Dual channel DDR3

[tRoN]

Hi Guys. Need some advice on this cold weekend.

I have an older LGA1155 mobo.
I need to upgrade the RAM to 8 gig for a software upgrade.
It has dual channel DDR 1333 support.

Questions

1. Is better to use 2x4 or 1x8
2. If 2x4 then do I need the special 2 stick boxed ram? Or does it make no difference if I just buy 2 identical brand sticks.
3. If I use a 1600 module will it be backwards compatible?

Thanks in advance.


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[HavocXphere]

2x4 will be faster.

They need to be 100% identical.

 

[Mr Scratch]

2x4 will be faster.

They need to be 100% identical.

Speed difference will be negligible, won't it?

 

[HavocXphere]

Speed difference will be negligible, won't it?

Results are all over the place.

Some people claim near zero.

Here is a set of tests with massive diff: http://nucblog.net/2015/09/dual-channel-vs-single-channel-does-it-matter/

I seem to recall 5% diff when I tested it myself a couple years back

 

[tRoN]

They need to be 100% identical.

So does it have to be those purpose made boxed as a pair

 

[HavocXphere]

So does it have to be those purpose made boxed as a pair

Does not have to be, but it's more sure that way

 

[ponder]

Hi Guys. Need some advice on this cold weekend.

I have an older LGA1155 mobo.
I need to upgrade the RAM to 8 gig for a software upgrade.
It has dual channel DDR 1333 support.

Questions

1. Is better to use 2x4 or 1x8
2. If 2x4 then do I need the special 2 stick boxed ram? Or does it make no difference if I just buy 2 identical brand sticks.
3. If I use a 1600 module will it be backwards compatible?

1. Depends
2. Just buy what is cheapest, my own ram was purchased as 2 single sticks as it worked out cheaper that way.
3. Should be as it will simply be downclocked to 1333.

 

[sajunky]

+1 to ponder

As long you don't give details of the mobo and existing RAM, very generic rules apply.
Do you upgrade from a single 4GB stick? You only need to match the following to get dual channel operation:
- size,
- ranks number (one or two)

It doesn't need exact match of brand nor a product code. 1600 module also has SPD data entry how to run with 1333 speed. Timing will be adjusted to the slower module.