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1 x 8GB of RAM or 2 x 4GB?

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New_Be Posted messages 2 Status Member -  
 16GoRAM -
Hello,

I'm going to buy my first computer to assemble myself (I'm going to get Ubuntu) and I'm facing new questions:

The motherboard I'm going to buy, ASRock FM2A78M-DG3+ (AMD A4-5300 3.4 GHz processor), has "dual channel".
https://www.ldlc.com/fiche/PB00165779.html
For the curious, here is my complete config: https://www.ldlc.com/
I will be given a case and fans...

- So I'm wondering if I should get 1 stick of 8GB or if 2 sticks of 4GB will be more performant thanks to "dual channel"?

- I believe I understood that you need 2 identical sticks for dual channel. What will happen if I put one 8GB stick and another completely different 2GB stick? There will be no dual channel, but will the computer still work with 10GB of RAM?

Thanks in advance for your insights :o)

6 answers

  1. Anonymous user
     
    Hi

    No need to overthink it, just put in 2x 4GB, you'll have dual-channel and more than enough RAM for what your setup can handle.

    --
    Before asking a question: 1° Turn on your brain, your PC doesn't think for you!
    2° Google is your friend, and the search engine on CCM too, do a search!
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    1. 16GoRAM
       
      Good evening, It is clear that it is better to go directly with 2 times 4 GB, since you will be able to take advantage of dual channel right away and thus make the most of your motherboard's resources. I understand your desire not to invest more than in a single 8 GB stick, to keep some room for future upgrades at a low cost. However, the rule of "twice as much, twice as fast" no longer holds true after a certain level of resources. The computing technology has been on a significant plateau for the past 2 to 3 years, thus the engraving fineness hasn't changed for a while, and if we look at Intel which doubles the number of chips per processor, while halving the frequency to avoid exploding power consumption, added to the merger of AMD and Intel to design the best chips… 3 to 4 years ago, 4 GB of RAM (2 times 2 GB) was needed for a PC to run perfectly. If we anticipated large with 2 times 4 GB, by envisioning chips and motherboards that would allow us to utilize them, I guarantee that with 2 times 4 GB of RAM you will still be good for years to come. Have you noticed your RAM consumption in real-time with Ctrl-Alt-Delete + performance tab? It's already rare to see consumption go beyond 4 GB.
      0
  2. Anonymous user
     
    Hello,

    the purpose of dual channel operation is simple (technical):

    the read and write speed on a single 8 GB stick is lower than on two 4 GB sticks!

    what is your total budget to build this PC?

    do you already have any components from your old PC?

    --
    O.o°* ??? Breathe deeply, write your message in proper French and clearly. It's going to be okay, you'll see, well we're trying!!! o°.Oø¤º°'°º¤ø</ital>
    4
  3. noctambule28 Posted messages 25275 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   2 875
     
    Good evening,

    Upon reading a private message you sent to a participant, and the tone of your comments, I am closing this matter.

    Wishing you all the best

    --
    ____________________________________________
    Humor is the keystone of consciousness.
    1
  4. New_Be Posted messages 2 Status Member 1
     
    My questions are of a financial and evolutionary nature, let me explain:
    I am looking to spend as little as possible (8GB without dual channel is already a lot for my usage), but I might consider buying another stick one day (hence the desire to only get one stick to leave one slot free).

    Otherwise, 1 stick of 8GB provides 8GB of "power," how much of this power do 2 sticks of 4GB in dual channel provide?
    Is it really much more?
    0
    1. Anonymous user
       
      The day you need more than 8GB of RAM, you'll have to change your PC anyway ;-) That's why 2x 4GB is just fine.
      0
    2. New_Be Posted messages 2 Status Member 1
       
      My motherboard supports up to 32 GB ...
      What should I change in my computer? The processor?
      0
    3. New_Be Posted messages 2 Status Member 1
       
      I haven't bought the PC yet, so your advice and insights will be valuable :o)
      My curiosity leads me to ask you again the effective difference between 2x4Go and 8Go in terms of power or hertz, I have no idea, please teach me how to fish.
      0
    4. Anonymous user
       
      Let's keep it brief, given the processors you can use on FM2, you will NEVER need more than 8GB of RAM.

