Memory layout for x99 boards

[peanuthead]

Does it matter if I have 8x4GB or 4x8GB memory layout on the x99 platform? Looks like RAM should still be as it always was, in pairs.

 

[Sycraft]

Should be done in quads on X99 boards, they are 4 channel. As for 4 DIMMS vs 8, I dunno. In theory I would think they are the same, however since it uses bank switching maybe going to 8 DIMMS slows things down, I don't know. Haven't seen a benchmark.

 

[Wizzard]

Generally, more DIMMs only very slightly decreases the ability to overclock.

I think almost 100% of today's kits will run at rated speeds with 2, 4, or 8 DIMMs all in a row. But overclocking, YMMV.

 

[Sycraft]

I don't mean overclocking, I mean normal operation. DDR4 changed things as it is point-to-point, done DIMM per memory channel. They way it handles more sticks is bank switching, meaning choosing which is active. I don't know if that has a negative performance impact or not. It doesn't necessarily have to, but it could in theory.

 

[sethiano]

Should be done in quads on X99 boards, they are 4 channel. As for 4 DIMMS vs 8, I dunno. In theory I would think they are the same, however since it uses bank switching maybe going to 8 DIMMS slows things down, I don't know. Haven't seen a benchmark.

^ this

 

[Deleted member 214115]

Sometimes the controller goes from 1T to 2T when all banks are installed with memory. Not much of a loss, but to some it can be.

 

[peanuthead]

Thanks, all.