4x2 3000mhz or 2x8 2133mhz

[Kye_smithh]

Would like to know which one is better for gaming, not really clued up about ram

[Nasing Speshal]

Would like to know which one is better for gaming, not really clued up about ram

More important for gaming is your CPU and GPU. When it comes to a RAM, it is important to have enough of it (for a modern build 8gb at least).
3000mhz is faster than 2133mhz but 4 sticks will draw more power. What happens if you want to upgrade amount of the RAM in the future, if you choose 4x2 3000mhz, will it be possible for you to just add more memory modules? Is there a price difference between your two choices?

[Bonebreaker777]

Agree, would go for the 2 x 8GB option too for now. Plus 4 x 2GB, like really? Forget about the higher overall bandwidth (quad channel 3Ghz vs dual channel 2.1Ghz).

What's the price difference?

2 x 4GB 3Ghz > £55(ish) x 2 = £110 for 16GB of RAM (quick search results)

2 x 8GB 2.1Ghz > £85(ish) for 16GB of RAM (quick search results)

[ik9000]

If you're going to get multiple sticks make sure they're paired. You will do better (more stable) with a matched set of 4 than just a random set of 2 pairs. In theory while you'd put the pairs in dual channels and the BIOS XMP settings should adjust the two separately the set of 4 should be better. If you have a quad-channel system all the more so. However if you can use fewer sticks to start with then even better. Should fair better, and easier to upgrade in future without hainvg to ditch the old sticks.

[i7Baby]

Its not just the speed you should look at; it's also the CAS.

[ik9000]

Its not just the speed you should look at; it's also the CAS.

CAS makes negligible difference to overall performance (but you're right to make sure the RAM sets CAS match to start with). But paying extra for lower latency hasn't really mattered since DDR3 1600. The incremental improvement in performance is usually not worth the uplift in cost. Anandtech did a good article on it a few years back.

[i7Baby]

Good explanation at http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/29...-latency-speed

[Numpti]

I think it's generally better to go 2 sticks vs 4 sticks, if your'e motherboard is dual channel. It also allows the option if you want to upgrade in the future. Also if you overclock your RAM it is less strain on the memory controller of the CPU with fewer sticks.

[ik9000]

Numpti, this thread is a year old. While I suppose it's possible the OP might have waited to see if RAM prices dropped, (unlucky if they did as they haven't at all) it hardly seems worth the thread resurrection to re-state what other posts already mention. You can find current threads under the "today's posts" tab.