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Does running 2 dual channel kits VS 1 quad channel kit make a difference on X79 mobo?

Masterbobo
Level 7
Honestly does it make a difference?

How can I be sure there is no difference or if there is how can I tell?

I have 2 of these kits which are badass ... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233258

But should I spend another few bills to get a REAL QUAD channel dominator kit? like this one... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233606
or this one..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233392

(keep in mind my dominator GTs are 2133 and have a latency of 9 while the quad channel kits are higher clocked kits at 2400 and have 10 & 11 latency.)

Or is there absolutely no difference and I probably cant beat my 2133 GT's with cas latency of 9? Just running 2 "dual" channel kits that I bought and not 1 "quad" channel kit?

They are just 2 "matched" pairs, this is killing me LOL should I upgrade? I mean yes they "work fine" and I don't "notice" anything, but can anyone prove that thers is NO DIFFERENCE and a complete waste of money?

I NEED TO KNOW!!! LOL

THanks in advance guys!!!
Rampage IV Extreme
55" Samsung 3D LED 1080p
19" NEC side monitor
4930k @ 3.9ghz (h100i)
Dominator GT 2133mhz 16gb
2xDomiatorGT RAM cooling fans
OCZ Vertex 4 RAID0 2x256gb
Silent Pro GOLD 1200
3xGTX 770's 4GB Windforce TRI-SLI
Sound Blaster Zx
Logitech Z5500 digital 5.1
2xLG 3D Blu ray burners
Silverstone Multi USB3 card reader
2x4terabyte WD backup sata6.0 drives
1x1terabyte WD backup sata6.0 drive
10 Antec tri cool 120mm fans
Razor Deathadder mouse
Corsair 600t
Win7-64bit
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23 REPLIES 23

Nate152
Moderator
You would want to buy one quad channel kit. You might get lucky and get two kits to work but it is not advisable but if they work just use them.

Nate152 wrote:
You would want to buy one quad channel kit. You might get lucky and get two kits to work but it is not advisable but if they work just use them.


Well when i bought these kits (2xdual channel dominator gts 4x4gb=16gb) it was the fastest memory at the time with the lowest latency, they "work" but im not sure if any performance is held back is what my concern is.. is there a way i can compare bandwith to otherw on here with a true quad channel set vs my 2;dual channel kits rinning on my quad channel board? (RIVE)
Rampage IV Extreme
55" Samsung 3D LED 1080p
19" NEC side monitor
4930k @ 3.9ghz (h100i)
Dominator GT 2133mhz 16gb
2xDomiatorGT RAM cooling fans
OCZ Vertex 4 RAID0 2x256gb
Silent Pro GOLD 1200
3xGTX 770's 4GB Windforce TRI-SLI
Sound Blaster Zx
Logitech Z5500 digital 5.1
2xLG 3D Blu ray burners
Silverstone Multi USB3 card reader
2x4terabyte WD backup sata6.0 drives
1x1terabyte WD backup sata6.0 drive
10 Antec tri cool 120mm fans
Razor Deathadder mouse
Corsair 600t
Win7-64bit

Zka17
Level 16
The main difference could be that the 2x dual channel kits would not work correctly... a quad channel kit means that at least 4 modules where selected and matched together - and you have warranty for that...

It is possible to run 2x dual channel kits, but not guaranteed... specifically, when you try to push those sticks above the default settings... - you may be lucky or not, so ultimately it's your choice... but you won't be able to RMA the dual channel kits if they're not working together...

Also, if you still choose the 2x dual channel setup (I do not recommend, but it's your choice), use the memtest86+ for at least 4 cycles before you boot into the OS... bad memory can mess up your whole OS and give you a lot of headaches... - so, 4 cycles of memtest86+ on the settings you want to use them...

Zka17 wrote:
The main difference could be that the 2x dual channel kits would not work correctly... a quad channel kit means that at least 4 modules where selected and matched together - and you have warranty for that...

It is possible to run 2x dual channel kits, but not guaranteed... specifically, when you try to push those sticks above the default settings... - you may be lucky or not, so ultimately it's your choice... but you won't be able to RMA the dual channel kits if they're not working together...

Also, if you still choose the 2x dual channel setup (I do not recommend, but it's your choice), use the memtest86+ for at least 4 cycles before you boot into the OS... bad memory can mess up your whole OS and give you a lot of headaches... - so, 4 cycles of memtest86+ on the settings you want to use them...


