4 x 4GB ram vs 2 x 8GB 1866hmz ram?

[Ashwin]

I've just upgraded my rig, am now looking for a ram solution.
I'm on a ga-990fxa-ud3 mobo.

Which would be better 4 sticks of 4gb ram or 2 sticks of 8gb ram?
If so what are the advantages and disadvantages?

 

[Wraith]

I've just upgraded my rig, am now looking for a ram solution.
I'm on a ga-990fxa-ud3 mobo.

Which would be better 4 sticks of 4gb ram or 2 sticks of 8gb ram?
If so what are the advantages and disadvantages?

You won't notice any performance gains or losses with either setup they will both run dual channel.

The only thing I can see being beneficial is 2 sticks of 8gb that leaves you 2 slots free just incase you want to upgrade later.

 

[RadeonHDx]

You won't notice any performance gains or losses with either setup they will both run dual channel.

The only thing I can see being beneficial is 2 sticks of 8gb that leaves you 2 slots free just incase you want to upgrade later.

Isn't there also less stress put on the memory controller on the CPU with less DIMM's?

 

[NeverBackDown]

Isn't there also less stress put on the memory controller on the CPU with less DIMM's?

Yep. You won't notice it until you start overclocking though because you will need more volts.

 

[Tripp]

go for two not four trust me

 

[RadeonHDx]

Based on these 2 factors you're probably better off going with 2 sticks of 8GB modules.

 

[Wraith]

Isn't there also less stress put on the memory controller on the CPU with less DIMM's?

As Neverbackdown has pointed out only if overclocking is applied, there would be no stress on the CPU controller at stock as it was designed that way in the first place.