Is it better to have 2 sticks of 16gb RAM or 4 sticks of 8gb RAM? (2024)

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Is it better to have 2 sticks of 16gb RAM or 4 sticks of 8gb RAM?

It depends on the motherboard. If the motherboard only support dual channel

dual channel
Dual-channel architecture is a technology implemented on motherboards by the motherboard manufacturer and does not apply to memory modules. Theoretically any matched pair of memory modules may be used in either single- or dual-channel operation, provided the motherboard supports this architecture.
https://en.wikipedia.org › Multi-channel_memory_architecture
the difference would be negligible, but if its a quad channel board then 4 sticks would be the fastest. Four sticks gives you the option to use them in quad-channel mode if you have a motherboard that supports it.

(Video) Dual vs Quad Rank RAM — 2 DIMMs vs 4 DIMMs — Which Is Better?
(Byte Size Tech)
Is it better to have 4 sticks of 8 or 2 sticks of 16 RAM?

2 Sticks of RAM are generally less expensive than 4 Sticks. It's easier to push higher memory speeds and lower CAS latencies with fewer sticks. Dual Channel support is a guarantee; Quad Channel support is not. You can add more Modules at a later date if you find you need higher RAM capacity (read this first)

(Video) Things To Know Before Buying 4 Stick of RAM
(Hardware For Gamers)
Is it better to get 2 16GB RAM or 4 8GB RAM?

4x 8GB works best for a quad channel motherboard, for the usual PC build, 2x 16GB is preferred.

(Video) 1x16GB vs 2x8GB vs 4x4GB RAM in 2022 | Single vs Dual Channel | 1080P, 1440p and 4K Tests
(Ancient Gameplays)
Is it better to run 4 sticks of RAM or 2?

If your CPU supports quad channel memory, then 4 sticks of RAM could be slightly better than 2 sticks. However, if your CPU only supports dual channel memory, then 4 sticks won't be any better, and could even slow your system down.

(Video) How do I upgrade from 2 sticks of RAM to 4? - Probing Paul #50
(Paul's Hardware)
Is it OK to have 4 sticks of 8GB RAM?

Absolutely. It is more RAM. More RAM means more applications open/more complex tasks at once. But if the 4 sticks add up tot the same capacity as just 2, there will still be improvements on some motherboards that may allow for more than two RAM channels to be utilised, which results in faster RAM speeds.

(Video) Just How Bad is Mixing Memory?
(Linus Tech Tips)
Is 32 GB RAM overkill?

That extra processing power will help reduce the risk of stuttering, and other performance related issues. On the whole, 32GB of RAM isn't overkill for gaming if you want to play in higher resolutions, or if you can afford to future-proof your gaming set-up.

(Video) AMD Ryzen: 4 vs. 2 Sticks of RAM on R5 5600X for Up to 10% Better Performance
(Gamers Nexus)
Do you need all 4 sticks of RAM?

"You Must Use an Equal Number of RAM Sticks"

The final myth is that you must always use an equal number of RAM sticks. Like the first section on different sizes, you don't have to use two or four, or six RAM sticks. No, you can use one stick of RAM—hence why manufacturers make and retail single sticks of RAM.

(Video) 4 Sticks vs 2 Sticks of ram BENCHMARKED
(Frame Chasers)
Is it worth paying extra for 16GB RAM?

16GB of RAM is considered the 'sweet spot. ' It allows for solid game playing, high-intensity work with computer programs, and gives you a fair amount of memory. If you want to be a serious gamer, 16Gb might be your ideal setup.

(Video) 4x4GB vs. 2x8GB, Intel & AMD Dual-Channel Gaming Benchmark
(Hardware Unboxed)
Does 4 8GB RAM make a difference?

The 4GB RAM performs excellently only on extremely low-budget devices and tablets; it is not suitable for gaming. 8GB RAM is ideal for entry-level notebooks without heavy gaming or RAM-heavy activities. The modern games are heavy on RAM and consume up to 6.6GB of RAM, minimum.

(Video) *2 Sticks vs 4 Sticks* How many sticks of RAM do you need?
(Hardly Tech)
Does 16GB RAM make a big difference?

