09 octad .. ram optimal configuration question

[jetjaguar]

im looking at moving up to 16gb of ram in the near future .. originally i was planning on going with 8x2gb sticks .. is this optimal or is there a better way to do and keep triple channel .. currently have 6x1gb sticks

 

[dazey]

Try looking over at barefeats.com I believe their conclusion was that optimal is to keep the 2 pairs of 3 and not fill up the last two slots (so you would be better off with 3x4GB, 3x2GB). My memory is not infallible though so have a look for their research

 

[Umbongo]

You can even go 4,4,4, & 2,1,1 if you like, but you may not even notice any real difference between the maximum bandwidth of a triple channel setup and that of the dual channel interleave you get with 8 slots filled.

 

[CCK]

When I was looking at getting an 09 this was a concern to me and if it's the same with the 2010's... Is this just OWC ram that there *special note refers to?

*Special note-
4GB Module sets require that all installed modules be of the same kind OWC 4GB module (p/n OWC8566D3MPE4GB).

 

[Cynicalone]

To keep triple channel you would need to go with 4GB modules in 6 slots. Or 2GB modules in 6 slots. Or mix the pairs to get to 16GB. You get the idea. Just keep it to 3 Pairs in 6 slots.

Something like two pairs of 2GB sticks with a pair of 4GB sticks will give you 16GB in triple channel configuration.

 

[jetjaguar]

so damn confusing

 

[Umbongo]

Fill it with 2GB DIMMs and don't worry about it.

 

[Techhie]

so damn confusing

The bottom line: there is almost no benefit to using a triple channel config vs. dual. Fill up the slots, it will be cheaper and give you more memory/options.

 

[lemonade-maker]

Fill it with 2GB DIMMs and don't worry about it.

Yup. Or 4GB ones.