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3400MHz 16GB (2x8GB) vs 3200MHz 32GB (4x8GB) optimum performance and requirements
After much research into DDR4 ram, including considering all the top manufacturers and at times being close, have come to the conclusion that G.Skill Ripjaws and Trident Z are amongst the very best. I have ended up choosing Trident Z for its optimum quality, also like the looks of best 
and the top performance, quality,and its the premium range. I have just about decided, am awaiting the Ram on order, worth waiting for and am still awaiting an air cooler that I decided to go for instead of budget to mid range water cooling and am not planning on record over-clocking or heavy gaming, but wanted the best most reliable and fast OC Ram of at least 3000MHz and up to 3400MHz.
I posted the following to a top enthusiast hardware computing site,and it was suggested by a well experienced quality contributor that I go for 32GB, probably because of the software I have, which is a good choice, but then again they both have their advantages, so thought I may pose the same question here as its totally whether to go for the Trident Zs or the Trident Zs:
I have all the kit assembled for a new Skylake 6700K build and have left the ram to last as has been rapidly changing and at last become more affordable for very high specs. My question could relate to any make of DDR4 RAMM, but have decide din favour of G.Skill TridentZ as one of the best, although had also come close to going for Corsair Vengeance Pro, but eventually gone for the Trident as in many ways it's on a par to Corsair Dominator platinum, but seems better value.
My PC setup is primarily as workstation for Microsoft Office suite, including mostly Word, OneNote and Visio, multiple open browsers and open tabs, also working with Dragon Naturally Speaking professional, qualitative data analytic software. I also have music production software, with Cubase, Halion and Steinberg VST instruments, with the largest set Halion Symphonic orchestra that specifies minimum requirements as 4GB Ram Photoshop photo editing Premiere Pro and After Effects, also Sony Vegas Pro for video production hobbies, using the Adobe suite.
Although this software when used by professionals may require 32 or even 64Gb GB for optimum working, if adding some professional VST libraries can be much more Ram intensive than the standard Steinberg ones I use, or for advanced layers or 4K video rendering, for my usage though, I don’t usually require anywhere near as much capacity, as I am not running a studio. I only use 1080p video and am a beginner with Photoshop with 12 megapixel photos and video compositing it Isn't my main area that I use my PC for, as am not a professional musician or video editor, so it is more for my own rather than productive use.
After much consideration have come to deciding between 2 DDR4 ram kits, based on optimum quality and affordability:
F4-3400C16D-16GTZ
http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f4-3400c16d-16gtz
Alternatively for £28 more but twice the amount of Ram, but also one step lower in speed and GTZB instead of GTZ so possibly not as tight a Cas latency at the extreme:
F4-3200C16Q-32GTZB
http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f4-3200c16q-32gtzb
I also noticed the following: F4-3200C16Q-32GTZ
http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f4-3200c16q-32gtz
This is also 32Gb and in a 4 dimm set, GTZ with slightly tighter Cas latency sequence. It also does not seem to be as readily available, so the decision appears to be between the 2 sets above this one.
I would've also considered the 3400 in 32GB sets, but the much higher price at about double makes it far over budget.
All are Trident Z series, specifically designed and tested for Skylake. Both specified as premium, so if considered the GTZB wondered if quality as good, but would seem to be except possibly tested speed is not a tight, but build quality as good. Also GTZ in same capacity and speed tend to be slightly more expensive, probably due to the tighter tested speeds. This may limit overclocking above the tested figures possibly. But if over clocking to less than tested maximum speed may mean both GTZ and GTZB may perform close to or even equal , with the main difference being in pushing it to the tested limit.
My mainboard is an Asus Z170-A, so is Skylake dual channel, with 4 dimms. It has all the features and specifications required, but has a limit, as do most of the boards up to midrange of 4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 3466(O.C.) The mainboard having limit of 3466 (OC) means that the 3400MHz set presumably could be clocked at 3400 or possibly 3466 with a few tweaks to maximise performance on the board. Then again the 3200MHz set would also run well at that speed and possibly could also get closer to the board limit.