16GB is the recommended amount of RAM for playing most games and will provide a noticeable increase in performance from 8GB. You will also be able to run applications in the background without affecting gameplay.

(Video) Ryzen 4 vs. 2 sticks RAM
(Odin Hardware)

Is 4 sticks of 16GB RAM better than 2 32GB?

In general, 2 or 4 sticks don't make much difference - if the specifications of RAM and motherboard are the same either way.

(Video) Will More RAM Make your PC Faster?? (2020)
(Linus Tech Tips)
Should I put my RAM in 1 and 3 or 2 and 4?

So if you put memory in slots 1/3, the traces from slots 2/4 introduce very minor electrical interference from not being terminated. Put it in slots 2/4 and the traces end at the memory modules and terminate. It's easier for the memory controller.

Is it better to have 2 sticks of 16gb RAM or 4 sticks of 8gb RAM? (2024)
Is 64 gigs of RAM overkill?

Is 64/128 GB of RAM Overkill? For the majority of users, it is. If you plan on building a PC purely for gaming and some general, basic, everyday activity, 64 GB of RAM is just too much. The amount of RAM you need will ultimately depend on your workload.

Is 32 GB RAM a lot?

32GB of RAM is considered high and is generally overkill for most users. For most everyday use and basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 8GB of RAM is more than enough. Even for gaming or video editing, 16GB is typically sufficient.

Is 4 gigs of RAM worth it?

Is 4GB of RAM enough? 4GB of RAM is the bare minimum memory needed to run a base computer model. That said, the bare minimum may not provide a productive use of your time as your system will likely slow down every time you run two or more programs like internet browsing, email and some word processing simultaneously.

Is 4 sticks of RAM slower?

4 sticks of RAM will not be slower than 2. However, they will cost more and may not provide enough of a performance boost to justify the additional expenditure. Additionally, 4 sticks of RAM will take up more slots on your motherboard, blocking room for further upgrades.

Is 1 TB RAM overkill?

On most systems, RAM is one of the worst limiting factors when running virtual machines. With 1TB of RAM, this is no longer a concern. That much RAM lets you spin up dozens of virtual systems without impacting overall system performance.

Does RAM improve FPS?

RAM will boost your system's responsiveness, load the game faster, and improve frame rates. The exact amount of memory that you will need for gaming will be determined by the type of games you want to play and if you need to use any other applications at the same time.

Is 8GB RAM enough for next 5 years?

One of the most common questions we get asked is “how do I know if my computer needs more memory?” The answer is actually pretty simple. If you're using a PC that was released in the last five years or so, chances are it comes with 8GB of RAM – which is more than enough for most people.

Which RAM slots to fill first?

If you are installing memory in a dual-channel memory motherboard, install memory modules in pairs, filling the lowest numbered slots first. For example, if the motherboard has two slots each for channel A and channel B, numbered 0 and 1, fill the slots for channel A slot 0 and channel B slot 0 first.

Which slots should I put my RAM in?

If you have a single RAM stick, its position is usually the A2 slot. If you have two RAM sticks, you should use the A2 & B2 or 2 & 4 positioning, meaning the slot which is furthest away from the CPU socket and the other that's one position away from it.

Is DDR4 better than DDR5?

Compared to DDR4, DDR5 RAM kits have a higher base speed, support higher-capacity DIMM modules (also called RAM sticks), and consume less power for the same performance specs as the previous generation. However, DDR4 still holds some key advantages, like overall lower latency and better stability.

Is there a lot of difference between 8GB and 16GB RAM?

The increased capacity that 16GB of RAM provides over 8GB makes it the clear winner. 8GB of RAM may be suitable for basic functions, but it quickly seizes up when multiple programs try to operate at the same time. You might not always need 16GB of RAM but you'll be happy to have it when push comes to shove.

Should I get 8GB or 16GB unified memory?

So if you use more demanding software or do photo editing, occasional video work, and other activities, then it's best to pay extra for the 16GB memory option. For everyday activities — browsing the web, managing emails, or working with an office suite — 8GB is perfectly adequate.

Does 8GB to 16GB RAM make a difference?