      So take 2 sticks of 4GB, and the day you regularly hit 8GB of RAM, come tell us, because with an A4-5300 dual-core, I would have started with 4GB to see ^^
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  6. cash29200 Posted messages 838 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   102
     
    Hello,

    For the dual channel, here is the explanation from Wikipedia:

    Some memory controllers use a dual channel (in English Dual Channel) or even quad channel for memory. This involves using memory modules in pairs to combine the bandwidth and thus maximize the system's capabilities by doubling or quadrupling the effective bandwidth. It is essential, when using Dual Channel, to use identical sticks in pairs (frequency, capacity, and preferably from the same brand) to optimize performance and allow the memory controller to interleave accesses without issues.

    It is highly recommended to use 2 x 4 GB rather than 1 x 8 as Scarface72 told you, and more than 8 GB if you are not doing heavy video editing or using 3D architecture software; it’s pointless to have more than 8 GB.

    --
    Why Cash - not all truths are meant to be told, and I say everything, but EVERYTHING!!! "Technically speaking, of course!!! :-)
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    1. New_Be Posted messages 2 Status Member 1
       
      Thank you, but the reason I signed up here is that I already know Wikipedia...
      What’s the point of having the "how it works" forum if the answer is "go look it up on Google"? (Please, use some logic).

      I did my research on Google, which directed me to the UBUNTU forum especially, so I will take only one 8GB stick for many reasons:
      - The world of computing evolves very quickly, maybe in 2 years there will be resource-intensive software?
      - Indeed, you don’t know what I will do with my setup; 8GB is enough (I have been generous) so I don’t need "dual channel" (the advantage of 2 sticks of 4GB).
      - THE PRICE: if I need to go to 16GB, I will have to buy one 8GB stick (€80)... If I had 2 sticks of 4GB, I would have to buy 2 sticks of 8GB (€170) and I would be stuck with the old ones.

      The only real positive point I noted for choosing 2 sticks is that if one "dies," the other remains. Personally, I have never had this problem with any of my computers.

      Nevertheless, I will close this discussion with even more doubts than before because Scarface69 made me understand that my computer (which I haven’t bought yet) with a motherboard supporting 32GB will be obsolete when I want to install 16GB... Well, now I'm really confused (I came here to be sure before buying, but now I really don't know anymore)...
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    2. cash29200 Posted messages 838 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   102
       
      So I don't see what you're looking for here, if as you say thank you but if I registered here it's because I already know Wikipedia... it's quite simple, you don't need to graduate from Saint-Cyr to understand, but what do you want to learn more?

      Everyone advises you two sticks rather than one, but if you had already made the choice to take one stick, I don't see what more can be done.

      You come with your ideas and you don't want anyone to provide you with other answers?

      What's the point of the "howitworks" forum if we are told "go look on Google"?? (please have some logic)

      The forum is not meant to demonstrate whether Google is right or wrong, nor Wikipedia, the forum is meant to help those who want help. Not to counter their beliefs.

      Look at the footer of Scarface72 and you'll understand everything :)
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    3. New_Be Posted messages 2 Status Member 1
       
      Everyone responds to me with 2 bars??? FALSE
      There are 2 of you on this site... The rest you don't know anything about...
      You have way too many preconceived notions and even some arrogance... I might unsubscribe from this forum if in my next messages it's people like you who respond.
      0
    4. Chris 94 Posted messages 1937 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   7 536
       
      Hi,

      Basically, you ask questions so you know the answers since you reproach the volunteers who try to help you for responding with anything other than what you want to hear... If they were employees, maybe (not sure) they would be terrified by your "threat"; in this case, they just feel like they're wasting their time without the proper recognition they deserve.

      Check your DMs and don’t forget to reread 
      >  the manual  <
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  7. New_Be Posted messages 2 Status Member 1
     
    My questions always seem unanswered to me.
    I would like to know "how it works";o)

    --
    "When a man is hungry, it is better to teach him how to fish than to give him a fish." Confucius
    -2