I would like to know if GTZ vs GTZB is also a factor consider or is only related to pushing speeds to limit of tested frequencies and otherwise would perform just as well up to that point, which I think it possibly will do, as both types are premium DDR4 Trident Z series and so are both high quality.
But an important factor is that as the 16Gb 3400MHz set is still not quite as expensive as the 32GB 3200MHz set, if I only actually require 16Gb I may as well have the absolute optimum in performance at a lower cost as the spare ram capacity would not be utilised. But of course for a relatively small amount more could double Ram capacity, with slightly lower but still very high performance.
There is another factor, in one set using all 4 Ram DIMM slots on the mainboard, whilst the other uses just two. As long as used in matched pairs and sets that are compatible, and the Trident Z are specifically designed to be used on Skylake boards, so they should perform very well as a full set using all 4 DIMM slots. But from many previous comments on this board and from the internet that I've read on this, it is meant to relate to stress on IMC memory controller. I have also read in one review though, that the Skylake i7 5700K processor is meant to have one of the best and strongest memory controllers yet. This may mean the extra stress may not effect durability of the processor to the same extent as may have done in earlier models, and may not even have any detrimental effect any more at all.
Very often people also make suggestion of using 2 slots means can add more ram later, but also often correctly emphasised since DDR3 and 4 and especially with higher frequencies and overclocking mixing ram sets is not recommended, as need to be manufactured at same time and selected as a set. This means if want to upgrade capacity or type with later innovations, would need to replace the entire set, so the main factor is on performance.
I have also read 16Gb modules may not necessarily perform as well as 8Gb ones, but not sure on this, but could mean 4x8 may in some respects be better than 2x16. There seems to be very little information available on-line that compares performance of 4GB, 8Gb and 16Gb individual modules of same frequencies and Cas latencies with one another.
But also using 4 dimms does mean doubling voltage and possibly adding heat, I seem to have read somewhere possibly by as much as 10 c and if so needs to be considered. The Asus mainboard instructions does mention if using all 4 dimm slots to ensure adequate cooling though, so perhaps it does mean increased heat, but then again that may only be important if there isn't sufficient overall cooling, although the using of all dimms may add to heat that needs to be dissipated. As long using all 4 DIMM slots isn't a major factor in affecting CPU durability though, and the board and processor are designed to work with 4 DIMMS and at double capacity of 32GB for that matter, with 4x16GB up to 64GB, then it may no longer be as important as it used to be, or be important at all in this case. It may mean using all 4 DIMMs in a matched set may even perform just as well as using one matched pair.
All the software would work with either RAM though. So it’s a series of trade-offs, if I opt for 16GB when 32GB may have been better, although most of the time I expect 16 GB would be sufficient and for my primary uses of the PC that may be optimum using al the current software. However if 16 GB is sufficient for the vast majority of the time on the PC then there isn't really any trade-offs and the highest performing 16GB set would then seem to be the best choice.
So in summary I'm wanting to decide which set to go for, either the very highest performance 3400MHz GTZ C16 16GB (2x8GB) or the also very high performance 3200MHz GTZB also C16 32GB (4x8GB). If 16GB is sufficient though, for the way I use my PC, then that would be the optimum. But if 32GB were needed, then a slightly lower performance, together with using all 4 DIMM slots, but still with high performance, would then be the best option.
Any good advice in deciding would be appreciated. Also points mentioned may be of interest to many, enabling various factors to be considered or debated, that could help others decide on how best to set up their PCs too.