To be honest, there's not a lot of difference between 8GB and 16 GB of RAM. If you're doing office work and more basic games, then you really won't notice a massive difference between the two. However, if you're wanting to do video editing, play the very latest high-end games you'll definitely need more…

What is the advantage of 4 GB RAM?

With 4 GB of RAM, you have enough memory to run a few lightweight programs at a time. You can open a handful of browser tabs, do basic image or video editing, play low-spec games, and stream music or videos online.

Is 8GB RAM enough for Windows 11?

Is 8GB RAM enough for Windows 11? Windows 11 RAM requirement is 4GB. 8GB RAM can run Windows 11 and some other basic software. But if you want to run some productive software, 8GB is not enough.

Is it better to have 2 16gb or 4 8GB RAM reddit?

Except in VERY rare situations, you're almost always better off with 2x16GB.

Does bigger RAM mean more speed?

Understanding RAM

Generally, the more RAM your computer has, the larger the digital countertop you have to work on and the faster your programs will run.

Is more than 16 GB RAM overkill?

For the vast majority of gamers, 16GB is enough. However, if you plan on streaming or running multiple applications while your games are running — OBS Studio, a web browser, etc. — 32GB will give you a little more room.

How much faster is 16GB RAM than 8GB?

The amount of RAM just determines how many programs you can simultaneously run (multitask) not the actual speed within those programs. That is dependent on frequency and timings. While 8GB higher frequency RAM will be faster than 16GB low frequency RAM, it also limits the amount of programs you can simultaneously use.

Is it better to have 1 stick of 16GB or 2 8GB?

Conclusion. Dual-channel memory is better than single-channel memory. Two 8GB RAM is better than one 16G RAM.

Is it better to have one large RAM stick or two?

The advantages of running two or four lower capacity memory sticks in dual or quad channel configuration (again, not all CPU/motherboards support quad channel memory) is that they will provide the same capacity as a larger single stick of memory, while at the same time doubling and quadrupling the amount of memory ...

Does RAM speed matter?

The CPU will inevitably ask the RAM for some data, and when that happens, the RAM becomes the bottleneck, so in theory, faster RAM means better performance.

Should you upgrade RAM in pairs?

A common misconception about RAM is that you can put any RAM into any slot. You can do that, but it won't work, or it will work ineffectively. If you have four RAM slots, always buy matched pairs of RAM (two sticks from the same company, same speed, and same capacity) for the best results.

Is it OK to mix RAM kits?

Can You Mix Different RAM Brands? In short, the answer to this question is: yes. No matter the brand, speed, and size of the RAM, theoretically, you can mix and match RAM in your system, though it may prove to be problematic.

What happens if you have too much RAM?

Adding too much RAM will eventually jeopardize the computer's performance, even when you have enough of it. The additional RAM will start applying the law of diminishing returns at a certain point, meaning you won't get much value from it.

What RAM usage is too high?

At the Process tab, check the usage state of CPU, Memory, and Disk. If the Memory column displays 70%, 80%, 90%, or 99% used as the two figures shown below, it's a "High Memory Usage" issue.

Is 32GB RAM faster than 16GB?

The more RAM your PC or laptop has, the better its performance. Ram comes in 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB. 32 GB will make your computer run faster, however, it's going to be more expensive than 16GB.

How long will 16GB RAM last?

If you run virtual machines or other stuff in the background, it's more an issue, but for most games, running the game only, 16gb is fine till you need a new computer. It might even still be fine for the next 2 computers honestly.

How much RAM does Windows 11 need to run smoothly?

Memory: 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater. Storage: 64 GB or greater available disk space. There might be more storage requirements over time for updates, and to enable specific features within the OS. For more information, see Windows 11 specifications.

Is DDR5 overkill for gaming?

DDR5 vs DDR4 Gaming Performance

Modern processors and memory are more than sufficient for gaming, and the graphics card is the bottleneck in most cases. The DDR5 results clearly showed that. The performance difference in gaming between the two extremes (DDR4-2133 C15 and DDR5-6400 C36) was only around 8%.

Does having 4 RAM increase FPS?

On the flip side, if you have a low amount of memory (say, 4GB-8GB), adding more RAM will increase your FPS in games that utilize more RAM than you previously had.

What is the highest RAM size for a PC?

