2GBx4 or 4GB x 2 RAM?

[seasurfer]

2GBx4 or 4GB x 2 RAM? Which one is better?

Buying full 16GB RAM now on the new iMac is just insanely expensive, I would like to upgrade to 16GB when the RAM price drop.

My question is, if I buy the 4GB x 2 RAM, and later on buy another 4GB x 2 RAM of a different brand, will that slow down the speed or cause crashes? Please let me know.

[Thermonuclear]

You want to get 2 x 4GB. Later, get another 2 x 4 GB. Pairs should come from the same manufacturer.

[CaoCao]

2GBx4 or 4GB x 2 RAM? Which one is better?

Buying full 16GB RAM now on the new iMac is just insanely expensive, I would like to upgrade to 16GB when the RAM price drop.

My question is, if I buy the 4GB x 2 RAM, and later on buy another 4GB x 2 RAM of a different brand, will that slow down the speed or cause crashes? Please let me know.

get 2x4GB from OWC so you will have the second set match as well

[jotade11]

You want to get 2 x 4GB. Later, get another 2 x 4 GB. Pairs should come from the same manufacturer.

Well, it's not crucial (no pun intended-- http://www.crucial.com/) to have the same manufacturer, correct? Can anyone back me up on this? It might yield some small margin, but a 2 x 4 GB will run faster than a 4 x 2GB and leave you with an extra 2 memory slots.

I'm no expert and this is just my understanding, so please... correct me if I'm wrong. :)

[alust2013]

As far as mixing brands goes, it really doesn't matter. They all do the same thing, so I'd get the 4GB x 2 option.

[alust2013]

Well, it's not crucial (no pun intended-- http://www.crucial.com/) to have the same manufacturer, correct? Can anyone back me up on this? It might yield some small margin, but a 2 x 4 GB will run faster than a 4 x 2GB and leave you with an extra 2 memory slots.

I'm no expert and this is just my understanding, so please... correct me if I'm wrong. :)

Well, you are close, the 4 x 2GB will actually be faster, but not by a very significant amount. But that would not be a smart buy, as you would have to replace 4 dimms rather than just add two.

[jotade11]

Well, you are close, the 4 x 2GB will actually be faster, but not by a very significant amount. But that would not be a smart buy, as you would have to replace 4 dimms rather than just add two.


Oh ok.... just out of curiosity, do you know what makes the 4 x 2GB faster? I would have thought keeping everything more localized in the 2 sticks to be faster.

[Thermonuclear]

The memory will run at 1,333 MHz regardless of brand.

The access latency model will be CL9 unless something is really weird.

See: http://eshop.macsales.com/search/DDR3+SO+1333MHz

[alust2013]

Oh ok.... just out of curiosity, do you know what makes the 4 x 2GB faster? I would have thought keeping everything more localized in the 2 sticks to be faster.

It's because the computer can access more things simultaneously with 4 sticks rather than two.

[jotade11]

Ah ok, I get it now. Thanks! :D

[Felias]

Why not go with the 2x2GB installed and add one 4GB Ram? Then you can add another 4GB later on. 12GB should definetly be sufficient for the next years imho.

[maril1111]

Why not go with the 2x2GB installed and add one 4GB Ram? Then you can add another 4GB later on. 12GB should definetly be sufficient for the next years imho.

Probably the Best Idea from all use this one it's also cheaper then buying 4 x2 which costs on average 294$ whereas 2x4 costs 283$

[Macfr3d]

Why not go with the 2x2GB installed and add one 4GB Ram? Then you can add another 4GB later on. 12GB should definetly be sufficient for the next years imho.

Thats what I would do as well. Not only is it the least expensive option also
makes the most sense if you dont't need 16GB right now but want to have
more than 8GB.