For several days, weeks I stayed with the 3400MHz 16GB order, then as had to wait patiently as both sets have been in short supply and very new, then changed it to 3200MHz 32GB. Now can change back or stay the same, once it arrives I would have to pay extra postage to swap if don't open, once opened shall of course install it and am sure shall be pleased with either choice. If only the 3400MHz 32Gb set was much closer cost to 3200MHz, but its a big difference
anyway a few areas of debate and any recommendations appreciated. I shall follow up a post when I receive the order and install and use it, I'm sure I shall be well pleased with either set.
and the top performance, quality,and its the premium range. I have just about decided, am awaiting the Ram on order, worth waiting for and am still awaiting an air cooler that I decided to go for instead of budget to mid range water cooling and am not planning on record over-clocking or heavy gaming, but wanted the best most reliable and fast OC Ram of at least 3000MHz and up to 3400MHz.I posted the following to a top enthusiast hardware computing site,and it was suggested by a well experienced quality contributor that I go for 32GB, probably because of the software I have, which is a good choice, but then again they both have their advantages, so thought I may pose the same question here as its totally whether to go for the Trident Zs or the Trident Zs:
I have all the kit assembled for a new Skylake 6700K build and have left the ram to last as has been rapidly changing and at last become more affordable for very high specs. My question could relate to any make of DDR4 RAMM, but have decide din favour of G.Skill TridentZ as one of the best, although had also come close to going for Corsair Vengeance Pro, but eventually gone for the Trident as in many ways it's on a par to Corsair Dominator platinum, but seems better value.
My PC setup is primarily as workstation for Microsoft Office suite, including mostly Word, OneNote and Visio, multiple open browsers and open tabs, also working with Dragon Naturally Speaking professional, qualitative data analytic software. I also have music production software, with Cubase, Halion and Steinberg VST instruments, with the largest set Halion Symphonic orchestra that specifies minimum requirements as 4GB Ram Photoshop photo editing Premiere Pro and After Effects, also Sony Vegas Pro for video production hobbies, using the Adobe suite.
Although this software when used by professionals may require 32 or even 64Gb GB for optimum working, if adding some professional VST libraries can be much more Ram intensive than the standard Steinberg ones I use, or for advanced layers or 4K video rendering, for my usage though, I don’t usually require anywhere near as much capacity, as I am not running a studio. I only use 1080p video and am a beginner with Photoshop with 12 megapixel photos and video compositing it Isn't my main area that I use my PC for, as am not a professional musician or video editor, so it is more for my own rather than productive use.
After much consideration have come to deciding between 2 DDR4 ram kits, based on optimum quality and affordability:
F4-3400C16D-16GTZ
http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f4-3400c16d-16gtz
Alternatively for £28 more but twice the amount of Ram, but also one step lower in speed and GTZB instead of GTZ so possibly not as tight a Cas latency at the extreme:
F4-3200C16Q-32GTZB
http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f4-3200c16q-32gtzb
I also noticed the following: F4-3200C16Q-32GTZ
http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f4-3200c16q-32gtz
This is also 32Gb and in a 4 dimm set, GTZ with slightly tighter Cas latency sequence. It also does not seem to be as readily available, so the decision appears to be between the 2 sets above this one.
I would've also considered the 3400 in 32GB sets, but the much higher price at about double makes it far over budget.
All are Trident Z series, specifically designed and tested for Skylake. Both specified as premium, so if considered the GTZB wondered if quality as good, but would seem to be except possibly tested speed is not a tight, but build quality as good. Also GTZ in same capacity and speed tend to be slightly more expensive, probably due to the tighter tested speeds. This may limit overclocking above the tested figures possibly. But if over clocking to less than tested maximum speed may mean both GTZ and GTZB may perform close to or even equal , with the main difference being in pushing it to the tested limit.
My mainboard is an Asus Z170-A, so is Skylake dual channel, with 4 dimms. It has all the features and specifications required, but has a limit, as do most of the boards up to midrange of 4 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR4 3466(O.C.) The mainboard having limit of 3466 (OC) means that the 3400MHz set presumably could be clocked at 3400 or possibly 3466 with a few tweaks to maximise performance on the board. Then again the 3200MHz set would also run well at that speed and possibly could also get closer to the board limit.
