 slots populated. If you have a higher end mobo, it might even be quad channel for 4 slots populated. Check your manual if you're not sure.

I would say 2x16GB for the sake of an upgrade path for more memory.

[Monk]

I like the look of 4x8 myself, if you have a modern mobo, the performance difference is negligible.

[vadim]

Originally posted by Monk:

I like the look of 4x8 myself, if you have a modern mobo, the performance difference is negligible.

2DPC RAM mode is always worse

[Monk]

On modern mid tier and up mobos the difference is so small, it's not really worth mentioning in most casual/gaming situations, to the point, that it looking nice is more important to me, someone who kind of enjoys getting max performance out of their systems, so I run 4x8GB and 8x4GB.