2 X 8 or 4 X 4?

[Reddog]

Hi, don't know if this as been asked before but i'am about to order my new MB, I've gone for the Z77 Mpower, now what i would like to know is,is it better to have 2 sticks of RAM or 4? From what i've read 2 puts less stress on the memory controller.

 

[jamesriley94]

Ivybridge (assuming you're using it) has a good memory controller so it shouldn't really make much of a difference.
What are you using the PC for?

For a start - do you even need 16gb of RAM to start with?
Secondly - the only reason I'd have thought you'd have got 2x8gb would be to add another 16gb at a later date? Which I'm pretty sure you won't ever need.

I'd stick to 4gb sticks - there's more of a choice for which RAM to buy too.

 

[Reddog]

It will be for gaming mainly, using a I5 3570K.

 

[jamesriley94]

Games won't use anymore than 8gb total...

Only rendering will use more than 8gb so you may as well save money and just get a 2x4gb kit.
You can always add to it later if you really feel the need to.

 

[Reddog]

Thanks mate i can put the money saved towards a better graphics card.

 

[yassarikhan786]

Yeah, 8GB is more than fine. If you want to run a couple of virtual machines 16GB would be ideal, but you're main use will be gaming