I would like to know if GTZ vs GTZB is also a factor consider or is only related to pushing speeds to limit of tested frequencies and otherwise would perform just as well up to that point, which I think it possibly will do, as both types are premium DDR4 Trident Z series and so are both high quality.
But an important factor is that as the 16Gb 3400MHz set is still not quite as expensive as the 32GB 3200MHz set, if I only actually require 16Gb I may as well have the absolute optimum in performance at a lower cost as the spare ram capacity would not be utilised. But of course for a relatively small amount more could double Ram capacity, with slightly lower but still very high performance.
There is another factor, in one set using all 4 Ram DIMM slots on the mainboard, whilst the other uses just two. As long as used in matched pairs and sets that are compatible, and the Trident Z are specifically designed to be used on Skylake boards, so they should perform very well as a full set using all 4 DIMM slots. But from many previous comments on this board and from the internet that I've read on this, it is meant to relate to stress on IMC memory controller. I have also read in one review though, that the Skylake i7 5700K processor is meant to have one of the best and strongest memory controllers yet. This may mean the extra stress may not effect durability of the processor to the same extent as may have done in earlier models, and may not even have any detrimental effect any more at all.
Very often people also make suggestion of using 2 slots means can add more ram later, but also often correctly emphasised since DDR3 and 4 and especially with higher frequencies and overclocking mixing ram sets is not recommended, as need to be manufactured at same time and selected as a set. This means if want to upgrade capacity or type with later innovations, would need to replace the entire set, so the main factor is on performance.
I have also read 16Gb modules may not necessarily perform as well as 8Gb ones, but not sure on this, but could mean 4x8 may in some respects be better than 2x16. There seems to be very little information available on-line that compares performance of 4GB, 8Gb and 16Gb individual modules of same frequencies and Cas latencies with one another.
But also using 4 dimms does mean doubling voltage and possibly adding heat, I seem to have read somewhere possibly by as much as 10 c and if so needs to be considered. The Asus mainboard instructions does mention if using all 4 dimm slots to ensure adequate cooling though, so perhaps it does mean increased heat, but then again that may only be important if there isn't sufficient overall cooling, although the using of all dimms may add to heat that needs to be dissipated. As long using all 4 DIMM slots isn't a major factor in affecting CPU durability though, and the board and processor are designed to work with 4 DIMMS and at double capacity of 32GB for that matter, with 4x16GB up to 64GB, then it may no longer be as important as it used to be, or be important at all in this case. It may mean using all 4 DIMMs in a matched set may even perform just as well as using one matched pair.
All the software would work with either RAM though. So it’s a series of trade-offs, if I opt for 16GB when 32GB may have been better, although most of the time I expect 16 GB would be sufficient and for my primary uses of the PC that may be optimum using al the current software. However if 16 GB is sufficient for the vast majority of the time on the PC then there isn't really any trade-offs and the highest performing 16GB set would then seem to be the best choice.
So in summary I'm wanting to decide which set to go for, either the very highest performance 3400MHz GTZ C16 16GB (2x8GB) or the also very high performance 3200MHz GTZB also C16 32GB (4x8GB). If 16GB is sufficient though, for the way I use my PC, then that would be the optimum. But if 32GB were needed, then a slightly lower performance, together with using all 4 DIMM slots, but still with high performance, would then be the best option.
Any good advice in deciding would be appreciated. Also points mentioned may be of interest to many, enabling various factors to be considered or debated, that could help others decide on how best to set up their PCs too.
For several days, weeks I stayed with the 3400MHz 16GB order, then as had to wait patiently as both sets have been in short supply and very new, then changed it to 3200MHz 32GB. Now can change back or stay the same, once it arrives I would have to pay extra postage to swap if don't open, once opened shall of course install it and am sure shall be pleased with either choice. If only the 3400MHz 32Gb set was much closer cost to 3200MHz, but its a big difference
anyway a few areas of debate and any recommendations appreciated. I shall follow up a post when I receive the order and install and use it, I'm sure I shall be well pleased with either set.
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