silly memory question

magpie1966 · 29 Jul 2016 at 10:56

if i bought a dual memory kit twice

is that the same as a quad kit?

or is it better to buy a quad kit ?

sorry if this seems a dumb question

JanxSpirit · 29 Jul 2016 at 10:59

Not quite. Slightly, but it shouldn't make any difference in reality on stock voltage and stock timings.

RJC · 29 Jul 2016 at 11:04

Quad and dual channel sticks are usually matched sets, but on the odd occasion buying two packs of dual memory can work out cheaper due to offers.

The memory controller on the CPU will determine how the memory will run.

magpie1966 · 29 Jul 2016 at 11:46

so it should be ok if i get two of the same kits ?

Borealis · 29 Jul 2016 at 11:55

It should be OK as long as they're the same kit.

Armageus · 29 Jul 2016 at 12:00

magpie1966 said:
if i bought a dual memory kit twice

is that the same as a quad kit?

or is it better to buy a quad kit ?

sorry if this seems a dumb question

Not a dumb question - as others have said it shouldn't make a difference.

99% of the time it would even be fine to buy 4 individual sticks of the same memory rather than a kit.

The only thing a kit guarantees is that all modules are exactly the same batch / revision (e.g. if a manufacturer had 2 different factories producing the same product, depending on availability they may use slightly different components etc) and so are 100% guaranteed to work together.

magpie1966 · 29 Jul 2016 at 12:08

thanks for the response it is appreciated,

so if i was to get a 6700k , and i wanted 32Gb of memory should i go 2 x 16Gb Dual,

or 4 x8 quad, i used to know in the old days 1t was better than 2 t timings etc.

I'll be running sli if that makes any difference.

thanks again for peoples input

Armageus · 29 Jul 2016 at 12:19

magpie1966 said:
thanks for the response it is appreciated,

so if i was to get a 6700k , and i wanted 32Gb of memory should i go 2 x 16Gb Dual,

or 4 x8 quad, i used to know in the old days 1t was better than 2 t timings etc.

I'll be running sli if that makes any difference.

thanks again for peoples input

The best option would be a 32GB kit of 2x16GB Sticks e.g. the first option below (this would leave you with 2 slots free for a possible upgrade down the line if needed) e.g. :

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Team Group Elite 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 PC4-19200C16 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (TPKD432G2400HC16D= £89.99
1 x Team Group Elite 32GB (4x8GB) DDR4 PC4-19200C16 2400MHz Quad Channel Kit - Black (TPKD432GM2400HC16Q= £139.99
2 x Team Group Elite 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-19200C16 2400MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black (TPKD416GM2400HC16D= £59.99

Total: £359.86
(includes shipping: £9.90)

2 Dual channel kits of 2x8GB, for a total of 32GB would work out ~£20 cheaper than a Quad kit, but both are more expensive than buying the 32GB Dual channel kit anyway.

magpie1966 · 29 Jul 2016 at 13:11

thanks, it's for gaming should i not go for the highest speed I can?

Just something i seen on another thread.

cheers

Armageus · 29 Jul 2016 at 13:16

magpie1966 said:
thanks, it's for gaming should i not go for the highest speed I can?

Just something i seen on another thread.

cheers

It can make some difference, but most of the time it is very minimal - arguably go for brand / appearance first, then decide whether the price difference is worth it to you for ~5% improvement at best from faster memory.

ttaskmaster · 29 Jul 2016 at 13:30

I had to RMA my two matched sets of 2x4GB, as they didn't work on my quad-channel X79 board - A known issue, with free RMA replacement service.
The Mfr sent me the new version as four individually packaged 4GB sticks, but they work fine in my new quad-channel board...