Remember that 64-bit Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education will support up to 2TB of RAM, while the 64-bit version of Windows 10 Home is limited to only 128GB. Bear in mind that how much RAM your system supports, along with the type and speed, will depend on your motherboard.

How many GB RAM is better?

We recommend 4BG for casual internet browsing and emails, at least 8GB for intermediate people using spreadsheets and flash games, then at least 32GB for gamers. Not enough RAM will slow your computer.

Is it better to go 2 sticks of RAM or 4?

It is generally better to use 2 sticks of RAM instead of 4, assuming you are comparing two configurations with the same total amount of RAM. The reason for this is that using 2 sticks allows for dual-channel memory, which can provide a significant performance boost compared to single-channel memory.

What RAM slots do I need for 4 sticks?

If you have three RAM sticks, you should use the three slots furthest away from the CPU socket. If you have four RAM sticks and a four-slot motherboard, then you can just populate all four slots with all four RAM sticks.

Can I mix RAM sizes?

Most laptops or computers come with at least two slots for RAM sticks, if not more. Most modern motherboards will provide four RAM slots. There's a prevailing misconception you cannot use different RAM sizes together or that you cannot mix RAM brands. Simply put, that's not true.

Is it better to have 2 16GB or 4 8GB RAM reddit?

Except in VERY rare situations, you're almost always better off with 2x16GB.

Is 4x8GB worse than 2x16GB?

You won't get any extra performance from running 4x8GB instead of 2x16GB since your RAM will run in dual channel either way. It's honestly your choice if you want better upgradability or better aesthetics.

Is it better to have 2 sticks of 8GB or 1 16GB?

Always go with a matching pair. 2 8GB sticks will yield roughly 25% more performance over a comparable 16GB stick. Dual channel is always going to be better than single. You will absolutely notice the difference in pretty much all applications that use more than 2GB of memory, which these days is pretty much anything.

Is 64 GB RAM overkill?

Is 64/128 GB of RAM Overkill? For the majority of users, it is. If you plan on building a PC purely for gaming and some general, basic, everyday activity, 64 GB of RAM is just too much. The amount of RAM you need will ultimately depend on your workload.

Is there a big difference between 8GB RAM and 16GB?

To be honest, there's not a lot of difference between 8GB and 16 GB of RAM. If you're doing office work and more basic games, then you really won't notice a massive difference between the two. However, if you're wanting to do video editing, play the very latest high-end games you'll definitely need more…

What is the best slot for RAM?

If you have a single RAM stick, its position is usually the A2 slot. If you have two RAM sticks, you should use the A2 & B2 or 2 & 4 positioning, meaning the slot which is furthest away from the CPU socket and the other that's one position away from it.

Does more RAM sticks mean better?

In some instances, more RAM makes better sense. In other cases, you will see better results going with a higher frequency and less latency. You may also notice a difference depending on which operating system you run. Switching from one to another may be all the upgrade your computer needs.

Should I get 2 32GB RAM or 4 16GB?

You should probably get 2x32GB. Assuming the memory frequency, latency and rank configuration are the same, these setups will give the same performance, but 2x32GB is likely to be more stable for overclocking, and gives you the option to upgrade to 4x32GB in the future.

How much RAM do I really need?

How much RAM do you need? Generally, we recommend 8GB of RAM for casual computer usage and internet browsing, 16GB for spreadsheets and other office programs, and at least 32GB for gamers and multimedia creators. How you use your computer influences how much RAM you need, so use this as a guideline.

Is 2 32GB RAM better than 4 16GB?

2 x 32GB should be better as it gives you the option of upgrading to 128GB in the future if you'd like. 4 x 16GB would not give you that option. As others have said, Intel consumer CPUs use dual channel memory, so 2 modules or 4 modules will perform exactly the same.

Who needs 32GB RAM?

However, there are specific use cases where 32GB of RAM might be beneficial. For example, if you are running multiple demanding programs simultaneously or working with large files or data sets, having 32GB of RAM can help ensure that your computer can handle the workload without slowing down.

Is 16GB RAM enough for Windows 11?

For Windows 11 itself, yes 16GB is fine. The minimum RAM size is 4GB, according to the system requirements for Windows 11.

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