I havnt run memtest at all, but ive had these 2 dual channel kits running in my RIVE for over a year with no issues THAT I KNOW lol, thats my concern.. if im gimping th3 board and bandwidth in any way? Or is it that if it works, its working to its full potential regardless if its 2 x the same exact dual channel kits, or 1 quad channel kit? Also ive been running tjem on stock XMP @ 2133 with a cas lat of 9
Rampage IV Extreme
55" Samsung 3D LED 1080p
19" NEC side monitor
4930k @ 3.9ghz (h100i)
Dominator GT 2133mhz 16gb
2xDomiatorGT RAM cooling fans
OCZ Vertex 4 RAID0 2x256gb
Silent Pro GOLD 1200
3xGTX 770's 4GB Windforce TRI-SLI
Sound Blaster Zx
Logitech Z5500 digital 5.1
2xLG 3D Blu ray burners
Silverstone Multi USB3 card reader
2x4terabyte WD backup sata6.0 drives
1x1terabyte WD backup sata6.0 drive
10 Antec tri cool 120mm fans
Razor Deathadder mouse
Corsair 600t
Win7-64bit

Zka17
Level 16
If it's working then I don't see how it would be a 2x dual channel setup weaker than a single channel at the same settings...

Just divide the CAS latency number with the frequency - the lower number is better... However, that difference will show only in benchmarks, not really in everyday usage...

Zka17 wrote:
If it's working then I don't see how it would be a 2x dual channel setup weaker than a single channel at the same settings...

Just divide the CAS latency number with the frequency - the lower number is better... However, that difference will show only in benchmarks, not really in everyday usage...


Oh ok, thanks for the math, I never knew that one lol. Bascially lower latency with higher MHz is always better right? haha
Rampage IV Extreme
55" Samsung 3D LED 1080p
19" NEC side monitor
4930k @ 3.9ghz (h100i)
Dominator GT 2133mhz 16gb
2xDomiatorGT RAM cooling fans
OCZ Vertex 4 RAID0 2x256gb
Silent Pro GOLD 1200
3xGTX 770's 4GB Windforce TRI-SLI
Sound Blaster Zx
Logitech Z5500 digital 5.1
2xLG 3D Blu ray burners
Silverstone Multi USB3 card reader
2x4terabyte WD backup sata6.0 drives
1x1terabyte WD backup sata6.0 drive
10 Antec tri cool 120mm fans
Razor Deathadder mouse
Corsair 600t
Win7-64bit

Chino
Level 15
If you're looking for a normal everyday 2400MHz kit, I'd grab the G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 (PC3 19200) Desktop Memory Mode... for $189.99.

Now if you just want to have some high speed RAM for benchmarks or to show off, the G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2666 (PC3 21300) Desktop Memory Mode... goes for $289.99.

Etiher choice offers you a better bang for your buck than the Vengeance Pro and Dominator Platinums you listed earlier.

Chino wrote:
If you're looking for a normal everyday 2400MHz kit, I'd grab the G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 (PC3 19200) Desktop Memory Mode... for $189.99.

Now if you just want to have some high speed RAM for benchmarks or to show off, the G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2666 (PC3 21300) Desktop Memory Mode... goes for $289.99.

Etiher choice offers you a better bang for your buck than the Vengeance Pro and Dominator Platinums you listed earlier.


Well by my normal everyday use I mean I want the quickest system for pretty much everything I do, photo editing, extreme gaming 4k textures, surfing, watching movies, skyping, multi tasking, video converting, all while streaming music and having probably more than a dozen program and another dozen webpages running at the same time lol basically everything thats for FUN and PLAY no work at home on the pc for me!
Yea its kinda like once you have a quick setup that can multitask you never wanna take a step back you know what I mean? lol I need it to be FASTER if anything not even a smidge slower HAHA
So have you used or anyone you know used either of those quad channel kits? Their legit then?...
Rampage IV Extreme
55" Samsung 3D LED 1080p
19" NEC side monitor
4930k @ 3.9ghz (h100i)
Dominator GT 2133mhz 16gb
2xDomiatorGT RAM cooling fans
OCZ Vertex 4 RAID0 2x256gb
Silent Pro GOLD 1200
3xGTX 770's 4GB Windforce TRI-SLI
Sound Blaster Zx
Logitech Z5500 digital 5.1
2xLG 3D Blu ray burners
Silverstone Multi USB3 card reader
2x4terabyte WD backup sata6.0 drives
1x1terabyte WD backup sata6.0 drive
10 Antec tri cool 120mm fans
Razor Deathadder mouse
Corsair 600t
Win7-64bit

Arne_Saknussemm
Level 40
The proof of the pudding....

If they work they work....no hidden penalties I think...run a benchmark like maxmem and post in paw's thread...

At the end of the day the IMC (memory controler) on your particular CPU will decide what happens....some people get away with running mixed kits of Vengeance RAM in all 8 slots because their CPU has an IMC like the HULK. Others struggle to get 2133 working because they have an IMC like Woody Allen.

In general on X79 you want a quad kit. One quad kit can make 2 dual channel kits OK...the other way around is no where near guaranteed to work. Plenty of threads on here atest to that. if it does for you...all good...but that might mean you have a stron IMC that could handle some 2666? LOL

I would not go above 2400 with SB-E...2666 is not guaranteed to work and might be an expensive gamble...unless you get it from somewhere with a very lenient returns policy...