12GB DDR3 - 2 x 6GB kits or 1 x 12GB kit?

Simon42

Simon42

Simon42

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I am after 12GB for a new i7 920 build and in the past I've not worried about buying all the RAM as a single matched kit, but as I've seen a lot of posts about issues running 6 sticks I am leaning towards buying one 12GB kit for this build to reduce the risk of issues.

However this severely limits the choice is of course dearer, so I am wondering what the opinion is on whether the 12GB kits are worthwhile?

(Before anyone asks - I use virtual machines and other software that will benefit from 12GB ;))
 
I think the problem with 12GB of RAM on the i7 comes when you overclock the RAM. The IMC starts to struggle to handle 6 stick of RAM overclocked.
 
I'll second that, although most boards offer 2x the channels in slots (ie. 4 slots for dual channel, 6 slots for tripple channels) invariably you run into issues with populating all slots, especially if you are running the memory in an 'overclock'.

I always find that the memory reverts to base timings, which for expensive RAM can be quite a performance drop...

So to answer you question, try to only use 1 'set' of ram. So 1 x 12GB would be better, though atm would be horribly expensive I'd have thought. Do you really need that much RAM?
 
Crucial do 3x4gb sticks but are horribly expensive compared to 6x2gb sticks.

Would be better if overclocking to be honest but then again some people (including me) have ran into few problems when running 6x2gb sticks and overclock fine, depends on chip

brad_whitwell said:
Do you really need that much RAM?
Click to expand...

He stated his reason in his OP, running VM's and other software that will benefit from the RAM.
 
There are minor problems.

I personally am experiencing a slight problem with my 4ghz i7 920 setup and running 12GB at its rated 1600mhz. The system where completely stable with 6GB (3x2GB) will not boot and blue screens on my Vista load page with 12GB (6x2GB) and 1600mhz. It will not even post with 1200mhz @ 4ghz.

The best i managed to date is 3.7ghz CPU , with ram 12GB @ 1410mhz. Not bad to be honest after having time to think about it myself. I think some could do allot worse. It just saps the dimms and the way intel have designed this new working system it struggles to power the dimms , keep the qpi/vvt level current and run the overclock with the speed of the ram. Its all too much in my case.

But its a good amount of memory to have , disabling page files helps speed everything up too.

I am un decided if i am going to keep the 12GB with a lower 3.7ghz clock or , revert back to 6GB 4ghz+ and get an SSD. ??

McT
 
Skyline said:
Most 12Gb kits are actually 6x2Gb sticks
Click to expand...

Yes but it all comes down to whether a single matched kit is better than two or more smaller matched kits. It's probably the same most of the time, but who knows when the manufacturer will amend the design/change supplier etc..
 
I seen on Crucial's site 24Gb kit. 3x8Gb.

So if you have $5200 spare, you can have 48Gb. Thats only if there's a board the supports that.
 
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