DDR3 12GB (3 x 4GB)?

how come there are not many DDR3 12GB triple channel kits available (3 x 4GB)?...the ones that are available are priced around $800 ...are more manufacturer's planning on releasing them and will they ever be more affordable?

I noticed that there are more affordable 6 x 2GB kits but I don't want to fill up all my available memory slots...plus isn't it better to get 3 sticks vs 6 sticks of memory (performance wise)?

DIMM density is the #1 expense factor when it comes to RAM, speed rating is a distant 2nd.

While 3 sticks can *typically* go farther than 6 sticks (if all the sticks are the same), the sheer volume of higher-speed 2gb DIMMs more than outweighs any issues that the memory controller might have using 6 sticks rather than 3.

Of course, then there's cost... how much is leaving three slots open worth to you? The only reason I went with 3x4 is that I might realistically need 24gb of memory at some point in the near future and didn't want to go through the hassle of swapping/selling my old sticks.

3x4GB sticks will decrease in cost eventually. Unless you need 24GBs for work related tasks, I would definitely just go 6x2GBs...

I went with 6 x 2 of G.Skill DDR3 2000 - it still wasn't cheap ($430) but $800 for a 4x3GB kit (1600mhz at that) is a bit much right now.

The usual marketing curves apply. Availability v demand