Quad Channel kit vs 2x Dual Channel kit for Dual Channel Motherboard (SOLVED)

[𝔇ave]

I'm looking at buying a new 1151CL board that has 4x Dual channel RAM slots and want to know if i should buy a Quad channel RAM kit (assuming they aren't configured for Quad Channel only) or 2x Dual Channel kits? i had thought a Quad Channel Kit (again assuming they aren't configured for Quad Channel use only) would be better due to being matched modules or will i need to get 2x Dual Channel kits and do my best to keep Paired Modules together? I want to occupy all 4 RAM slots so i ask the Hardware Legends of the Steam Hardware Discussions for advice :) cheers

[Sapph]

Unless you're planning on going with 32Gb (4x8Gb), you shouldn't bother with 4 sticks.
Either way, no matter what you do, each kit will run Dual Channel. So it makes no difference how you buy them.

[𝔇ave]

yea i got money to burn and theres one particular Memory heavy game i play that eats up 16gb or ram with ease so i'm gonna go 32gb.. i know its overkill for 99.9% of games right now.. the particular modules i want dont come in a 4gb stick so im kinda forced to go 32gb if i want to occupy all slots... my main concern was a quad channel kit simply not working in a dual channel arrangement due to the way they are configured or watever. can't find much info on the web as to the difference in compatability other than quad channel kits being matched modules

[Sapph]

Originally posted by Ðavз:

yea i got money to burn and theres one particular Memory heavy game i play that eats up 16gb or ram with ease so i'm gonna go 32gb.. i know its overkill for 99.9% of games right now.. the particular modules i want dont come in a 4gb stick so im kinda forced to go 32gb if i want to occupy all slots... my main concern was a quad channel kit simply not working in a dual channel arrangement due to the way they are configured or watever. can't find much info on the web as to the difference in compatability other than quad channel kits being matched modules

It's just simply 4 same models of RAM sticks there were tested in a group, closely from same production line/batch.
In modern days, it makes no difference.

Back when Quad Channel was a new thing, it actually mattered.

[vadim]

In general, its always slightly worse to have 2DPC rig. They have twice higher rank, create more (electric) MCH load, support lower frequencies, usually need 2T command timing and so on. Really this difference is quite small, except supported speed.
If you going to use all 4 DIMM slots, difference between quadchannel kit and two dual-channel is negligible. I never even been able to better oveclock former of those. But, ofc, it looks possible that quadchannel kit could be overclocked slightly better. Or could not. Unpredictable.

[Monk]

Quad and dual channel kits are identical RAM (of the same model) it's simply for convenience that they come in a single pair Vs 4 sticks.

I've not looked into the memory much, but aurous has just launched an interesting kit where it comes with 4 sticks for the sake of looks / rgb pimp'ness but only has 2 working sticks of actual RAM, the other 2 are just dummies with the lights.

So they may be a slightly cheaper option.

Beyond that, look for the cheapest option , be it 2x16 or 4x8.

I personally use 8x4GB to populate all slots as it looks cooler than 4x8GB, so I appreciate wanting all 4 sticks :)

End of the day, performance will be all but identical.

[𝔇ave]

excellent :) thanks guys ! i appreciate your advice and knowledge guess i will go with the cheaper option of 2x dual channel kits

@Monk that dummy module is actually pretty cool. i never would have known of such a thing if you hadn't mentioned it :)

[MA☝Omgwtfbbqstfu™]

Originally posted by Ðavз:

yea i got money to burn and theres one particular Memory heavy game i play that eats up 16gb or ram with ease so i'm gonna go 32gb.. i know its overkill for 99.9% of games right now.. the particular modules i want dont come in a 4gb stick so im kinda forced to go 32gb if i want to occupy all slots... my main concern was a quad channel kit simply not working in a dual channel arrangement due to the way they are configured or watever. can't find much info on the web as to the difference in compatability other than quad channel kits being matched modules

Its not, the rest is used as cache for windows, and closing chrome is too much trouble

[Monk]

Originally posted by Ðavз:

excellent :) thanks guys ! i appreciate your advice and knowledge :47_thumb_up: guess i will go with the cheaper option of 2x dual channel kits

@Monk that dummy module is actually pretty cool. i never would have known of such a thing if you hadn't mentioned it :)

yeah, not sure what capacity they come in or the memory modules they are using, but i reckon its a great idea and i see more brands offering, as empty slots dont look as good lol