Quad channel RAM in triple channel mobo/setup

  • Thread starter Thread starter Seirrah
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Seirrah

Seirrah

I currently have an Asus p6t deluxe v2 motherboard, running an i7-920. I currently have 3 x 2GB (1600Mhz) sticks of RAM. I would like to increase this.

Considering I may soon upgrade to an Ivybridge CPU/mobo I was considering getting a quad channel kit (eg. 4 x 4GB) now and using it with my i7 920 - using 3 sticks initially. Would this work happily?

Also, as my motherboard can take a maximum RAM speed of 2000Mhz, would getting 2400Mhz RAM work? (at 2000MHz, in my current setup)

Sorry if these questions are basic, I'll admit that Memory is the component I know least about.
 
4 memory modules should ok in your current motherboard but you would need to check your manual for correct memory configuration when running 4 modules.

If Ivy Bridge is anything like Sandy Bridge 1600mhz will be adequate.
 
1) You should be able to use 3 DIMMs with your current setup at whatever speed your motherboard will support.

2) If you're buying this RAM to eventually use in an Ivy Bridge setup then expensive 2400MHz RAM would seem to be overkill assuming that it'll perform the same as it does with Sandy Bridge, i.e. diminishing returns with anything over 1600MHz.

3) You may buy a quad channel kit but with Ivy Bridge it'll work as two pairs in dual channel mode.

The Samsung RAM on offer here might be an interesting choice.

Not much more expensive than other 1600MHz RAM and with the possibility of decent overclocking if you want to give it a go.
 
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Also, if you install four RAM sticks (say 4x4GB) into a triple channel motherboard then for the first 12GB the memory speed will be the full triple channel bandwidth, however for the last 4GB the bandwidth will only be single channel.

Practically, you probably won't notice the difference and it means the extra stick of RAM is being used and you can use more than 12GB of RAM if needed.

When you switch over to Ivy Birdge, as it has been mentioned the four sticks will run properly all in dual channel mode (ie the best Ivy Bridge supports).
 
cmndr_andi said:
Also, if you install four RAM sticks (say 4x4GB) into a triple channel motherboard then for the first 12GB the memory speed will be the full triple channel bandwidth, however for the last 4GB the bandwidth will only be single channel.

Practically, you probably won't notice the difference and it means the extra stick of RAM is being used and you can use more than 12GB of RAM if needed.

When you switch over to Ivy Birdge, as it has been mentioned the four sticks will run properly all in dual channel mode (ie the best Ivy Bridge supports).
Click to expand...

I imagine that 12GB would be ample, but I will put in all 16GB unless someone tells me that it would be a bad idea.

Thanks again for the advice.
 
One more thing.....do I need to worry about voltages?

I believe my current RAM is at 1.65V. Do I need to check what voltage range my current motherboard requires, as new (ivybridge) RAM is ~1.5V.

OR do I require RAM that can operate at both 1.65V (for now) and 1.5V for future.

Thanks,

Novice.
 
cmndr_andi said:
Also, if you install four RAM sticks (say 4x4GB) into a triple channel motherboard then for the first 12GB the memory speed will be the full triple channel bandwidth, however for the last 4GB the bandwidth will only be single channel.

Practically, you probably won't notice the difference and it means the extra stick of RAM is being used and you can use more than 12GB of RAM if needed.
Click to expand...

This is wrong! x58 uses memory interleaving, it means the ram gets treated like a striped raid array, you still get the triple channel benefit for all your ram even if you use 4 sticks although you may have to check your manual to see the correct order they need to be installed in.
 
Just installed a Corsair Vengeance 12GB (3x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz Tri Channel, cpu at 4.2GHz memory at 9-9-9-24-2 1.5V no problems, but can run at 1.6V if need be.
 
Seirrah said:
One more thing.....do I need to worry about voltages?

I believe my current RAM is at 1.65V. Do I need to check what voltage range my current motherboard requires, as new (ivybridge) RAM is ~1.5V.

OR do I require RAM that can operate at both 1.65V (for now) and 1.5V for future.

Thanks,

Novice.
Click to expand...


1.65v ram is fine on IB and SB, intel state this.
 
horrorwood said:
1.65v ram is fine on IB and SB, intel state this.
Click to expand...

And OcUK state this:

***OVERCLOCKING GUIDELINES***

- Do not exceed 1.425v core voltage, doing so could limit lifespan of the CPU
- Aim to keep temperatures below 70c underload if at all possible
- Do not overclock with BCLK, again doing so could limit lifespan of the CPU
- Recommended memory voltage is 1.50v, so make sure to run your memory at 1.50v, higher than 1.60v could limit lifespan of the CPU
- These recommendations come from OcUK and Intel, your warranty is un-affected but we highly recommend you adhere to the above to make sure your CPU lifespan is un-affected
- All Sandybridge CPU's worldwide should be run at the above or lower voltages, no higher!
Click to expand...

Seirrah, and anyone else, is free to take that on board or not.
 
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