Which is better ? 2X4 or Single 8

[MrNeil]

Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz or Corsair Vengeance LP 8 GB Memory - DIMM 240-pin - 1600 MHz

I already have the sport one in my system but is the single 8 gig Vengeance one better ?
I got it for my boy's new motherboard a Asus M5 A78L-M USB3 .

Cheers

[MrJim]

Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz or Corsair Vengeance LP 8 GB Memory - DIMM 240-pin - 1600 MHz

I already have the sport one in my system but is the single 8 gig Vengeance one better ?
I got it for my boy's new motherboard a Asus M5 A78L-M USB3 .

Cheers

Assuming the DIMMs are running at the same frequency & latency, two DIMMs should be better, because it makes use of the dual-channel memory controller (2 x 64bit). Whether you'd actually notice the difference though depends on the software you're running, & how sensitive it is to memory bandwidth.

[azrael-]

As Jimbobgod1969 said having memory installed in pairs is best on most modern systems because the CPU can access the memory in dual channel mode. It's measurably faster, but not necessarily noticably faster. Given the choice I'd always choose a kit of two over a single stick of memory.

You might get another of those Corsair modules, though, and give your 2x4 Crucial to junior.

[Agent]

It's measurably faster, but not necessarily noticably faster.

This really is the key point here. You're looking at around ~5% difference in general things (Video encoding is around that for example), where you can measure a raw value easily.

Day to day though, you're unlikely to notice it.

I prefer one stick due to the upgrade path - wack in another 8GB when the price is right / second hand and you then have dual channel again. Single, larger sticks also seem to retain their value more when it comes to resale, although it's not going to make you rich

edit - as for gaming: http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/1fcs77/
Very little difference, if any, as long as you're not using a GPU on the CPU. Those things love any increase in memory related performance.

[MrNeil]

That was my thinking as well !
I would get a second vengeance for myself but im blown out with a big minus ... But my boy deserves it Next upgrade will be his cpu as its a X3 450 which still ok for his Arma 2 .BF3 and BF4 which reaches 90% usage on medium settings and froze due to memory reaching its limit... Better for the DDR3 route than to spend on high priced DDR2 .

Cheers

[azrael-]

I hope your boy appreciates what his dad is doing for him.

[Bonebreaker777]

I hope your boy appreciates what his dad is doing for him.

In this age what are the chances ... not dissing the boy but characterizing his generation unfortunately.

About the memory, second hand is always a option if budget is tight.

[Brian224]

In this age what are the chances ... not dissing the boy but characterizing his generation unfortunately.

About the memory, second hand is always a option if budget is tight.

I bought my 11-year old the parts to build his first PC. He has grown up now and is working for a games studio (he hasn't grown up that much). I know he has told his colleagues how grateful he is for the start even if he would never tell me. What goes around comes around as I now use his cast-off components

Agree 100% on 2nd-hand memory, especially if your motherboard cannot support the highest speeds. Probably the safest 2nd-hand purchase as not many people OC it but instead buy high-performance memory because it doesn't cost much more and looks good.

[MrNeil]

The board and memory i got dirt cheap but now i have another snag !! All was well with the old hardware when playing BF4 Beta but now with the full game the X3 450 cpu freezes when entering any game !! I checked it out and the core really go on full wack So will try to ask in the classified for a AMD quad or above

[Bonebreaker777]

The board and memory i got dirt cheap but now i have another snag !! All was well with the old hardware when playing BF4 Beta but now with the full game the X3 450 cpu freezes when entering any game !! I checked it out and the core really go on full wack So will try to ask in the classified for a AMD quad or above

Or eBay if you are rather on short time.

EDIT: a quick glance on eBay revealed that Phenom II x4 go around £45-£80 buy-it-now, while Phenom II x6 go for £75-£150 (auction may cost you less just don't bid more for a model what you would pay in buy-it-now format).
Less equipped models may go for less, I haven't checked.
Unlocking that 4th core is not a option or it is an already tried and failed venture?

[Agent]

2x4g is better as it;s dual-channel config.

Stop ignoring what's been said in the thread and bumping ones that have been adequately answered!

[kalniel]

what else can I say? Dual-channel is indeed outperform single channel.

Agent is trying to help you - short replies that look like they're not adding anything because it's an old thread or the OPs question has already been answered are unlikely to be considered 'contributing' posts in respect to being an active Hexus member and all the perks that are available as a result.

[Little_Dud]

Sorry to re-open this thread, but I wanted to ask if the same logic applies when comparing 2x8GB with 4x4GB?

[Jonj1611]

Yes ..

[Bonebreaker777]

Sorry to re-open this thread, but I wanted to ask if the same logic applies when comparing 2x8GB with 4x4GB?

Well, pretty much unless a quad-channel memory controller is available but the benefits are even less that in the case of single channel vs dual channel.

[Little_Dud]

Yeah, it will be for a dual channel CPU/mobo. I just wondered about the benefits of 1 DIMM per channel over 2 DIMMs, other than the obvious expandability.