Number of RAM sticks [duplicate]

So 2x4GB vs 1X8GB.

Assuming both 4GB and 8GB DIMMs have identical specs except for size:

  • Iff (and only if) your motherboard supports dual channel, triple channel or quad channel memory access you may see up to 5% speed gains. This very much varies per application.
  • 2 DIMMs use two sockets.
  • If each 4GB DIMM uses as much power as a 8GB DIMM it would use twice the power (mostly in the order of a few Watts though).