Question

Need advice regarding memory (RAM)

Asked by: kapot

I hope you can advice me on this.

I have dilemma on a system that I plan to build.

*** Processor Intel Core i7 920
*** Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R

Ideally, I want to have at least 8 GB of RAM.

Should I go with dual channels 2x4GB or tripple channels 3x2GB?

Tripple channels 3x4GB is still too expensive for my current budget.

If I am not mistaken, this motherboard has 4 memory slots.

If I invest tripple channels 3x2GB, it will be too expensive to upgrade (for example to 12 GB).

What would be better? 2x4GB or 3x2GB?

Thanks.

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Asked On
2009-11-03 at 00:14:03ID24866360
Topic

Personal Computers

Participating Experts
2
Points
150
Comments
4

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Answers

 

by: ISoulPosted on 2009-11-03 at 00:38:44ID: 25726981

I think you might find this article interesting: http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/15967

You'll take a small performance hit by using dual channel versus triple channel RAM.

I think 3x2GB would be a better choice, because I personally think 6GB should be plenty unless you're a SUPER power user, but that's for you to decide.

I think you'll benefit more from the increase performance than the likelihood that you really actually need that extra 2GB.

 

by: kapotPosted on 2009-11-03 at 06:20:26ID: 25729146

Hi ISoul,

I checked that article and I found that the performance difference between dual channels and tripple channels is not that much.

Probably just couple of frames / sec or seconds of processing time.

It is interesting to know though.

Thinking of that, probably I would then use 2x4GB ...

If I later buy another 1x4GB ... Will this be treated as tripple channels?

For the tripple channels to work, do I need to use specially made for tripple channels?

Or can I buy 2x4GB from Kingston and later buy 1x4GB from OCZ :)

 

by: garycasePosted on 2009-11-03 at 07:27:59ID: 25729833

I'd buy 2 x 4GB now. You can always add another 4GB module and will then get the benefits of triple channel.

You don't need to use the same manufacturer when you add the 3rd module, but it's generally best just to be sure the specs match ... but all that's really necessary is that you buy memory with the same specifications.

In other words ...

"... do I need to use specially made for tripple channels? " ==> No.

"... can I buy 2x4GB from Kingston and later buy 1x4GB from OCZ :) "  ==>  Yes.

 

by: kapotPosted on 2009-11-04 at 01:50:52ID: 31649271

Thanks guys! You have made my life easier. Great for EE community too :)

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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