[KenRC51]

I've been out of date since the i7 930. Back then I bought a triple channel ram for my motherboard.

Now, I want to upgrade to a i7 2700k. I see that there are no triple channel ram anymore or not selling a 3 stick ram config. All I see are 2 stick which means dual right?

Is the 2 or 4 (dual) stick better than having 3 or 6 (triple)?

[redduc900]

There are still triple channel kits available, these G.Skill 6GB (3 x 2GB) kits for example...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...3%20x%202GB%29

... or these 12GB (3 x 4GB) kits:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...3%20x%204GB%29

[KenRC51]

would it be better get get a triple channel with a i7 2600k on a lga 1155 using one 3 of the 4 slots or get dual channel using all 4 slots?

[QBobWatson]

Originally Posted by KenRC51

would it be better get get a triple channel with a i7 2600k on a lga 1155 using one 3 of the 4 slots or get dual channel using all 4 slots?

The i7-2600k is a dual-channel memory architecture. That means it can only access two of the four sticks of RAM at once, so there's no reason to get a triple channel kit. I'd probably go for a quality dual-channel kit; if you want the extra memory, two dual-channel kits would work as long as they have similar specs. Be sure to pair the kits so that the two sticks from each kit are on separate channels!

BTW a 2-1 configuration with 3 sticks of RAM is generally not advisable.

[KenRC51]

Originally Posted by QBobWatson

The i7-2600k is a dual-channel memory architecture. That means it can only access two of the four sticks of RAM at once, so there's no reason to get a triple channel kit. I'd probably go for a quality dual-channel kit; if you want the extra memory, two dual-channel kits would work as long as they have similar specs. Be sure to pair the kits so that the two sticks from each kit are on separate channels!

BTW a 2-1 configuration with 3 sticks of RAM is generally not advisable.

Thanks, that was what I was looking for.

Can i put 2x4gb on 2 slots and 2x8gb on the other 2 slots?

[hokiealumnus]

That would also not be advisable. Mixing-and-matching RAM tends to not go so well. If you're lucky you can run the RAM at the lower of the two set's speed, looser of the two's timings and the higher of the two's voltage. If you're not so lucky, you'll end up with slower speed, possibly looser timings and/or higher-than-rated voltage to get mis-matched RAM to play well together.

I'd recommend getting a new dual-channel kit and selling your triple channel kit. Alternatively, you could just run two of the three sticks from your current kit and be happy but it sounds like you're after more capacity than that.

[KenRC51]

Originally Posted by hokiealumnus

That would also not be advisable. Mixing-and-matching RAM tends to not go so well. If you're lucky you can run the RAM at the lower of the two set's speed, looser of the two's timings and the higher of the two's voltage. If you're not so lucky, you'll end up with slower speed, possibly looser timings and/or higher-than-rated voltage to get mis-matched RAM to play well together.

I'd recommend getting a new dual-channel kit and selling your triple channel kit. Alternatively, you could just run two of the three sticks from your current kit and be happy but it sounds like you're after more capacity than that.

Oh forgot to mention, I also have an AMD build that I have 2x4gb corsair vengeance dual channel. I plan to use those 2x4gb ram and add another 2x8gb corsair vengeance of the same specs. Is that possible?

I have the X6 1090t and asus formula iv and not happy with the speed when processing photos and photo editing. I feel like my i7 930 is a little faster than the x6 but the x6 is my main computer in photo editing.