Is Four Sticks Of RAM Slower Than Two?

Most people know that more memory improves a computer’s performance. However, equal amounts of RAM can be installed in various configurations. For example, the same 16 GB can be split into two sticks of 8 GB each or four sticks of 4 GB each. So, which of these arrangements is likely to be faster?

The Short Answer

Four sticks of RAM aren’t usually slower than two as long as all the other attributes of the two memory sets are equal. However, even in quad-channel systems, where they double bandwidth, they may not improve performance sufficiently to justify the additional expenditure.

Factors to Consider

When deciding whether four sticks of RAM are better than two, several factors come into play:

• Motherboard and Processor Capability: Are your motherboard and processor quad-channel capable?
• Frequency and Timing: Do the frequency and timing of the four RAM sticks match perfectly?
• Application Demands: Do the computational tasks you most frequently perform rely significantly on your processor, as opposed to your graphics card?

These questions will determine whether four sticks of RAM are indeed better than two for your needs. Let’s delve into the factors affecting RAM performance to provide more clarity.

Factors That Affect RAM Performance

1. RAM Capacity

While the amount of RAM is not the only factor, it is significant. Many processing-intensive applications come with a recommended minimum installed RAM capacity. Heavy applications will not load without the necessary RAM capacity. Generally speaking, the more RAM, the better. However, you’ll want to get only as much as you need, with a little headroom. RAM today is sufficiently cheap that consumers can build rigs with 16-32 GB without breaking the bank.

2. RAM Frequency

When people refer to RAM speed, they usually mean the frequency of a module, expressed in megahertz (MHz). A RAM module rated at 3,200 MHz can perform 3.2 billion read-write cycles per second. While faster RAM generally performs better, different generations of similar speed can significantly affect performance.

3. Timing

Latency or timing is the time it takes from when your processor hands the RAM a task to when it delivers. While speed and timing are closely related, they differ in crucial areas. Some applications may be much more dependent on lower latency than others. However, many tasks are now handed off to other components, such as the graphics card.

4. Number of RAM Channels

RAM channels describe carrying capacity. Most consumers use RAM in a DDR (Dual Data Rate) setup. The DDR label implies that each pair of sticks delivers twice as many signals per clock cycle as a single stick. For instance, a DDR4 RAM stick rated at 3200 MHz and running in a single channel will operate at 1,600 MHz or lower, while the same capacity split across two identical speed sticks will operate at 3,200 MHz together.

Quad Data Rate RAM (QDR): Many high-end motherboards and server boards can perform QDR, effectively quadrupling the bandwidth available for the same capacity of RAM as a single stick. However, its impact on consumer applications is marginal in most cases.

5. Other Components in Your Computer

Your RAM is one of the critical components affecting your computer’s performance. Other components, such as the processor and GPU, play significant roles. Advanced processors are usually faster and use multiple threads for parallel processing, making more demands on RAM. Compatibility between various components is essential.

6. The Applications You Use Most Often

With many applications now tapping your graphics card’s VRAM, you’ll also want to consider what applications you commonly use before upgrading. Processor-intensive applications will require more RAM than GPU-intensive applications. Ensure you have a capable processor to take advantage of your RAM.

Should You Get 4 or 2 Sticks of the Equivalent Amount of RAM?

Based on the factors discussed, the benefits of using 2 sticks of RAM are:

• It is usually cheaper than buying 4 sticks.
• You’re most likely not working on a QDR-capable board with a QDR-capable processor that can properly exploit the benefits of 4 sticks.
• Even on QDR-capable systems, 4 sticks may not offer superior performance to 2 sticks of RAM.
• Your GPU is more likely to be the performance bottleneck based on how applications are now designed.
• Leaving slots free gives you room to add more later.

While a 4-stick configuration is unlikely to be slower than a 2-stick system, its only benefit over the latter is increased bandwidth. If you are using applications that specifically require maximum bandwidth, a 4-stick configuration may work better for you.

Conclusion

In most cases, 2 sticks of RAM will suffice for general use and offer better cost-efficiency. However, for specific applications requiring maximum bandwidth, a 4-stick configuration might be beneficial. Always ensure your CPU is the current limiting factor in your system, not your GPU.

Your money might be better spent upgrading your graphics card than on additional RAM if the performance enhancements are marginal at best.