Dual Channel vs Single RAM

[Fish]

I'm doing my first FreeNAS build and I'm looking at using the SuperMicro X10-SLL-F board. As for the RAM, I'm looking at my options and am wondering...is there an advantage to using dual-channel kits as opposed to single? I've heard it was faster, but never knew by how much or if using ZFS changes that at all.

Thanks!

Edit: Specifically, I'm comparing these two.

 

[Robert Smith]

Memory modules in kits are supposed to be guaranteed to work together. There is more risk in piecing together individual sticks.

Also, some manufacturers have a nasty habit of changing memory modules but keeping old part numbers.

If your question about if 2 x 4GB will work faster than 1 x 8GB on a dual channel system, then yes it will if you place the memory in the correct slots. Just go to the max, 4 x 8GB, FreeNAS loves more memory.

 

[Fish]

Memory modules in kits are supposed to be guaranteed to work together. There is more risk in piecing together individual sticks.

Also, some manufacturers have a nasty habit of changing memory modules but keeping old part numbers.

That makes sense. I'll probably go with the dual-channel kit.

If your question about if 2 x 4GB will work faster than 1 x 8GB on a dual channel system, then yes it will if you place the memory in the correct slots. Just go to the max, 4 x 8GB, FreeNAS loves more memory.

Problem is that I'm a college student and don't exactly have $300+ to "just go to the max".

 

[Robert Smith]

Crucial is pretty consistent. I have never had a problem matching sticks from different Crucial kits.

If you plan on extending memory in the future, you could purchase 8GB sticks one at a time. Single channel makes the system a little slower, but in a NAS your bottleneck is always going to be the network, so memory speed is much less important.

Or, you can buy 2 x 4GB now (8 GB), then add 2 x 8GB later (24 GB---good amount of memory; you could stay for a while there for a typical SOHO NAS), then sell the original 2 x 4GB and add another 2 x 8GB in its place (32 GB).

 

[Ericloewe]

The Crucial model number from the X10 RAM FAQ has been spotted in a number of revisions. They all seem to have identical chips, though.

 

[joeschmuck]

@Fish

Your question about single channel vs. dual channel is an interesting one. While dual channel offers double the RAM bandwidth and the memory portion of your system becomes capable of being faster, the real question I think you are asking is will this make any substantial affect to your FreeNAS system? I say No, you will not notice the difference at all. Holly crap, these are PC3 speed chips, that is damn fast!

Also, if you plan to upgrade your RAM to 16GB at a later date then I would highly recommend the single 8GB stick option now to you. As the guys above have stated, they say Crucial is a sound way to go, you just need to purchase the second stick with the same speed specs and you should be fine.

 

[Fish]

@Fish

Your question about single channel vs. dual channel is an interesting one. While dual channel offers double the RAM bandwidth and the memory portion of your system becomes capable of being faster, the real question I think you are asking is will this make any substantial affect to your FreeNAS system? I say No, you will not notice the difference at all. Holly crap, these are PC3 speed chips, that is damn fast!

Also, if you plan to upgrade your RAM to 16GB at a later date then I would highly recommend the single 8GB stick option now to you. As the guys above have stated, they say Crucial is a sound way to go, you just need to purchase the second stick with the same speed specs and you should be fine.

Thank you, this is what I was looking for. I'll probably just go with the single stick then. It will also make troubleshooting easier later if it ever goes bad.